15 amazing things to do in Dubai this weekend
There’s a super sale, spooky celebrations and Party in the Park is back…
Another week in Dubai is almost done and dusted. We’re already looking forward to the weekend, and you should be too with everything that’s going on. We’ve managed to find 15 of the very best things to do in Dubai, so you can have the best weekend ever.
Here’s 15 of the best things to do in Dubai this weekend.
Thursday October 31
1. Shop ’til you drop and save up to 90 per cent
Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment have announced another super sale will take place over three days this weekend. From Thursday October 31 to Saturday November 2, shoppers across the city will be able to enjoy huge discounts of up to 90 per cent off a host of brands. The seventh edition of the mega sale will see deals on a range of items including fashion, beauty, gold, home, electronics and jewellery items across 500 brands in 2000 outlets.
3DSS, Dubai Malls, Dubai, Thursday Oct 31 to Sat Nov 2. 3daysupersale.com
2. Indulge in a spook–tacular sweet treat
The perfect (trick) or treat for Halloween, Magnolia Bakery have launched a limited–edition range of spooktacular cakes, available this October. There’s a choice of classic chocolate or vanilla filling, and an array of monster type designs available. As well as full cakes, they’ve also created an array of mini cupcakes that come decorated with scary faces, miniature bats and monster figures.
Magnolia Bakery, various locations including Palm Jumeirah and Bloomingdales Home The Dubai Mall, from Dhs114 for six cupcakes and Dhs170 for a cake. magnoliabakery.com
3. Be front row for Dubai’s fashion week
Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) is back for another year and kicks off on Wednesday October 30. Not only are there exciting catwalk shows brought to you by the regions’ best designers, but you’ll also be able to attend talks, as well as shop the latest fashion and accessories. Attendance is free but you’ll need to register online beforehand for a chance to get a ticket to the shows and talks. FFWD is running until Saturday November 2, at Dubai Design District.
FFWD, Design Quarter 2, Dubai Design District, Downtown Dubai, Wednesday Oct 30 to Saturday Nov 2, free. fashionforward.ae
4. Go to an Immersive Halloween Experience on the QE2
Don’t scare easily? That’s what you think. QE2’s Immersive Haunted Attraction is set to seriously test your limits. Brought to you by Project Rising Star, there will be three levels of terrifying experiences on the iconic ship, incorporating old stories from hundreds of years ago that actually happened there. The ‘Level 1’ spooky experience will take place in the afternoons, designed to only lightly scare people and suitable for families. Taking place at after dark, Level 2 is said to be for those who don’t mind losing a bit of sleep and to enter the depths of Level 3 (in the depths of the night), you actually have to sign a waiver – it’s not for the faint hearted. The experience is running from Thursday October 17 to Saturday November 2 and tickets are available from Platinum List now.
The Immersive Halloween Experience at QE2, Port Rashid, Dubai, Thursday, October 17 to Saturday, November 2, Dhs55. Tel: (04) 526 8888. dubai.platinumlist
5. Release your inner freak
Get in the spooky spirit this Halloween at SKY2.0’s Le Freak C’est Chic party. The stylish superclub is offering a huge prize for the best dressed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night with flights and a 3-night stay for two at a 5-star hotel at either London, Paris or Milan fashion week. Don your best freaky fashion and make sure you’re there at 2am when the winner will be announced.
SKY2.0, Dubai Design District, Downtown Dubai, Wednesday to Friday, 10pm to 4am. Tel: (04) 587 6333. skydubai.com
Friday November 1
6. Party at the biggest festival of the year
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. With a stage featuring superb British artists – this year Richard Ashcroft, Lighthouse Family and Fatboy Slim will all take to the stage – a festival atmosphere and a dedicated family-friendly zone, Party in the Park is back on Friday November 1 and ready to rock your socks off. Tickets are available from platinumlist.net and will also be available on site at the festival’s Box Office.
Party in the Park, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City, Dubai, Friday November 1 2pm to 1am, from Dhs250. Tel: (04) 427 3000. partyinthepark.ae
7. Get on your bike
If you’re a keen cyclist, you may have already signed yourself up for the Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge on November 28 and 29, where you’ll cycle a massive 92km to complete it. We’re sure you’re already well in training if you have, however as part of The Dubai Fitness Challenge, there’ll be a 3rd meet build up race, taking place in the Al Qudra desert on November 1, which will determine individual’s start times for the race. The race is open to anyone aged 16 and over and if you don’t have a helmet or equipment, you can hire them. Once the trail is done, you’ll be able to catch up at the Cycle Village where there’ll be breakfast and loads of family-friendly activities to keep the little ones entertained.
Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge Build-Up Ride, from 6am, Friday November 1, Top of the Al Qudra Cycle Path, Seih Al Salam (near Zads and Trek shop), Dhs70. cyclechallenge.ae
8. Walk amongst the blooms
It’s one of Dubai’s best-loved attractions, and we’ll be able to walk among the blooms of Dubai Miracle Garden from Friday November 1. The unique outdoor destination, is home to over 50 million flowers in 120 varieties, and will this season bring a host of exciting new concepts including a fourth Guinness World Record attempt, a renewed Disney Avenue and the ‘Aerial Floating Lady’.
Dubai Miracle Garden, Arjan, Dubailand, Sun to Thur 9am to 9pm, Fri & Sat 9am to 11pm from Nov 1, Dhs40 kids, Dhs55 adults. dubaimiraclegarden.com
9. Brunch with the ghouls
Famous Dubai party brunch We Brunch (brought to you by Love Parties) is getting a full Halloween makeover, with everything from the food to the drinks and venue getting bewitched on Friday November 1. There’ll be a makeup artist on-hand to get you in the spirit, and if you want to go all the way and come dressed up in costume, prizes will be handed out for the very best dressed. Don’t forget there’s an afterparty from 4pm, where you can get five drinks for Dhs150 at Marina Social Bar.
We Brunch, Accents, Intercontinental, Dubai Marina, 1pm to 4pm, Friday November 1, Dhs325 soft, Dhs375 house, Dhs425 bubbles. Tel:(052) 798 7292. webrunchdxb.com
10. Discover a new talent
Ever wanted to learn the essentials of jazz improvisation? One of the region’s leaders in the field Tarek Yamani, will be conducting a three-day workshop titled Jazz Tactics and Essentials of Improvisation ahead of his solo piano performance in Sharjah. Participants will learn rhythmic awareness and harmonies as well as the art of group improv. This is a chance to learn in an intimate setting from one of the best regional musicians.
Sharjah Art, Sharjah, Wed Oct 30 & Thur Oct 31 7pm to 10pm, Fri Nov 1 2pm to 5pm. sharjahart.org
Saturday November 2
11. Indulge in a Mexican breakfast
La Carnita is officially open for breakfast every Saturday from 10am to 3pm. The popular Mexican restaurant has launched a new menu complete with indulgent as well as healthy organic, vegan and gluten-free options. Dishes include steak and eggs, duck confit Benedict, avocado toast, or a Mexican speciality, huevos rancheros as well as sweet treats churros pancakes and French toast. Everything can be washed down with fresh juices and hand-crafted bloody Mary cocktails.
La Carnita, Intercontinental Dubai Marina, Saturdays, 10am to 3pm. Tel: (04) 425 4030. lacarnita.ae
12. Check out the 24th season of Global Village
Global Village fans, the countdown is finally over. Dubai’s multicultural theme park reopened for its 24th season on October 29 2019 and will run until April 4 2020. That’s 159 days of pure culture filled with shopping at the internationally themed markets, tasting unique dishes and drinks from around the world and an array of attractions and live entertainment shows. Each of the world pavilions house items from a different countries homeland, so expect to find traditional clothing, accessories, food and drink stalls, handicrafts, cultural shows and much more at each. Plus, if you need to give yourself a break from the shopping and the food, head to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum attraction.
Global Village, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, October 29, 2019 to April 4, 2020. globalvillage.ae
13. Watch a magnificent ballet performance
PARUS International Music Festival will showcase ballet superstar Sergei Polunin for one night only. On Saturday November 2, Sergei will perform a Sacré solo, choreographed by Japanese dancer and choreographer Yuka Oishi. The dance is set to Stravinsky’s iconic The Rite of Spring and inspired by famous dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. The show will take place at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, with tickets starting from Dhs330 available on Platinumlist.net.
Sergei Polunin, PARUS International Music Festival, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Road, Saturday Nov 2, from 7pm. mpremiere.com
14. Head to Abu Dhabi for a gala dinner
The inaugural Gaggenau Connoisseur Awards are back for another year at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. There will be a full day of workshops and exciting activations before an exclusive cocktail reception with brut cava and oyster tasting and five-course gala dinner at VaKaVa. Afternoon masterclasses include insights into truffle, oyster, chocolate, coffee hosted by experts in the region. Three masterclasses plus the dinner will cost Dhs640 per person.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, Saturday November 2, classes from 2pm, dinner from 7pm, Dhs640. gaggenau.com
15. See a one-off play
Dinner With Friends is the exciting production taking place this weekend at The Junction, Alserkal Avenue. The play, written by Donald Marguiles and directed by Meghana Mundkur, is a story of food, friendship, love and growing up. Set to be a relatable story, that will connect with everyone in the audience, Dinner With Friends is running Friday November 1 and Saturday November 2 at 7.30pm, as well as a matinee on Saturday at 3.30pm.
The Junction, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Friday Nov 1 to Saturday Nov 2, 7.30pm, Dhs100. bookmyshow.com
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