Staying in this weekend just isn’t an option
From fiery flamenco and iconic Irish comedy to beachside hangouts and family-friendly adventures, Dubai has plenty happening this weekend.
Catch Romeo & Juliet reimagined by the Barcelona Flamenco Ballet, enjoy a hilarious theatrical take on Father Ted at Theatre by QE2, or make a day of it at one of the city’s buzzing dining and entertainment destinations.
So, it’s time to start planning your next fix of culture, comedy, live performances and plenty of fun with your gang.
Here are some of the best events and experiences to add to your weekend plans.
Over to you!
Best things to do this weekend in Dubai
Korea takes over Dubai
25-26 September, Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall
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Korea is taking over Dubai with a lively festival celebrating the country’s culture through live entertainment, authentic dining and shopping. The action kicks off on 25 September with free-to-attend concerts from K-pop stars ONEUS and Kwon Eunbi. On 26 September, renowned choreographers AIKI and Youngjun Choi from 1MILLION Dance Studio will bring even more energy to the stage. Expect plenty of music, dancing and Korean culture across the two-day celebration.
For further information, visit visitdubai.com
Go around the world at Lala Little Wonders
Now open, Al Joud Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz, Dubai
Looking for a fun day out with the kids? Lala Little Wonders is a new immersive play space where little explorers can climb, bounce, swing and create their way around the world. Kids can discover mini versions of landmarks including the Burj Khalifa and Taj Mahal, explore glowing continents, get creative with pottery and slime, or enjoy glitter, braids and nail art at Glow Pop House. It’s playtime with a passport twist.
From AED120 for two hours. Open daily. For further information, follow @lalalittlewonders
Be Beach is back at Dubai Harbour
From Thursday, 24 September, Dubai Harbour
Beach days are back trending again. Be Beach is reopening at Dubai Harbour this Thursday, bringing back sun loungers, poolside hangs, waterfront dining and golden-hour drinks for the new season. Spend the day by the water, settle in for a relaxed afternoon by the pool or stick around for sunset sessions as the venue shifts from laid-back daytime vibes into evening entertainment. Whether you’re planning a beach day with friends or just fancy drinks by the water, Be Beach is back for the season.
For further information, follow @bebeachdxb
Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival at MEI
25 to 27 September, MEI Restaurant, Mina Al Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
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Fancy celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival with a delicious twist? MEI at Mina Al Salam is marking the occasion with a special three-day menu centred around one very tasty ingredient: crab. Expect dishes including Black Truffle King Crab Soup, Crab Salad, Snow Crab Dumplings, Spicy Crab Roll and Alaskan King Crab, alongside sharing dishes such as Buddha’s Delight and Corn Fed Chicken. Finish with a traditional Moon Cake dessert, while the celebration also extends to SHI and MOLI.
Moon Cake AED50. For further information, follow @mei_dubai on Instagram
Shop local at MINT Market
Sunday, 27 September, Zabeel House, The Greens, Dubai
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Make a Sunday of it at MINT Market, which is heading back to Zabeel House, The Greens for an afternoon of shopping, good food and family fun. Expect a curated line-up of UAE homegrown brands, plenty of kids’ activities and a dog-friendly setting, all with free entry. Feeling hungry? Stick around for Social Company’s Sunday Roast, priced from AED135, while little ones aged six and under can eat for free with an accompanying adult order.
Entry is free. For further information, follow @mintmarket.ae on Instagram
Treat yourself to a desert daycation
From 23 September, Meliá Desert Palm, Dubai
Meliá Desert Palm has launched a new Daycation experience combining spa time, poolside lounging and a three-course lunch for a seriously relaxing day out. Start with a one-hour restorative massage at SAMĀNA Spa, followed by your choice of a Rose Quartz Antioxidant Collagen Mask or Gua Sha Facial Massage, before making the most of pool access. Then head to Epicure for a three-course Mediterranean and Levantine-inspired lunch.
AED549 per person. For bookings, call 04 602 9328 or WhatsApp 04 602 9333
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Make a day of it at Ribambelle
The Wharf, Bluewaters Island, Dubai
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Parents, this one comes with a handy little bonus: you can actually enjoy your meal while the kids are busy having fun. Ribambelle at Bluewaters combines elevated international dining with a dedicated kids’ playground, creative workshops and family activities. Little ones can get stuck into everything from pizza-making to arts and crafts, while the venue also offers themed parties and celebrations. Add breakfast, lunch and dinner to the mix and you’ve got a full family day sorted.
