From live performances by Alica Keys and Stormzy, to new brunches and much more
Weekends have been a hot topic this week, with the UAE announcement of a weekend shift to Saturday and Sunday for federal government employees.
For now at least, Friday’s and Saturday’s are still the norm. There are a few more Friday brunches to be had yet.
To be sure you make the most of your weekend, check out these wonderful additions for your diary.
See Alicia Keys Live
It’s guaranteed to be a December to Remember at Expo 2020. Alicia Keys will be performing on Friday December 10, live at the Al Wasl stage. Her special performance will be a celebration of her 20 years of chart-topping music and she will debut a new double album. You’re not going to want to miss it.
Fri Dec 10. 10pm. Al Wasl Plaza, Expo Rd, Dubai, expo2020dubai.com.
Celebrate the season for sharing
It’s no secret that the festive season is all about sharing. Why not do just that with your friends and loved ones at the newly-opened Cleo restaurant at Hyde Hotel Dubai, in Business Bay. Expect a menu of vibrant sharing-style Eastern Mediterranean-inspired dishes in a beautiful and simple yet elegant setting. Whilst you delve in, you’ll enjoy live DJ sets and stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and beyond.
Dinner 6pm-1am. Business Bay, Dubai, hydeDubai.com (0 487 1111).
Get pics by the pool
Gather your squad because there’s a hot new hangout in Downtown. Lolita Pool Bar & Lounge at Pullman Dubai Downtown just launched this week so why not add it to your weekend to-do list? Prepare to take plenty of poolside selfies with impressive views of the Burj Khalifa and beyond in the backdrop at this colourful, Miami-inspired oasis. What’s more, there are tasty bites such as salmon maki, poke bowls and orange-glazed crispy chicken wings available to order.
Open daily from 9am until late. Downtown, Marasi Dr, Business Bay, Dubai, pullmandubaidowntown.com (04 369 0000).
Enjoy an early Christmas gift
Expo 2020 is offering an early Christmas gift for all with its Festive Passes for Dhs95. To get well and truly in the merry mood, get yourself down to Expo 2020 this weekend and partake in the jam-packed festive programme of events.
Dhs95. Expo Rd, Dubai, expo2020dubai.com (04 555 2020).
Indulge in a French fare
French cuisine is always a good idea, oui? If you are in search of something new to try this weekend then get to Le Rose at Address Fountain Views. The chic restaurant has just opened its doors on the 12th floor of the hotel. You can get stuck into all of the French faves such as onion soup, baked camembert and black Angus steak. Be sure to top it all off with a bit of cracking crème brûlée. Goes without saying.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai, instagram.com/lerosedubai (056 828 6090).
Grab a good read
This weekend, FOCAL POINT art book fair will be returning to Sharjah Art Foundation. The event will showcase more than 500 titles from 120 publishers from the UAE and MENA region. If you’re looking for a page-turner, look no further.
Free admission, booking required. Thu Dec 9, Talks Programme, 10am-4pm, Art Book Fair 4pm-10pm; Dec 10 4pm-10pm; Dec 11 4pm-10pm. Sharjah Art Foundation, sharjahart.org.
Feast your eyes on gingerbread
Head to H Hotel Dubai to feast your eyes on the epic gingerbread replica of the hotel and Expo 2020. The impressive seven-and-a-half-metre long sweet structure took eight people 700 hours to make. You can see it for yourself in H Hotel Dubai’s lobby. Tempting as it may be, it’s a feast for the eyes only. No nibbling.
Sheikh Zayed Rd, Trade Centre, Trade Centre 1, Dubai, hoteldubai.com (04 501 8888).
Time Out Market for brekkie
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day so why not start your day in the best way at Time Out Market Dubai? Its worldly array of food vendors plate up a unique selection of breakfasts so you can go on a global adventure before it’s even midday. Why not get in some morning goodness with a bowl of breakfast pho from Vietnamese foodies or give the flippin-good crème brûlée pancakes from Nightjar a go?
Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, timeoutmarket.com/dubai.
