Club nights, ladies’ day deals, new restaurants, festive markets and the annual F1 festivities…

Welcome to another big weekend, Dubai. Whether you’re looking for brunches, club nights, family-friendly activities or ladies’ day deals we’ve got you covered, while over in the capital the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes centre stage.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend.

Thursday November 22

1. Party at a club night at Dubai Opera

On Thursday November 22, legendary Manchester club night Haçienda DJs Graeme Park and Mike Pickering will unite with the full symphony orchestra, The Manchester Camerata, to perform a club night with a classical twist. The performance, conducted by Tim Crooks will recreate some of the world’s most well-known and loved house, club and rave classics at the Dubai Opera.

Hacienda at Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, 9pm onwards, Thursday November 22, from Dhs250. Tel: (04) 440 8888. dubaiopera.com

2. Bag a bargain at a super sale

Credit cards at the ready, the 3 Day Super Sale is making its return this weekend. The shopping extravaganza will take place from November 22 to 25, with shoppers able to take advantage of citywide retail offers, and discounts of up to 90 per cent.

Various locations across Dubai, November 22 to 25. visitdubai.com

3. Head to the capital for some racing action

It’s the 10th year of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this year, and it’s tipped to be the biggest yet. Although Lewis Hamilton has already secured his fifth Championship title with two races to go, there will still be plenty of action both on and off the track with brunches, concerts and after parties galore taking place across the four day festivities. Read our definitive guide to the Grand Prix right here.

Yas Marina Ciruit, Yas island, Abu Dhabi, November 22 to 25, prices vary. Yasmarinacircuit.com

4. Dine at the hands of a superstar chef

The kitchen at popular Italian eatery is being taken over by superstar chef Vincenzo Guarino this Thursday and Friday. He’ll be serving up a limited-edition, four course set menu of his signature fancy Italian fare for Dhs325.

Matto, Oberoi, Business Bay, Thursday November 22 and Friday November 23, Dhs325. Tel: (04) 444 1335. mattodubai.com

Friday November 23

5. Get competitive at a giant inflatathon

A giant inflatable obstacle course is set to land at Safa Park on Friday November, 23. The 3km, 10 obstacle course won’t be timed or targeted so you can race, run or stroll through the obstacles as fast or slow as you like. There will be heats though, so you can take part as a family, or take on the ‘Inflatables Heat’, where you tackle the course in a blow up sumo or T-Rex suit.

Inflatathon, Safa Park, Downtown Dubai, 8am to 1pm, Friday November 23, standard tickets Dhs200, VIP tickets Dhs400. Infatathon.com. Tickets from Platinumlist.net 

6. Party at a superclub with a rap star

If you’re not heading to Abu Dhabi for F1, there’s no ‘Dilemma’ for where to party in Dubai this weekend as rap star Nelly will headline at White Dubai’s weekly Bizaar night this Friday. The award-winning star has had a huge number of hits across his 25-year career releasing a staggering 47 singles across seven studio albums. He’s most famed for his hits Hot In Here, Just A Dream and Dilemma, which he released with Kelly Rowland.

White Dubai, Meydan, Dubai, 11pm to 4am, Friday November 23. Tel: (050) 443 0933. whitedubai.com

7. Cool off with a new ladies’ day

Soho Beach is Meydan’s lesser-known party spots, but that’s all about to change with the launch of their new weekend program. Every Friday, Ibiza party brand Hot Bed takes over the beach club, bringing a line-up of house DJs who spin on rotation, as well as a new ladies’ deal where girls can enjoy unlimited free flowing rose from 12pm to 4pm. There’s also a ladies brunch package including food for Dhs275, and the same package is priced at Dhs345 for guys.

