World-class comics, legendary crooners, meal deals, free fitness and more: Dubai won't slow down over the six-day Eid Al Fitr weekend. Here are 22 things to do during your time off.
Also, head here for 16 things to do in Abu Dhabi over the Eid weekend.
Monday, June 3
1. Eat non-stop pizza
Matto in Business Bay is a solid Italian restaurant with delicious homely food. Its Monday night pizza and drink deal is very affordable, too. Pay Dh100 for non-stop pizza and one bitter orange cocktail, Dh180 for two hours of non-stop pizza and house drinks, or Dh280 for non-stop pizza and specialty drinks.
The Oberoi, Business Bay, from 8pm to 11.30pm. Call 04 444 1335
2. Go to a free yoga class in Dubai Marina
There are a lot of free yoga classes around the city - from Karama to Barsha - and on Monday night you'll find a class at Skydive Dubai's free Calisthenics gym located between Dubai Marina and Media City. The class runs from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, and is free, but you do need to register (which is quite a lengthy process). There's a free yoga class in Barsha on Monday, too (read more about that here).
Calisthenics Park, Al Seyahi Street, from 8.30pm, free. More information on how to register on Facebook
3. Watch the cricket at Irish Village
There's a cricket room at the Irish Village, which is a great place to watch the action: Monday's ODI is England versus Pakistan, so the atmosphere at the pub is likely to be lively. You can book a private room, too, if you have a group of eight to 15 people (call 04 282 4750 to do so).
Irish Village, Garhoud, throughout the Cricket World Cup. More information on website
4. Watch a very stressful, but funny, Powerpoint
On Monday, head to Courtyard Theatre to see Speechless: Improvised Powerpoint, in which entertainers, entrepreneurs and audience members are put on the spot with nothing more than a stage, a microphone and a PowerPoint deck full of surprising images that they've never seen. Hilarity, hopefully, ensues.
The Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz. More information and bookings on website
Tuesday, June 4
5. See fireworks at La Mer and Al Seef (date dependent on Eid)
Fireworks will light up the sea next to Jumeirah, and the waters of the Creek at 9pm on the first day of Eid Al Fitr (which is expected to be June 4; however, this may change, so please double-check). The fireworks are best viewed from La Mer and Al Seef, which have a host of restaurants, too. See this article for more on Eid fireworks across Dubai (and Abu Dhabi).
Al Seef and La Mer, 9pm, date dependent on moon sighting
6. See La Perle by Dragone at a quarter of the price
La Perle, the Middle East's first permanent "Las Vegas-style" show, is an aerial and aqua performance that takes place at a custom-made, 10-storey high, state-of-the-art theatre in Al Habtoor City, and tickets are 75 per cent off over the Eid holiday. VIP tickets, which are usually Dh1,680, are down to Dh599. Platinum has gone from Dh1,260 to Dh299. Gold is down from Dh840 to Dh249 and Silver tickets are Dh199 (as opposed to Dh630). You can buy yours on platinumlist.net, but they're "selling fast", we're told.
Al Habtoor City (near Business Bay), multiple performances. More information on website
Wednesday, June 5
7. Eat at Weslodge for almost half price
Weslodge, which is on one of the top floors of the ultra-high JW Marriott Marquis in Business Bay, is a great bistro that serves modern American food: think fancy fried chicken, fish tacos and seabass ceviche. To celebrate Eid, it's offering 40 per cent off the total bill during dinner service from June 4 to June 7. Eid dinner sorted, then.
JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay. More information on Facebook
8. Train to climb up stairs (actually)
Media One Hotel in Dubai Media City hosts a stair-climb race every year in support of Gulf For Good. Even if you're not interested in the race, anyone can turn up to one of the training sessions for a guaranteed good workout. You just need to be over the age of 16 and pay Dh50. It's a particularly good training option for anyone interested in a spot of mountaineering.
Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, 5pm to 6pm, Dh50. More information on Facebook
9. Pay to play netball
The Dubai Sevens Stadium has a great set of netball courts, and on Wednesday nights there's a pay-to-play session. Turn up at 7pm, as an individual or team, pay Dh25, and get playing. You do need to register first, however.
Dubai Sevens Stadium, 7pm to 10pm, Dh25. More information on registration on Facebook
Thursday, June 6
10. Meet the Sylvanian Families
Kinokunya book store in The Dubai Mall (which is always worth a visit) is hosting a special meet-and-greet with the Sylvanian Families creatures this weekend. Little ones will be able to have their photo taken with Freya and generally immerse themselves in the world of their favourite toys.
The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, 4pm to 7pm, Thursday June 6 to Saturday June 8. More information on Facebook
11. See Russell Peters at the all-new Dubai Arena
City Walk's new indoor arena opens tonight, with comedian Russell Peters inaugurating the venue with his Deported World Tour. Peters is known for his close-to-the-bone, observational-style comedy that centres on highlighting racial stereotypes, throwing any semblance of political correctness out of the window. He has been named one of Rolling Stone's 50 Best Comics of All Time. The Canadian comedian told The National that his Middle East shows are usually the same as they are in North America: "I may curse a little less, but I won't change my act for anyone."
