All-day festivals, free yoga, world-class musicals. Oh Dubai, you little beauty.

Here are your next three days sorted…

Thursday 10

1. Check out a new (healthy) burger joint

With free-range meats and organic ingredients, Bareburger is a bit of a legend in New York, and its first Dubai branch has just opened at Festival Centre. They do healthy bowls and salads too, so it’s a good option if one of you wants a burger but the other wants something more kale-adjacent. Ooh, and word is there are three more coming to the city soon. We’ll keep you updated.

Festival Centre, Dubai, 12pm to 10pm (until midnight on weekends) daily. Tel: (04) 338 7110. More info on Facebook.  

2. Go to the opera (but not at Dubai Opera)

There’s an Italian Opera Gala tonight at Ductac that will see the arias and duets of Verdi and Puccini performed. Italian soprano Monica De Rosa McKay will be there, as will tenor Gian Luca Pasolini.

Centrepoint Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Barsha, 8pm, from Dhs180. Tel: (04) 341 4777. More info and tickets on website. 

3. Celebrate a dining legend’s birthday

Some people think it’s overrated but we can’t help but love La Petite Maison, the French-Med restaurant in DIFC that’s always buzzing. The dining classic is celebrating their sixth birthday this weekend and so will have a live band playing tonight and tomorrow night, and it’s a super cool band too – French pop band The Gypsy Queens have performed at parties thrown by celebs like Elton John (so no, they’re not a Gypsy Kings rip off). PS: LPM won best French Restaurant at the What’s On Awards this week – find out all the winners here.

La Petite Maison, DIFC, Gate Village 8, Dubai, dinner served 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 4390505. More info on website.

4. Go to a new night brunch

It’s being called an evening brunch, but let’s be honest, a meal from 8pm on a Thursday night is really just a dinner. Semantics aside, the new Thursday night deal at the gorgeous rooftop Mercury Lounge is well worth checking out. From 8pm to 11pm you’ll get to sample a grazing-style feast of a meal (pictured) with Mediterranean flavours for Dhs295 (food only). The Downtown Dubai views from this Jumeirah spot are unbeatable.

Four Seasons Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2, 8pm to 11pm every Thursday night. Tel: (04) 270 7804. More info on website.

Friday 11

5. Tri hard

Dubai’s largest triathlon is this weekend at a brand new venue in Jebel Ali – it’s too late to sign up, but it’s being billed as a family friendly tri-fest, so there will be plenty of entertainment (and cheering on to do). On Friday there’s the shorter duathlon and on Saturday the hardcore athletes will take on the Dubai International Triathlon (which is a half Iron Man distance).

Dubai Waterfront, beyond Jebel Ali, Dubai, 6am, Dhs375 for the Olympic tri, Dhs900 for the Dubai Internatioal tri. Taxi: Jebel Ali Waterfront. More info on the website. 

6. Go to Party in the Park!

Now in its third year at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Party In The Park combines everything you love about music festivals – live bands, great DJs, food and drink, sunshine and a liberal sprinkling of festival madness – all without having to contend with mud, Wellies or getting stranded in a field miles from home. On the main stage you’ll see Kaiser Chiefs, Travis, The Charlatans and more – see you there? 

November 11. Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Fri 2pm to midnight, Dhs350, Dhs650 brunch, Dhs1,200 VIP. Tel: (04) 4273097. Metro: Nakheel. Buy tickets at platinumlist.net here. Buy tickets at Virgin Megastore here.

7. Search for Sugar Man in Alserkal

Haven’t seen Searching for Sugar Man? The documentary that charts the tragic and yet uplifting story of Rodriguez, who had his career snatched away from him for most of his life, is a must see. The good news is that there’s a free screening of it tonight. The outdoor screening will be at The Yard in Alserkal Avenue, and it kicks off at 7pm.

The Yard, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, 7pm, free but first come, first served. More info on Facebook.

8. Go to the food truck yard

We love Dubai Garden Centre (all the more for the fact one of its cafes Roseleaf serves one of the only proper flat whites in the city). Well there’s now a new reason to dig the place. The people behind Al Quoz’s Hangry Hangar have launched a new food truck concept in the backyard of the garden centre that will serve up street food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It will run daily until January. Yum.

Dubai Garden Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz, 10am to 11pm. Tel: (04) 590 4333. More info on Facebook. 

9. Wear all white and go Dutch

Dutch EDM stars have flown in for Sensation Dubai tonight – leading the charge will be Sunnery James, Ryan Marciano and Afrojack. The venue is a ‘Desert Dome’ in Bab Al Shams with a full light show.

Bab Al Shams Eveny Arena, Dubai, 6pm to 3am, Dhs399. Shuttle buses available. More info on website. 

Saturday 12

10. Stretch out the week’s stress at a free yoga class

Start your morning well with a free yoga class at The Beach opposite JBR – in fact, there’s a free hour-long class there every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (for the rest of the winter), and there’s no registration required. Lovely stuff.

South Lawn (near kids play area), The Beach Opposite JBR, 7am to 8am today. Free. More info on Facebook. 

11. Truly treat yourself

Amara Spa is one of Dubai’s best pampering spots thanks to its whitewashed walls, tranquil space and the fact that when you visit it you can use the Park Hyatt’s beautiful pool (meaning you can turn a treatment into a whole day out). Their November special is the Amara Hammam – a 90 minute treatment that will set you back Dhs795 but includes lunch, a 45-minute body scrub and a 45-minute rose oil massage. Treat yo’self.

Park Hyatt, Deira, Dubai. Dhs795 for the special. Tel: (04) 602 1660. 9am to 10pm, daily. More info on website.

12. Go on the craziest run in the calendar

A fun run that’s also an explosion of colourful chalk? That’s right, the Colour Run is back. It has to be the zaniest, most lively run on the calendar – and, at 5km and with a really friendly vibe, it suits people of all fitness levels. The only thing you’ll have to contend with is a lot of selfie sticks in the crowd.

Dubai Autodrome, Dhs180 (Dhs280 for a deluxe pass), 8am to 12pm. Tel: (04) 367 8700. More info and tickets on website. 

13. Go to a Beyoncé dance class

Yes, this dance-fitness class specifically focuses on the dance moves of Queen Bey – bring your stilettos (Single Ladies-style). Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oooh…

Pole First, ground floor, Marina Sail Tower, Dubai Marina, Dubai, Sat 4.30pm, Dhs75. Tel: (04) 551 6911. More info on website.

14. Hear the people sing

Les Misérables kicks off at Dubai Opera this weekend for a three week run. Dubai will witness Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s production of the musical, rather than a rendition from some B-grade outfit. This means the best actors, the best sets, and the best possible version of Les Mis’.

November 10 to December 2. Dubai Opera, The Opera District, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, Mon to Thur 8pm, Fri and Sat timings vary, Dhs275. Tel: (800) 36227. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. dubaiopera.com

15. Expand your musical horizons

One of Ukraine’s top rock bands Okean Elzy are bringing their world tour to Dubai this Saturday. The soulful rockers have been going for more than 20 years (and have played to crowds of 70,000 people in Kiev).

MusicHall Dubai, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Palm Jumeirah, 7pm to midnight. Tel: (056) 270 8670. Dhs375 to Dhs777. Buy tickets here. More info on Facebook. 

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Photos: Supplied