Soho Beach, Medyan, Dubai, 12pm to 4pm, Fridays, Dhs275 ladies, Dhs345 guys. Tel: (052) 433 3375. sohobeachdxb.com

8. Rave at an old school garage brunch

Known as one of the UK’s most famed party brunches, Dubai’s first ‘UKG Brunch will take place at underground nightclub Industrial Avenue this Friday. Hosted by comedian Aurie Styla, expect a no-frills three course meal, giant inflatables and endless old-school garage hits.

UKG Brunch at Industrial Avenue, The Westin Mina Seyahi, 1pm to 5pm, Friday November 23, Dhs275. Tel: (052) 306 6527. industrialavenuedubai.com

9. Celebrate the Smurfs’ birthday

Motiongate Dubai, part of Dubai Parks and Resorts is hosting the biggest ‘blue-themed’ birthday party this Friday and Saturday in celebration of the Smurfs turning 60. The party will be hosted at the Smurfs’ Village from 2pm to 6pm and will include face painting stations, smurf hats and roaming entertainment.

Motiongate Dubai, Dubai Parks and Resorts, 2pm to 6pm, Friday November 23 and Saturday November 24. motiongatedubai.com

10. Up your wine knowledge at a grapefest

Unleash your inner connoisseur at The Grapeskin Fest at La Ville’s Grapeskin restaurant this Friday. The venue will showcase over thirty different grape varietals, tastings, cheese and charcuterie, savory bites and live music, with both premium and regular grapes from various stalls stationed around the courtyard to choose from.

Grapeskin, La Ville Hotel and Suites, City Walk, 2pm to 10pm, Friday November 23, Dhs195. Tel: (054) 309 59483100. livelaville.com

11. Check out a new exhibition in Sharjah

Saturday November 24

12. Dine at the latest Gordon Ramsay restaurant

Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay’s second Dubai outpost is now open at Caesars Palace Bluewaters. Hell’s Kitchen promises “the same combination of show-stopping theatre and world-class cooking as its original Las Vegas location”, and is open daily from 7am to 10.30am, for lunch from midday until 3.30pm, and for dinner from 6pm until 10.30pm.

Hell’s Kitchen, Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, Bluewaters, off JBR, daily 2am to 10.30am, 12pm to 3.30pm and 6pm to 10.30pm. Tel: (04) 556 6666‎. caesars.com/dubai

13. Do some Christmas shopping at a festive market

Kickstarting the Christmas cheer will be the Christmas market at Reform, which will run for two Saturdays on November 24 and December 1. As well as being able to shop for unique, handmade gifts, there will be a magician on hand to entertain the little ones, as well as a letter writing station where children can share there wish lists with Santa.

Reform Social & Grill, The Lakes, 12pm to 6pm, Saturday November 24 and Saturday December 1. Tel: 04 454 2638. reformsocialgrill.ae

14. Tee off at a new golf course

‘With a particularly spectacular outward nine, a strong finish and recurring views of the architectural wonder that is the Burj Khalifa, Dubai’s newest course is poised to become an irresistible lure for locals and tourists alike,’ is how our friends at Golf Digest describe the brand new Dubai Hills Golf Club, which opens this weekend. Set over a sprawling 45,000 square feet area with an Arabian-themed clubhouse, the 18-hole par-72 Dubai Hills Golf Club has exceptional views, just 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai at Dubai Hills Estate.

Dubai Hills Estate, behind GEMS International School, daily 6am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 362 7555. dubaihillsgolf.com

15. Celebrate the Thai Festival of Lights

To celebrate the Thai Loy Krathong festival, Pai Thai is offering a limited-edition sharing menu, giant floating ‘Krathongs’ and a decorated abra that will stage traditional dance performances to entertain guests throughout their meal for ten days until November 28. Chef Aphichat Amatmontri has created a three-course sharing menu which combines classic dishes, some of Pai Thai’s popular signature dishes and three completely new dishes exclusively for the occasion.

Pai Thai, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, daily 12.30pm to 3pm and 6pm to 11.30pm, until November 28, Dhs290. Tel: (04) 432 3232. jumeirah.com

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