Your Dubai weekend sorted…

Halloween parties, pop culture fests, diving competitions (in the middle of Dubai Marina). There’s a lot to do in the emirate this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know…

Thursday 27

1. Feast on PopCon

Hosted by Giuliana Rancic, there’s a three-day pop culture event at Dubai Outlet Mall this weekend that involves a BeautyFest featuring celebrity makeup artists and guest appearances from Sons of Anarchy star Theo Rossi, Deadpool‘s Brianna Hilderbrand and famous fighter Randy Couture. There are heaps of panels and activities – read all about the timings of them here. Entry to the event itself is free, but you can then pay for extra experiences – for instance, a meet and greet with Randy Couture is Dhs300, while a Marvel Geek Pack that gives you extra access to all things Marvel Universe is Dhs525.

Dubai Outlet Mall, Al Ain Road, Dubai. 12pm to 10pm today until Saturday. Free entry (more details on ticketed events here). 

2. Go to a big, brash, Bavarian bash

This is your last weekend to visit JW Marriott’s Oktoberfest: held in Hofbräuhaus this party is all about cold cuts, Bavarian brews, pretzels with Obatda and Appelstrudel (yum). It’s a high calorie event, yes, but it’s the freaking weekend, so who cares?

Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, Deira, Dubai, daily 6pm to 3am, Dhs295 with soft drinks, Dhs395 with house drinks (Thursday and Friday only). Tel: (04) 607 7977. More info on website. 

3. Celebrate Diwali with food

Diwali falls this Sunday, and to celebrate the festival of lights excellent Indian restaurant Junoon is putting on a special four-course meal over the weekend, starting today ending Sunday. The restaurant was born in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, and there’s now one in the Shangri-La in Dubai: it’s one of the top spots for posh Indian nosh in the city. The vege Diwali menu is Dhs225 for food only, the non-veg is Dhs255 – and dishes include Bhutta Amritsari, Vilayati Subzi, Zimikand Ki Shikampuri and Gosht Ki Gilawat.

Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. 7pm to midnight, daily. Tel: (04) 405 2717. More info on website.

4. Listen to a legend of Filipino rock

Bamboo is an absolute superstar in the Philippines and is known for classics Awit ng Kabataan, Ulan and Himala. In Dubai he’ll be pumping out his hits, new and old, as well as doing some covers from Robbie Williams and Bruno Mars.

Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai. 6pm, Dhs125 to Dhs175. Tel: (04) 332 1000. More info and tickets here.

5. Flip Out (literally)

New trampoline park Flip Out is hosting a Halloween party tonight which means 200 interconnected trampolines and scary folk hiding to pounce on you as you bounce. Sounds like our worst nightmare and yet also kind of fun all at once. Joining the spooky jump-fest will cost you Dhs70 per hour (and then Dhs50 for every hour after that). Plus, entry to the Haunted House is free when you buy two hours or more.

4th Street, Al Quoz. Tonight 5pm to 10pm (and also Sunday and Monday night 5pm to 10pm). Tel: (600) 567568. More info on website.

*ALSO READ: Your guide to 16 Halloween parties in Dubai this weekend*

Friday 28

6. Baila at Fiesta de los Muertos

Major Lazer, DNCE, the All Saints, The Mariachis, Carla’s Dream and Hollaphonic – need we continue to explain why you should go to this party at the Autism Rocks arena tonight? There’s something for everyone – we’re particularly excited about The Mariachis, who cover well-known pop classics – from The Human League to East 17 – with a Latin twist. Oh, and we’re psyched about the All Saints too (#FlashbackFriday).

Autism Rocks Arena, Al Ain Road, Dubai. From Dhs350. More info and tickets here.

7. Relax, shop, eat and stretch at a wellness centre

Life’n One is a super cute wellness centre in Jumeirah 1 (we particularly love their healthy, plant-based cafe). The team there are celebrating their second anniversary today and tomorrow with a two-day artisan market, as well as free yoga and Pilates classes and inspirational mind and body talks every hour on the hour from 9am to 7pm. What a Zen way to spend the weekend.

