Book sales, brunches, birthdays and some huge parties are ahead…

It’s almost the weekend Dubai, and if you’re after an action-packed one, we’re here for you. From the world’s biggest book sale to the return of the Vengaboys, it’s a week of some seriously diverse events, and we can’t wait.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday October 18

1. Pick up a bargain at the world’s biggest book sale

The Big Bad Wolf Books Sale will take place from October 18 to 28 at Dubai Studio City sound stages 2 and 3. There will be over three million brand new English-language books for sale, with 50 to 80 per cent off the normal retail prices. What kinds of books can you pick up? Everything from bestselling novels and business books to art and design titles, cookbooks, and a huge range of young adult fiction. For little ones, there will be story books, activity books, colouring books and augmented reality books.

The Big Bad Wolf Books Sale, Dubai Studio City, October 18 to 28, 24 hours. @bbwbooksuae

2. Throw it back with a Euro dance act

All aboard the Vengabus – twenty years after making their debut, Eurodance group Vengaboys are headed to Dubai this month. The Vengaboys rose to fame in the late 1990s thanks to a string of irresistibly catchy hits including Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom and We’re Going To Ibiza. And who could resist hitting the dance floor when We Like To Party came on?

Vengaboys at Zero Gravity, Sky Dive Dubai Drop Zone, Dubai Marina, 8pm to 3am, Thursday October 18. Tel: (04) 399 0009. 0-gravity.ae

3. See The Boxtones live

One of the city’s top bands, The Boxtones are set to headline McGettigans JBR’s first birthday bash this Thursday. There will also be specials on all weekend, including a 10 hour happy hour from 10am to 8pm with drinks priced at Dhs18 and Dhs10 through the weekend.

McGettigans JBR, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Thursday October 18 and Friday October 19. Tel: (04) 318 2580. mcgettigans.com

4. Celebrate the two-year anniversary of a super club

BOA Dubai is turning two this weekend, and to celebrate, it’s throwing two days of epic parties. Over the last 90 weekends, the superclub has welcomed stars including Drake, Flo Rida and Omarion, and welcomed some 100,000 partygoers. It will kick off with Epic Thursday on October 18, where ladies can enjoy a free bar all evening, followed by Bling Friday, one of the city’s top urban nights.

BOA Dubai, V Hotel, Al Habtoor City, 8pm to 3am, Thursday October 18 and Friday October 19. Tel:(056) 501 2039. Facebook.com/BOADubai

5. See a top Electronic music act

With the roof firmly off and the season in full swing, Soho Garden is set to welcome another top electro music act to its decks this weekend. Art Department will headline on Thursday October 18, brining his distinctive dance sound to the region for the second time this year.

Soho Garden, Meydan, 9pm to 3am, Thursday October 18. Tel: (052) 388 8849. Facebook.com/SohoGardenDXB

Friday October 19

6. Check in to check out the revamped Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Jumeirah Beach Hotel is set to open its doors again this weekend on Friday October 19, after a five-month transformation. Some of the best-loved restaurants are retuning such as Gastropub Dhow & Anchor, Latin American restaurant La Parilla and rooftop spot Uptown Bar, while on the beachfront, Villa Beach, Beachcombers and Ocean Blue, have been transformed into a trio of idyllic beachfront drinking and dining options, perfect for our new sundowners spot, we reckon.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, from Friday October 19, rates from Dhs1800. Tel: (04) 432 3232. jumeirah.com

7. Tuck into some top cuisine at a restaurant village festival

All 18 restaurants in Le Méridien Dubai are set to come together this Friday for an afternoon culinary festival. Backed by a team of over 250 chefs, Le Meridien Village will transform into a piazza showcasing signature dishes from across the hotel’s diverse dining offerings. Guests can experience specialties priced from Dhs25 and beers from Dhs22, while the little ones are kept busy with a dedicated play area.

Le Meridien Village, Le Meridien Dubai, Garhoud, 4pm to 8pm, Friday October 19. Tel: (04) 702 2455. meridienvillageterrace-dubai.com

8. Brunch with a skiing champion

Hilton Dubai Jumeirah’s annual Alp’fest celebrates the pristine Savoie region of France at Le Chalet, and it’s wrapping up this Friday. To celebrate, they’ll be hosting a brunch with renowned French ski champion Sébastien Amiez.