Get the good times flowing
If you’re looking to try something new this weekend and want to get the good times flowing, why not head down to Fluid Beach Club with your brunch buds to check out its new Jealous poolside offering. Grab your swimmers and gear up for Miami vibes, live DJ sets and BBQ bites aplenty.
Dhs299 (house package). Dhs (house package with sparkling grape). Fri, 1pm-5pm. all.accor.com/hotel/B5B6/index.en.shtml, West Palm, Crescent Rd, Jumeirah, Dubai (04 525 8888).
Wonder around the Winter Garden
If you’ve yet to check out the Winter Garden at Habtoor Palace, this weekend is the time to do it. Set against the stunning backdrop of Habtoor Palace, you’ll feel as though you have been transported to a wonderland of festive food, drink and fun for all of the family.
5pm-midnight every day until Mar 31 2022. Al Habtoor City, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai. lxrhotels3.hilton.com/lxr/habtoor-palace-dubai (04 435 5555).
See Dubai on high
Need a thrill this festive season? If so you’ll want to check out Sky Views Dubai opens at Address Sky View Hotel. The recently-opened observation deck features a glass floor, see-through slide and if you’re really feeling daring you can harness up and lean over the precipice for an unparalleled view of Dubai on high from 220 metres up.
Open daily 10am-10pm. Address Sky View Hotel, Downtown Dubai.
Rap up for Stormzy
If you feel like turning up the volume on the weekend then don’t miss out on the headline performance by BRIT Award-winning artist Stormzy at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix post-race concert. It will be the British rapper’s debut performance in Abu Dhabi, who will also be joined by Lewis Capaldi and Khalid for an epic evening.
Dec 9-12. Yas Marina, Yas Island, yasmarinacircuit.com.
Get your adrenaline fix
Prepare for a spectacular sporting event this weekend at the Coca-Cola Arena in the form of an action-packed night of boxing. The fights will feature some of the world’s top boxers for what is set to be an unmissable event. John Riel Casimero will be defending his WBO bantamweight title against mandatory challenger Paul Butler. Sunny Edwards will be defending his IBF flyweight title against Jayson Mama. Multiple-weight world champion Donnie Nietes will be taking to the ring, along with former world title challenger Jono Carroll, undefeated sensation Archie Sharp and many more elite athletes. Sports fans, be sure not to miss it.
From Dhs50. Sat Dec 11, 5:30pm. City Walk, Al Safa Street, www.coca-cola-arena.com (800 223388).
See the world’s largest band
The world’s largest live band, ‘Paris Select’ is set to perform at The Theatre this weekend. With more than 60 international artists on stage, prepare for an unforgettable performance that you are not going to want to miss. Expect music like you’ve never heard it before with a mashup of classical symphony and party band beats.
Dec 1-11, 7:30pm (first seating). 10pm (second seating). Fairmont Hotel, Trade Centre – Trade Centre 1, Dubai. thetheaterdubai.com (04 222 2268).
Pop to Palmarama
Feel like letting your hair down this weekend? If the answer is yes then get yourself down to WHITE Beach at The Atlantis. As part of the awesome Palmarama line-up, DJ Black Coffee will be taking to the stage to turn up the weekend and give you the energy you need to party into the night on the sand.
Dhs4,000 (minimum spend). Fri Dec 10, 5pm until late. The Atlantis, The Palm Jumeirah, atlantis.com/dubai (054 582 2778).
Get cracking with the Christmas shopping
Whether you are super-organised and have everything brought, wrapped and in the bag well ahead of schedule or if you leave things to the last minute, when it comes to your festive purchases quintessentially British brand, Marks & Spencer has you covered. It is hosting four festive pop-ups at Marina Mall, Nakheel Mall, Arabian Ranches and Al Jimi, so you’ll be able to grab some gifts, festive decs and Christmas delights. Mince pie anyone?
Marina Mall (10am-10pm on weekdays, 10am-midnight on weekends). Nakheel Mall (10am-10pm weekdays, 10am-midnight on weekends). Arabian Ranches (8am-10pm every day). Al Jimi (open 10am-10pm weekdays, 10am-midnight on weekends). Open until Dec 31.
