Welcome to 2019 Dubai, and we’re hear to make sure it gets off to a brilliant start. Whether it’s free fitness classes and al fresco cinema or a new breakfast spot you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend. 

Thursday January 3

1. See the Burj Khalifa NYE laser show

Didn’t make it the Burj Khalifa on New Year’s Eve? From January 1 to January 5, a shorter version of the New Year’s Eve 2019 gala will be displayed that will include laser, light and The Dubai Fountain shows. You can catch it at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm, January 3 to 5. mydubainewyear.com

2. Work up a sweat with a free fitness class

Is working on your beach body one of your New Year’s resolutions? Then head to Cove Beach this Thursday for their final installment of their free fitness classes. Taken by the instructors from Smart Fitness, expect high-energy, total body workouts with a variety of equipment. There are classes at both 7.30am or 7pm.

Cove Beach, Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, Bluewaters, off JBR, 7.30am or 7pm, Thursday January 3, free. Tel: (050) 454 6920. covebeach.com

3. See an alfresco film

Fancy catching a film with the twinkly Dubai Marina as your backdrop? Then head to West 14^th on The Palm, where their movie night at the beach takes place every Thursday. There’s two films shown each week – a family-friendly option at 6pm, and a classic showing at 8pm.

West 14th, Dukes Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, 6pm and 8pm, Thursdays, Dhs100 adults, Dhs50 children. Tel: (04) 4551101. dukesdubai.com

4. Cool off at a ladies’ day

Ladies can take advantage of access to the oh-so-Instagrammable infinity pool at FIVE as well as four hours of unlimited cocktails and sangria with Praia’s Thursday ladies’ day. But it’s not just drinks included in the package – a two-course a la carte lunch is also provided at the recently opened Praia lounge, which has some stunning views out across the Palm and back towards Dubai Marina.

Secret Parties at Praia, FIVE Palm Jumeirah, 12pm to 4pm, Thursdays, Dhs149. Tel: (058) 870 0708. secret-parties.com

5. Kickstart the weekend with a drinks deal

Is it your turn to organise after-work drinks this Thursday? Then you’ll want to know about ‘Out of Office’, the brilliant new deal at The House Party Bar. From 6pm to 10pm every Thursday, the throwback venue is offering unlimited drinks for just Dhs150 per person.

The House Party Bar, Fairmont Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road, Thursdays, 6pm to 10pm. Dhs150. Tel: 050 995 5400. @HousePartyBar 

Friday January 4

6. Breakfast at a DIFC hotspot

You might know BB for its delicious dinner menu, but from January 4, the cosy DIFC social dining spot is going to be opening its doors for breakfast too. Available every Friday and Saturday from 8am until noon, the menu will feature a la carte options such as a rainbow stack of pancakes and a four cheese spinach pretzel, with dishes available from Dhs30.

BB Social Dining, Gate Village Building 8, DIFC, Dubai, 8am to 12pm, Fridays and Saturdays, from Dhs30. Tel: (04) 407 4444. thisisbb.com

7. See some stunning blooms

Grab your camera and head to Dubai Miracle Garden-Dubai’s most colorful attractions. The garden is home to a 18-metre structure of Mickey Mouse and his friends, an Emirates Airbus A380 flower structure and a whole lot more.

Dubai Miracle Garden, Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand, Dhs50 for adults, Dhs45 for children under 12. Tel: (04) 422 8902. dubaimiraclegarden.com

8. Head to an outdoor market

The always popular Ripe Market is back outdoors with a brand new location to boot. You’ll nowfind it at Dubai Police Academy Park in Umm Suqeim, taking place every Friday and Saturday from 9am to 7pm. It comes complete with a farmers market and food trucks, plus arts, crafts and workshops, as well as yoga, live music and heaps of other activities.