Alp’fest, La Chalet, Oceana Restaurant, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, 12.30pm to 4pm, Friday October 19, Dhs199 with soft beverages. Tel: (04) 318 2540. Facebook.com/hiltonDubai

9. See an American rapper live

Superclub White Dubai is set to welcome American rapper Desiigner this weekend. The free-entry gig will take place on Friday October 19, as the ‘Panda’ hitmaker headlines at White’s weekly Bizaar night. He’ll be supported by DJ Chabz and Moky, two of the club’s best-loved resident DJs.

White Dubai, Meydan, 11pm to 4am, Thursday to Saturday. Tel: (050) 443 0933. whitedubai.com

Saturday October 20

10. See a film al fresco

The Urban Outdoor Cinema has announced it’s returning to the Habtoor Grand in Dubai Marina this month. From Saturday October 20, Urban Entertainment will be putting on three films a week at their cosy outdoor cinema on the lawn of the Habtoor Grand, running every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It’s kicking off with The Greatest Showman this Saturday.

Urban Outdoor Cinema, Habtoor Grand, Dubai Marina, doors open from 6.30pm, film from 7.30pm Saturday October 20, Dhs75. urbanoutdoorcinema.com

11. Find your zen with a wellness retreat

The monthly H Retreats are back this Saturday October 20 at Dukes Dubai, offering a day-long session of wellness and wellbeing education for Dubai residents. This month’s theme is ‘Mind, Body and Soul Alignment’ and features a full day programme of guided expert workshops and classes, meditation, yoga and one-to-one consultations. A three-course lunch and fresh juices are also provided

H Retreats, Dukes Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, 9am to 5.30pm, Saturday October 20, Dhs845. hretreats.com

12. Celebrate the countdown to Expo 2020

Saturday October 20 officially marks the start of the two year countdown to Expo 2020. And what better way to celebrate than a huge event at Burj Park? The free-entry celebration will feature a specially choreographed show of The Dubai Fountain, and a display on the Burj Khalifa facade at 2020 (8.20pm) to mark the milestone.

Expo 2020 Dubai two-year countdown celebration, Burj Park, Downtown Dubai, 5pm to 10pm, Saturday October 20, free. expo2020dubai.com

13. Get creative at Paint & Grape

This Saturday, JLT’s Couqley is inviting budding artists for an afternoon of wine and painting. From 2.30pm to 5.30pm, attendees can indulge in three hours of painting as they recreate the famous French Impressionist Claude Monet’s Monet’s Woman with a Parasol. It’s served up alongside two glasses of wine, and complimentary canapes.

Couqley, Cluster A, JLT, 2.30pm to 5.30pm, Saturday October 20, Dhs387. Tel: (04) 514 9339. Facebook.com/CouqleyUAE

14. Head to a workshop for mums-to-be

Local baby store Just Kidding collaborate with mama-to-be duo Expat Mama’s to host a morning event with multiple workshops and stations designed for Mums-to-be. The event will cover a variety of areas from swaddling, to bathing, from car safety, to Mama & baby nutrition, plus  the Malaak mama & baby care team will be on hand to entertain little ones.

Just Kidding Stroller Park, Gold and Diamond Park, Dubbai, 10am to 12pm, Saturday October 20. Register here

 15. Catch up over afternoon tea

Sidra Lounge at Habtoor Palace launches a new Grand Afternoon Tea this Saturday. It comprises of numerous courses, including a selection of finger sandwiches, pastries and teacakes alongside traditional scones with clotted cream. There will also be a salmon station carved infront of you by the chef and a homemade sorbet completing the five-course afternoon tea. It’s served alongside a choice of 18 loose-leaf teas, and a trio of live music acts.

Sidra Lounge, Habtoor Palace, Al Habtoor City, 2pm to 5pm, Saturdays, Dhs225. Tel: (04) 435 5555. waldorfastoria3.hilton.com

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