For further information, visit ribambelle.ae
Lapita is back for family fun
From 21 September, Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai
Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts is reopening for the new season with refreshed spaces and plenty of family-friendly additions. New riverside recreation area Nalu Point brings padel, beach volleyball, giant snakes and ladders and chess to the resort, while the pools, lazy river and Kids Club are back for more holiday fun. There’s also a new Village Daycation Pass, including pool and gym access, 60 minutes of padel or beach volleyball, Kids Club time and AED150 of F&B credit.
Day passes from AED159 per adult. For bookings, call 04 810 9999
See a roaming performance at Souk Madinat Jumeirah
18 September–11 October, Fridays to Sundays, 4pm–8pm, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Keep an eye out for Time in Motion, a new roaming performance bringing desert heritage, contemporary movement, striking costumes and visual storytelling to Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Rather than taking place on a traditional stage, performers will move through the Souk’s walkways in sculptural costumes and fluid formations, creating moments to
discover as you explore, dine or simply wander around.
Enjoy breakfast above the clouds
Daily, 8am to 12pm, At.mosphere Lounge & Bar, Burj Khalifa, Dubai
Start the day with breakfast 442 metres above Dubai at At.mosphere Lounge & Bar, where the city skyline provides the backdrop. Tuck into golden viennoiserie, fresh fruit, artisanal charcuterie, European cheeses and creamy yoghurts, alongside signature dishes including morning moussaka, perfectly cooked eggs and Bruxelloise waffles topped with Chantilly cream. Want to make it extra indulgent? Add free-flowing Mimosas and settle in for a leisurely morning above the clouds.
AED450 per person, or AED600 with free-flowing Mimosas. For reservations, call 04 888 3828
LION is back in Downtown
Daily from 25 September, 6pm to midnight. Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai
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LION is reopening on the 62nd floor of Mandarin Oriental Downtown, bringing Mediterranean dining, open-fire cooking and sweeping Downtown views back to Dubai. Settle in for generous dishes including grilled lobster, king crab, aged cuts, handmade pasta and paella, all centred around seasonal ingredients and cooked over fire. The intimate restaurant opens onto a terrace overlooking the city, while LION Bar keeps the evening going with signature drinks inspired by places, memories and familiar flavours.
For further information, WhatsApp 056 573 8283
Try out this lively Sunday brunch with MESTIZOS at ZEA Dubai
Sundays, 3pm-7pm, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai
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Make your Sunday plans a little more exciting with MESTIZOS at ZEA Dubai, a lively brunch in DIFC blending Mediterranean and Latin flavours. You can expect sharing-style dishes, free-flowing drinks, DJs, live percussion and plenty of entertainment from 3pm to 7pm. And if you’re not ready to call it a day, the after-party keeps things going until midnight. With packages starting from AED 265, it’s a fun way to stretch out the weekend with friends.
AED265. For further information, follow @zea.dubai
Romeo & Juliet, with flamenco flair
27 September, The New Covent Garden Theatre
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Shakespeare’s timeless love story gets a fiery Spanish makeover as the Barcelona Flamenco Ballet brings Romeo & Juliet to the stage. This powerful production blends contemporary flamenco with dramatic storytelling, using intense rhythms, expressive movement and striking choreography to explore love, conflict and fate. Expect explosive ensemble performances alongside more intimate moments as the world’s most famous romance is retold through the passionate language of flamenco.
AED250. For further information, visit dubai.platinumlist.net
Get your Father Ted fix
25-26 September, Theatre by QE2, Dubai
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Craggy Island is coming to Dubai as the cult classic Father Ted gets a theatrical makeover. Expect a fast-paced evening packed with absurd situations, sharp one-liners and plenty of chaotic comedy as local actors from Dubai Drama Group bring the much-loved Irish series to the stage. The community theatre group has been part of Dubai’s performing arts scene for more than 40 years, so expect plenty of theatrical fun as the gang’s gloriously bonkers world comes to life.
AED99. For further information, visit dubai.platinumlist.net
