From rap stars and party brunches to free fitness and the happiest 5km on the planet…

Already planning the weekend? So are we. And this weekend, there’s heaps to look forward to. From festivals and fireworks to free fitness classes and farmer’s markets, you’ll find everything here you need for a top weekend in the city.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend.

Thursday November 8

1. See a top rap star perform

No stranger to d3 superclub Base Dubai, Rick Ross is headed back to this Thursday for a huge gig. The rap mogul is famed for his work alongside superstars including John Legend, Mariah Carey and Future and for his performance this Thursday, ladies enjoy free drinks all night long.

Rick Ross at Base Dubai, Dubai Design District, 10pm to 4am, Thursday November 9. Tel: (055) 313 4999. basedubai.com

2. See a stunning fireworks display

Dubai’s Global Village is now open again, and there’s even more attractions to check out this season. There’s a brand new ‘Wheel of the World’ Ferris wheel, a multicultural floating market and even a Circus experience at the Carnaval, home to a ringmaster, high wire acts, clowns, wheel of death and plenty more. The regular fireworks shows are thankfully back, taking place each week at 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays, while the ‘Parade of the World’ will be every Thursday at 7.30pm.

Global Village, Exit 37, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, open October 30. globalvillage.ae

3. Kickstart your weekend with oysters and house music

Oysters and house music might not sound like the most usual combination, but that’s what you’ll get this Thursday at Siddharta Lounge. The swanky al fresco lounge is opening its doors to the region’s top DJ duo Hollaphonic, and also hosting a pop-up by the UAE’s first shellfish farm, Dibba Bay. On the evening, for Dhs260, you can enjoy 12 oysters, paired with a bottle of sparkling grape or 6 selected house beverages.

Siddharta Lounge, Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina, 7pm to late, Thursday November 7. Tel: (04) 317 6000. siddhartalounge.com

4. Party hard in Meydan

Thursdays at Soho Garden are one of the biggest nights out for kickstarting the weekend in the city. This week, they’ll be running a special event with underground nightlife brand ‘Do Not Sit’ in Dubai for the first time, with Behrouz headlining.

Soho Garden, Meydan, 9pm to 3am, Thursday November 7, free entry. Tel: (052) 388 8849. Facebook.com/SohoGardenDXB

Friday November 9

5. Celebrate Diwali at a family-friendly event

To celebrate Diwali, Bay Avenue will be hosting a series of workshops and family-friendly activities this Friday. From 5pm onwards, guests can learn to make lanterns, see a puppet show, catch a magician or wander amongst the traditional Indian dancers

Bay Avenue, Business Bay, 5pm to 10pm, Friday November 9, free. Tel: (04) 454 2638. Facebook.com/BayAvenue

6. Stock up at a Farmer’s Market

The Farmers Market at Bay Avenue is back, and takes place every Friday and Saturday from 8am to 3pm. Visitors can interact with local farmers, and shop from a range of stalls, with everything from homegrown fruits and veges to fresh baked goods, preserves and vegan treats on offer. Baker and Spice are also on hand to cook up a market breakfast, fresh from the grill.

Bay Avenue Park (opposite the Zaha Hadid building), Business Bay, Fri and Sat 8am to 3pm. @TheFarmersMarketOnTheTerrace

7. Enjoy drinks for Dhs4 at a Marina hotspot

The Scene is celebrating its fourth birthday this year by giving back to its customers, and offering the first drink for all guests through the doors on Friday November 9 for just Dhs4. It’s set to be an all day party at the hotspot as the venue goes all out for its annual birthday bash. From doors opening at 8am until 2am, they’ll also be offering a 50 per cent discount on everything on both the food and drink menu.

The Scene by Simon Rimmer, 4th floor, Pier 7, Dubai Marina, 8am to 2am, Friday November 9. Tel: (04) 4222 328. thescenedubai.com 

8. Party at the opening of a new beach club

Cove Beach will be reopening at its new home at Caesar’s Palace Bluewaters on Friday November 9. Celebrating with a huge opening party, the swanky new space will kick off with party brand, Ritual, who will bring their signature day-to-night parties from London to Dubai for the first time. Famed for their house and techno parties with a tribal element, Brit DJ Secondcity will headline, supported by some special guests..

