Now that the weekend has here, Dubai offers a plethora of relaxing and joyous activities for visitors to enjoy. This weekend is no exception; Dubai is the place for achieving all of those things and more, whether your goals are to shop till you drop, test out a new restaurant, or inject some goodness into the world. What your weekend has in store, make the most of it.
Friday, December 15
Scoop up some new streetwear
If you’re looking to buy something for your personal wardrobe or a Christmas present for your well-read friend, this weekend is an excellent one to purchase. This next weekend, Ounass and the UK streetwear brand Represent will be collaborating to host a pop-up at Mall of The Emirates that will last for a week, so there will be plenty of time for shopping. We’re certain to take home certain pieces from the unique Middle Eastern selection that will be on show at the pop-up.
December 15–22, Mall of The Emirates: Ounass x Represent.
Treat yourself
Has anyone placed a Christmas glow-up order? It’s time to take care of oneself. FIVE With a Sodashi facial, Palm Jumeirah is making it possible. Sodashi is a holistic skincare line that was established with two main procedures in mind. If you want a deep cleaning, go for the purity facial; if not, the thermal infusion facial is excellent for rebalancing.
Refive Spa, FIVE Palm Jumeirah, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Friday through Sunday.
It’s all about wellness this weekend
Recently, a fresh local health centre opened. Zoga is a recently opened yoga café where patrons can grab a hot cup of coffee at the vegan cafe and rediscover their inner zen. There are many different classes available. Visit their website to select your class and download the app.
Zoga has multiple locations in Dubai.
Get in the festive spirit with the Nutcracker
The Nutcracker, arguably the most well-known ballet, is a fundamental aspect of the Christmas season. The tale is presented to us by the Ballet Theatre and National Opera Orchestra of Astana, Kazakhstan, and is set to one of Tchaikovsky’s most well-known works.
Dec. 15–17, Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai.
Saturday, December 16
Check out a free entry equestrian show
This weekend, the Emirates Equestrian Centre will stage a three-day show jumping spectacular. The free-entry Virtus CSI2* International Horse Show will include some of the best riders in the world competing for a stunning prize money of Dhs330,000. Along with to some fantastic show-jumping action, there will be pop-ups from Press Cafe, a local coffee store, and Bite Me, a DIFC staple. On Saturday, there will be a fancy costume class that will bring the fun and silliness to the main arena.
Emirates Equestrian Centre, free, Dec. 15–17, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
A Grecian lunch awaits
We advise you to take advantage of this food, which is the final Athenian lunch to be held at Avli until 2023, if you haven’t already. Take pleasure in a lunch that will remind you of the traditional Greek snacks and meals from 1pm to 5pm.
Sat. Dec. 16 from 1pm to 5pm at Avli by Tashas, Gate Avenue, DIFC; Dhs400 soft, Dhs520 house, Dhs650 Champagne, a la carte choices.
Head to the Be Beach for a party on the sand
We have seen Go Beach collaborate with some pretty amazing DJs since it opened, and this weekend is no differently. The recently opened beach club will be led by Marco Carola for an amazing afternoon of hypnotic and beachy feelings. He and Anothr will face off soon after.
Be The beach, Dubai Harbour; tickets from Dhs 200 on Sunday, December 16.
Solomun at the Media City Amphitheatre
Solomun, another really well-liked DJ on the Dubai nightlife scene, will be the next act at the Soho Garden Festival. He will appear on our stage at the Media City Amphitheatre on Saturday, December 16. The Bosnian-German producer is no stranger to the city; he has previously made many appearances in Dubai. In 2002, the 46-year-old DJ began his musical career and soon gained fame for his remixes.
Amphitheatre in Media City, Soho Garden Festival.
Ibiza Orchestra takes on Bla Bla
This December 16th, experience a party unlike another as a 26-piece orchestra plays some of the biggest classics from the island of Ibiza. The orchestra will land in Dubai following an amazing completely sold-out tour of the United Kingdom, featuring live DJs, live vocalists, and more than thirty years of musical history from the island.
The Ibiza Orchestra Experience, Saturday, December 16, Dubai, Bla Bla, JBR.
Sunday, December 17
Keep supporting Palestine
This next weekend, in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation, there will be an especially distinctive market with every penny raised going to The Little Wings Foundation. Wings for Gaza will include kid-friendly events, a market with an array of stands, and a silent auction featuring Palestinian artwork.
Sun. Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., A1 space, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz; admission is Dhs. 150 (minimum donation of Dhs. 150), children free; events begin at Dhs. 50. Here, reserve your place.
Check out a new restaurant in the Fishing Harbour
Recently, a fresh seafood restaurant opened its doors on the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour waterfront. Bordo Mavi, from the legendary brains of 3fils, is the perfect place to go this weekend if you want to relax. Savour a food that is fresh and takes its cues from the water while taking in the sweeping view of the sea. Sheikh Hamdan has already been the finest part.
Jumeirah Fishing Harbour’s Bordo Mavi is open every day from 12 p.m. until 11.30p.m.
See Santa in blue
It’s “out with the old and in with the blue,” according to Santa. This year, Deliveroo is introducing us to a Teal Santa, who you can meet and greet at Ripe Market, one of Dubai’s most popular outdoor markets, instead of the guy in red. Between 4 and 6 p.m., Santa will be out and about giving out gifts and prizes to anyone who reached the good list.
From 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17, in Dubai Police Academy Park, Spot teal Santa, Ripe Market, Umm Sequim.
Masterclass for the kids
Ensuring your children learn vital skills is of utmost importance, and Sfumato aims to achieve this goal by offering a kids’ food masterclass. This Sunday-based curriculum will teach your kids how to work magic in the kitchen. Only 10 spaces are available each weekend at Dhs 75 per person, so reserve your ticket in early and watch your kids become gourmet experts.
Omniyat’s Sfumato, The Opus, Al A’amal Street, Business Bay.