Street 27-b, Community 332, Villa 5/1b, Jumeirah 1. Free entry. Tel: (04) 343 6676. More event info on Facebook.

8. Check out Dubai Design Week

Today is your last day to explore cutting edge design from the region and beyond at d3. There are more than 120 exhibitions, talks and workshops: here’s a list of our pick of the bunch to help you choose what to check out.

 Dubai Design District (d3), Dubai, various times, last day today. Tel: (04) 563 1408. More info on website.

9. Watch the Globetrotters spin and dunk

Basketball’s most famous exhibitionists, The Harlem Globetrotters, are marking their 90th anniversary this year, and the latest version of the team is in Dubai this weekend to show off their distinct brand of sport showmanship. The Dubai show will feature Big Easy Lofton, Hi-Lite Bruton and Thunder Law. Should be good fun.

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Al Garhoud, Dubai, 7pm, Dhs75 to Dhs1,200. Tel: (04) 274 3555. Buy tickets here. 

10. Watch divers leap off Pier 7

Yes a bunch of crazy cats are going to jump off Pier 7 tonight as part of the Red Bull Cliffdiving comp. This is the first time that the World Series has come to the UAE and it’s extra special, as this is the all-important final. Sixteen divers will be looking to impress judges with some slick midair moves before plummeting into the water below. The divers will warm up from 9pm, and will then dive until 11.10pm (which is the men’s final). You could book a seat in a restaurant nearby or just stand along the waterfront to watch the action (expect crowds though as last night there were a few warm-up dives and a crowd gathered quickly even then).

October 28, Pier 7, Dubai Marina, Dubai, 8pm, free. Tel:  (04) 4361020. redbullcliffdiving.com 

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11. See Jazzy Jeff at Barasti (he clearly loves the place)

Something of a regular here in Dubai, Jazzy Jeff – aka The Magnificent – knows exactly how to make a crowd scream for more. There will be spooky décor and horrifyingly tasty drinks on offer at Barasti during his set too.

Barasti Beach, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Mina Seyahi, Dubai, 11am to 3am. Tel: (04) 399 3333. More info on website.

Saturday 29

12. Take the kids to a spooky story time

There’s a Halloween edition of Story Time today at Virgin Megastore in Marina Mall. There will be storybook readings from Dubai personalities and snacks from Paul Cafe (it’s the latter that’s the clincher for us).

Virgin Megastore, Ground Floor, Dubai Marina Mall. 10am to 11.30am, free. More info on Facebook. 

13. Chill at Harvestfest

Celebrate the return of cooler weather (although it’s still quite humid) by chilling on the grass at Reform. This weekend’s HarvestFest will see a barbecue roaring all day, plus 40 ales and ciders from around the world on offer at the neighbourhood eatery. Heads up: Thursday and Friday are more about the party, but then on Saturday it’ll be a family day out with loads of activities for kids. Drinks wise, five tokens cost Dhs225, while 10 tokens cost Dhs380.

Reform Social And Grill, The Lakes Club, Dubai, Dhs50. Tel: (04) 454 2638. 5pm to 10pm Thursday and 2pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday. More info on Facebook. 

14. Watch Dracula at Ductac

Irish thespians Danú Dubai paint a wickedly theatrical picture of the world’s most famous vampire this weekend. Rich with humour and horror, this adaptation stays faithful to Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel.

Centrepoint Theatre, Ductac, Mall Of The Emirates, Fri 7.30pm, Sat 3pm and 7.30pm, Dhs85 to Dhs125. Tel: (04) 3414777. Metro: Mall Of The Emirates. ductac.org.

15. Go to a Halloween family fun day

Today at Jumeirah Beach Hotel you’ll find a bouncy castle, treasure hunts and a feast from live cooking stations (all with a Burj Al Arab view). Why? Well they’re putting on a beachside Halloween Family Fun Day.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah. 12pm to 5pm, today only. Dhs295 per adult with soft drinks and unlimited food and Dhs150 for children aged seven to 12. Free for children under seven. Tel: (04) 432 3232. More info on website. 

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Images: Supplied