Dubai Arena, City Walk, 9pm, tickets still available for from Dh350. Buy tickets here
12. Croon along with Tamer Hosny
With a career that spans 17 years, Egyptian singer Tamer Hosny is one of the stalwarts of the Arabic music scene. He's performing at the prestigious Dubai Opera on June 6, but we expect the crowd to get up and dance. Fancy a pre-theatre meal? Try Kizmet in the Dubai Opera - its small sharing plates are the perfect option for before a show.
Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, from 9pm, tickets from Dh330. Buy tickets here
13. Watch some local theatre
The theatre company behind March's My Name is Rachel Corrie return to the stage in Al Quoz with The Walworth Face, written by Edna Walsh and first performed in 2006, on June 6. Declan O'Sullivan stars and Padraig Downey directs the story, which is set in a council flat on Elephant and Castle in London. The show will also be performed on June 7, 8 and 11.
Courtyard Playhouse, Al Quoz, 8pm to 10pm, for more information on bookings and tickets, contact danudxb@gmail.com. More information on website
14. Dine on Thai street eats
Mango Tree (which used to be in Downtown but is now in JBR) is one of the most consistent Thai restaurants in the city, and from June 6 to June 8 it's putting on a special Bangkok street-food menu. The three-course menu costs Dh120 with a soft drink or a house beverage, and is available from lunch. Read more about the restaurant here.
Hilton Dubai The Walk, JBR, from noon until late. Call 04 374 7555
Friday, June 7
15. Shop at a night Ripe Market at Dubai Festival City
Now that the summer is officially here, Ripe Market has moved indoors, and you'll find it at Dubai Festival City Mall from 5pm until late on Friday. There will be about 100 local businesses selling everything from artisanal bread to organic skincare. And, of course, Ripe's organic veggie market will be there, too. If you'd rather shop during the day, you'll also find a Ripe Market at the Springs Souk from 10am to late on both Friday and Saturday.
Dubai Festival City Mall, 10am until late, Friday and Saturday. More information on Facebook
16. Go to a secret party at Barasti
Barasti bar is launching its "house of whatever" today, which will run until September 28 (so basically the whole summer season). What is it? Well, that's being kept secret. But the team do promise an assortment of things, including a silent disco, giveaways, celebrities (really?) and performances.
Barasti, Mina Seyahi, 7pm to 3am. More information on Facebook
17. Thrash to Polish metal
Are you a fan of heavy metal? Polish metal band Vader are performing in Rigga this weekend, and are being supported by NervoChaos from Brazil and Fatal Qualm from the UAE. The opposite of a quiet night in.
ElBarrio, Hyatt Place, Rigga, from 9pm to 3am, tickets Dh150. Buy tickets here
Saturday, June 8
18. Try out pottery
Every Saturday, Yadawei Ceramic Studio in Al Quoz hosts a pottery discovery day for families. Novices can turn up and have an hour of learning from the experienced teachers. The event is open to all ages, so kids should come, too.
Al Quoz, from 11am to noon, Dh80 for adults and Dh45 for kids. More information on Facebook
19. Have a family day out at Reform
Reform Social & Grill is a family favourite in the Lakes. It has a huge lawn and a relaxed feel, and is hosting a "kids bonanza" on June 8. There will be free activities, including slime, face painting and a bouncy castle. There will also be a market, and live music from Sounds of Nomads. Adults can opt for a two-for-one roast, and kids eat for free. Booking is essential.
The Lakes, Emirates Living, from 3pm. Call 04 454 2638 for bookings
20. Watch Japanese anime classics
Cinema Akil - the UAE's first bona fide arthouse cinema - is hosting a Studio Ghibli week that starts on Friday, June 7, and runs until Saturday, June 15. The special run features eight films from the famous Japanese anime studio, with Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away playing on June 8. Other films screening include The Tale of Princess Kaguya (June 7 and 11), Spirited Away (June 8, 13 and 15), My Neighbour Totoro (June 13 and 15) and Kiki's Delivery Service (June 12, 14 and 15).
Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue, June 7 to 15, Dh52.50. Seating is unassigned so arrive early. More information on website
21. Also, watch Restless Creature at Cinema Akil for free
Also on at Cinema Akil on June 8 is 2017 documentary Restless Creature, which is being screened for free and is a portrait of prima ballerina Wendy Whelan. The movie is free: first-come, first-seated, so get there early. See all of the movies playing as part of this American Film Showcase here.
Cinema Akil, Al Quoz, 3pm, free. More information on website
22. Eat ethically sourced seafood at Pier Chic
Pier Chic, the restaurant that juts dramatically out into the ocean in Jumeirah, is serving a five-course, ethically-sourced seafood menu for five days only (June 4 to 8) to celebrate World Oceans Day, which falls on Saturday, June 8.
Madinat Jumeirah, from 12.30pm to 11.30pm, Tuesday, June 4, to Saturday, June 8. Call 800 666 353