Cove Beach, Caesar’s Palace, Bluewaters, 10am to 3am, from Friday November 9. Tel: (050) 454 6920 Facebook.com/CoveBeachDubai

9. Enjoy a sun soaked day by the Creek

Dubai Creek Marina at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is set to host the annual Pre-owned boat show this weekend, with free entry for all at the Creekside event. What can you expect? As well as checking out all the boats for sale, you can also enjoy the Dubai Lobster Fest which takes place alongside the show. You can tuck into delicious lobster dishes from just Dhs55. The event is also licensed, with a selection of beers, wines and cocktails available from Dhs40.

Dubai Pre-Owned Boat Show, Dubai Creek Marina, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, November 8 to 10, Thurs 2pm to 9pm, Fri noon to 9pm, Sat noon to 8pm. More info on Facebook.

10. Check out a lively new brunch

We’re already big fans of La Carnita, the funky Mexican joint housed in the place formerly occupied by Ynot bar in the Intercontinental Dubai Marina. So we were excited to discover they’ve just launched a Friday brunch. Promising sharing style Latin-American street food, three hours of unlimited drinks and hip-hop hits from DJTJ, we can’t wait to check this one out.

La Carnita, Intercontinental Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Fridays, Dhs250 soft, Dhs350 house. Tel: (04) 438 3100. hiddenbrunch.com

11. Tuck into a popular party brunch

With over 220 dishes to choose from and more than 20 interactive cooking stations, it’s no wonder Saffron is one of Dubai’s most popular party brunches. The lively party brunch offers guests an action-packed brunch experience complete with free flowing drinks from a huge selection, live entertainment, and a DJ spinning hits from the 80s and 90s till now.

Saffron brunch, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, 12.30pm to 4pm, Fridays, Dhs535. Tel: (04) 426 2000. atlantisthepalm.com

Saturday November 10

11. Work up a sweat at the happiest 5km on the planet

Dubbed the ‘happiest 5km on the planet’, The Color Run presented by Daman is returning to Dubai Autodrome on Saturday November 10. Now in its sixth year, the un-timed, family friendly fun run sees thousands of participants run, walk, hop, skip or dance their way round the 5km track, getting doused from head to toe in different coloured paints and foam as they go. Still not registered? Sign up today and get 20 per cent off with the code ‘WHATSON’.

The Color Run presented by Daman, Dubai Autodrome, Saturday November 10, tickets from Dhs190. Tel: (04) 367 8700. thecolorrun.ae

13. Head to a fitness focused brunch

Fancy switching all indulgent Friday feasts for something a little more health conscious this weekend? Then check out the Fitness In DXB, community fitness brunch. Hosted at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Center on Saturday November 10, the monthly activity aims to bring together like minded people, feeding into the vision of making the UAE a fitter and healthier place.

Fitness in DXB, Warehouse, Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Center, Garhoud, 1pm to 4pm, Saturday November 10, from Dhs199. Email info@fitnessindxb.com to book. 

14. Check out some free fitness classes

With Dubai Fitness Challenge in full swing, this weekend we’re headed to DIFC’s Fitness Village. open from 2pm to 9pm on Saturday, there’s UFC Fit classes, yoga, Kangaroo Jacks and a signature workout from Orangetheory on offer.

Gate Village, DIFC, Dubai, 2pm to 9pm, Saturdays, Free. Facebook.com/DubaiFitnessChallenge

15. See a French comic series adapted for film

This is an adaptation of a popular French comic book series about five teenagers who wake up one morning to find they are the only people left on earth. The fantasy story follows them trying to survive in a world of their own. The French film has English subtitles.

Nov 3, 6, 10, 13, 17 and 24, Alliance Francaise, Street 18, Oud Metha, Dubai. Tue 8pm, Sat 5pm, Dhs45. Tel: (04) 3358712. afdubai.org

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