 Ripe Market, Dubai Police Academy Park, Fridays and Saturdays 9am to 7pm. ripeme.com

9. Check out Old Dubai with an expert

In 2016, Nada Badran quit her desk job to start her own tour company. She offers walking tours around lesser-known parts of Dubai, with the aim of showing her guests a different side to the city. When we joined her on a four-hour walking tour, she gave us a fascinating UAE history lesson, offered tips for finding the best treasures at the bustling gold, spice and textile souks, and took us for delicious kebabs at one of the city’s oldest restaurants. Nada is an engaging tour guide who is happy to answer all of your questions – and will keep in touch throughout your stay in Dubai to offer her recommendations, so it’s like you have a local friend.

Wander With Nada Old Dubai Cultural Tour, Dhs376 (children 11 and below free). Available most days of the week. wanderwithnada.com.

10. Make your way through a new breakfast menu

The newly launched breakfast menu at Park Hyatt gem NOEPE includes an array of eggs, classic waffles, pancakes and acai bowls. The dishes are made to order and served with a side of sunshine and blue skies every weekend between 8am and 11.30am.

The Promenade, Park Hyatt Dubai, 8am to 11.30am, Fridays and Saturdays. Tel: (04) 602 1814. thepromenadedxb.com

Saturday January 5

11. Be amazed by a magic show

Dutch Magician Arnaud’s ‘The Art of Magic’ World tour comes to the Junction theatre in Dubai this Saturday. In ‘The Art of Magic’, Arnaud takes his audience on a journey through the world of magic, sharing his personal stories behind the tricks that he will perform on stage. Prepare to be both baffled and entertained.

Junction, Unit H72 – Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz, doors open 7.45pm, show from 8pm, Saturday January 5, Dhs100. www.thejunctiondubai.com

12. Listen to some live jazz at a new dinner deal

Does a bottle of wine, dough balls and jazz sound like your kind of date-night? Then head to Jazz PizzaExpress this Saturday, for their new ‘All That Jazz’ night. Priced at Dhs210 for two, expect a bottle of wine and dough balls to share, followed by a choice of a la carte main and dessert, all served up to the sounds of Chinua Hawk Music live.

Jazz PizzaExpress, Cluster A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, 7.30pm to 11.30pm, Saturday, Dhs210. Tel: (04) 441 6342. pizzaexpressuae.com

13. Tuck into a top roast

If you’re looking for a hearty roast to finish your week, look no further than Galvin Bistrot & Bar. There’s a choice of indoor and outdoor seating, although we’d opt for the cosy courtyard tables every time. Served every Saturday from 1pm to 6pm, the roast is a choice of meats or a vegetarian option, that comes with top trimmings of root vegetables, roast potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower cheese, a yorkshire pudding and lashings of gravy. Specials on cocktails, wines and spirits are also on offer through the day, so you can wile away the afternoon.

Galvin Bistrot & Bar, The Square City Walk, Saturdays, 1pm to 6pm, Dhs135. Tel: (800) 425 846. galvindubai.com 

14. Enjoy a lazy Saturday brunch

Wind down the weekend with Iris’ Le Sunset Brunch – a four hour package of easy eats that you can graze on all afternoon. Expect live cooking stations including roasted lamb, a fresh oyster bar, barbecue corner, salad station, and more, served up to free-flowing drinks from 4pm to 8pm.

Iris, Level 27, The Oberoi, Business Bay, 4pm to 8pm, Saturdays, Dhs180 soft, Dhs280 house, Dhs340 cocktails. Tel: (056) 951 1442 Facebook.com/IrisDubai

15. Dine at a new Dubai Marina restaurant

Found on the second floor of Dubai Marina’s Pier 7 building is Mama Zonia. The restaurant, lounge and terrace promises to take you on a journey through the Amazon rainforest thanks to its jungle-themed decor, tribal entertainment and tropical, Latin American cuisine. The venue has already launched a weekday business lunch, gents’ night every Monday, ladies’ night every Tuesday, so we’re confident you’ll want to be adding it to your weekly ladies’ night circuit.

Mama Zonia, Level 2, Pier 7, Dubai Marina, 12pm to 2am, Sat to Weds, 12pm to 3am, Thurs and Fri. Tel: (04) 240 4747. Facebook.com/Mamazoniadxb

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