A new restaurant, a wrestling tournament, a cider fest and free fitness. Here’s your weekend in Dubai sorted…

THURSDAY 21

1. Get walking

This weekend a slice of Kite Beach is being turned into a walkway with miniature monuments from across the world as part of Dubai Government’s ‘Good Move’ initiative (which hopes to boost health and fitness across the UAE by 2021). Head down and you’ll find on-site challenges at the beach (and rewards too), download the ‘Good Move Dubai’ app for more information.

Kite Beach, Dubai, Jumeirah. 2pm to 8pm, Thursday, 2pm to 10pm, Friday and 2pm to 10pm Saturday. More info on website.

2. Head to a cider festival

50 craft brews, many barbecued meats and a live band too – sound like your dream day/night out? Well check out Reform Social & Grill’s Cider & Craft Beer Fest, which starts today and continues on Friday and Saturday.

Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, Dubai. From 6pm on Thursday and 2pm on Friday and Saturday. Free entry, and then Dhs200 for five drink tokens or Dhs350 for 10 drink tokens. Tel: (04) 454 2638. More info here. 

3. Dine out for Dhs99

There’s a two week food festival running at Jumeirah Beach Hotel right now which means special offers at all seven of the restaurants. Afternoon tea at Palm Court is Dhs99, or a three-course lunch or dinner at La Veranda, D&A or Waterfront is Dhs99. Or, if all inclusive is more your thing, head to the buffet lunch or dinner at Latitude and Beachcombers for Dhs130 (there’s 50 per cent off all of the prices for children under 12 too).

Until April 30, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Road, various times. Tel: (04) 432 3232. More info on website.

FRIDAY 22

4. Watch Dubai’s best wrestlers in the ring

Last week we saw the world’s best wrestlers in action for WWE and tonight those from the Dubai wrestling scene will be getting into the ring in Al Quoz. You’ll see the world’s only female Arab wrestler Joelle Hunter (pictured) in action, as well as wrestlers from the UK, New Zealand, Lebanon, India, Afghanistan and more.

HM Fitness Centre, Al Quoz, Dubai. Doors open 6.30pm, show starts 7pm. More info on website. 

5. Go to a free yoga class

There’s a two-hour full moon yoga class on Kite Beach tonight that’s completely free, all you need to do is bring your mat and your willingness to set intentions out to the universe and all that jazz.

Kite Beach, Jumeirah, Dubai, 6pm to 8pm. Free but make sure to register at lifestyleyogadubai.com. More info on Facebook. 

6. See a Shakespearean play

Are you team Capulet or Montague? Romeo+Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s absolute classics (and let’s be honest, it’s one of his more accessible plays), and this weekend the British Council is putting on a production of the tragic romance because it’s the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. Thursday and Saturday’s shows are sold out, but there are still tickets for tonight’s late night show.

Ductac, Mall of The Emirates, Barsha. 10.30pm, Dhs100. Tel: (04) 341 4777. Buy tickets here.

7. Try modern Canadian cuisine

Weslodge Saloon is a new spot on the 68^th floor of the JW Marriot Marquis that serves modern Canadian cuisine in a fun and unfussy environment (there’s a Weslodge in Toronto already). The maple-glazed fried chicken is a must as are the inventive salads and smoked drinks. Vibe-wise it’s like a Western-saloon meets a Baroque drawing room (the main picture on this story with all that art? That’s the restaurant).

68^th Floor, Tower B, JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay, daily from 6pm to late. Tel: (04) 560 1700. Taxi: Marriott Marquis. More info on Facebook.

8. See Irish stand up

Jason Byrne is an Irish radio host and a very funny comedian. Thing is, he’s sharp as a knife and is known for picking on his audience, so don’t wear bright colours if you’re going to see him. Well, unless audience participation is your thing.

McGettigans, JLT, Dubai. Dhs150. Show from 8.30pm. Buy tickets here.

9. Or celebrate more traditional Irish arts

In other Irish news, there’s a show on at the Madinat Theatre tonight that celebrates 100 years of Ireland’s drive for independence (which began with the 1916 rising). The show will be made up of two parts – first there will be a play called The Shadow of a Gunman and the second part of the evening will be a collection of classic Irish dance, song and poetry.

Madinat Theatre, Madinat Jumeirah. Dhs100 to Dhs200. 2.30pm or 7.30pm Friday and Saturday. More info on website.

10. Dub on a rooftop

One of the best gigs of the weekend will definitely be Mad Professor’s live electronic dub show on Story Rooftop Lounge tonight (the sound system is huge). The Mad Prof’ has five albums under the Black Liberation banner and a dozen more under his Dub Me Crazy series. He’s a bona fide dub legend. Also providing tunes on the night will be P Money, Matt Jam Lamont, SpectraSoul, Kahn and Sir Spyro.

Story Rooftop Lounge, Holiday Inn Express, Dubai Internet City. Dhs100, 5pm to 3am. More info on Facebook. 

11. Celebrate the full moon

Nasimi’s Full Moon Party is back tonight and there’s free admission all night. Flying in for the party is DJ duo Chase & Status (who have collab’ed with people like Rihanna, Example and Cee Lo Green). So if you fancy dancing near the ocean and getting sand in between your toes, this is for you.

Nasimi at Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah. 7pm to 3am, free entry. Tel: (055) 200 4321. More info on Facebook.

SATURDAY 23

12. Nibble on Blahniks

Raffles’ afternoon teas are some of the best in the city, and the new Manolo Blahnik afternoon tea looks pretty special. (Yes, it does mean you’ll be eating little cake shaped shoes of an afternoon.) On your fancy cake stand you’ll find peach praline choc stilettos and a sour cherry hat stand.

Raffles Salon, Raffles Dubai, Oud Metha. 2pm to 7pm, daily, until September 30. Dhs249 for two people, or Dhs449 for two with a flute of bubbles. Tel: (04) 324 8888. More info on website.

13. Eat cheap sushi

ET Sushi is celebrating its 16th birthday, so for the whole weekend they’re serving up plates of sushi for Dhs16 only (today’s the last day). There are also Dhs16 drinks at Harry Ghatto’s next door if you want to keep the celebrations going.

Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road. 12pm to 3pm and 7pm to 11.30pm, last day today. Tel: (04) 319 8793. More info on website.

14. Hear from bold women

Today at Ductac you’ll find BOLDtalks, a one-day event that sees international speakers – all women – talk about wellness, education, empowerment, art, culture and more. Hear from Natasha Dahdaleh, an Arab woman that wears many hats – artist, drummer, and more. There will also be a talk from Josephine Kulea, a nurse who set up a foundation to help girls in rural Africa.

Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, 10am to 3pm, Dhs200. Buy tickets here. More info on website.