It's set to be a busy week across the UAE, with plenty of major events happening in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From performances by the likes of Eminem and Trevor Noah in the capital, to Grammy Award-winning group Arrested Development playing in Dubai, some of the world's biggest stars are set to descend on the Emirates.
The Middle East Games Con will also make its return and Joe Wicks aka The Body Coach will attempt to break a Guinness World Record. Here are all the events you need to know about:
Grab your discounted tickets for the return of Sole DXB
Streetwear festival Sole DXB is back for another year. Set to take place between Thursday, December 5 and Saturday, December 7, the three-day food, art, music, fashion and cultural event is celebrating all things Jamaica this year. Expect international music acts and stalls from global brands, including Adidas, Burberry and Cadillac. Until Tuesday, October 22, weekend passes are available for a pre-sale price of Dh245. The regular price is Dh375.
Thursday, December 5 to Saturday, December 7; Dh245 (day pass), Dh295 (pre-sale), Dh375 (regular); Dubai Design District; www.soledxb.com/tickets
Witness the start of Yas Racing Season in Abu Dhabi
The first round of Yas Racing Series Season 6 takes place at Yas Marina Circuit between Thursday, October 24 and Saturday, October 26. Motorsports fans will get to see the first test for the TRD 86 Cup, enjoy a classic car parade and take part in a "Circuit Safari" over the course of the weekend.
Thursday, October 24 to Saturday, October 26; from Dh25; Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.yasmarinacircuit.com
Celebrate Oktoberfest at the Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi
Oktoberferst returns to the Marriott Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi on Thursday, October 24 for a week of celebrations championing the German tradition. Until Thursday, October 31, there will be daily performances from the Oktoberfest band, as well as a specially curated Oktoberfest menu and deals on food and drink.
Thursday, October 24 to Thursday, October 31; free entry; Marriott Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi; www.marriott.com
Festival of lights celebration at The Waterfront Market Dubai
The waterfront promenade on the Deira Corniche will play host to a plethora of activities and food stalls from Thursday, October 24. Visitors can contribute to the giant rangoli and mural painting, enjoy a spot of Bollywood dancing, or sample bite-sized eats at various restaurant pop-ups.
Thursday, October 24 to Tuesday, October 29, 3pm-9pm, Waterfront Market, intersection of Al Khaleej road and Abu Hail street, Deira, Dubai, www.thewaterfrontmarket.ae
Get competitive at the Middle East Games Con in Abu Dhabi
Middle East Games Con is set to return to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre for the third time. Taking place between Thursday, October 24 and Saturday, October 26, this year's event will include appearances from the likes of YouTube star and presenter MatPat and is expected to attract more than 20,000 gaming fans. There will be a number of meet and greets, product launches, esport tournaments, cosplay competitions and more.
Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25, 2pm-10pm; Saturday, October 26, 1pm-9pm; from Dh115.50; Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre; me-gamescon.com
Enjoy an Elephant Parade in Dubai
The famous Elephant Parade is coming to the Middle East for the first time, as 50 of the beautifully painted life-sized baby elephant sculptures are set to be displayed in Dubai. The global social enterprise initiative travels around the world and aims to raise money and awareness for elephant conservation. The open-air exhibition is coming to Dubai Festival City Mall from Thursday, October 24 until Friday, November 29, as part of the mall's fourth annual Imagine show.
Thursday, October 24, to Friday, November 29; Dubai Festival City Mall; www.dubaifestivalcitymall.com
Challenge yourself at The City Half Marathon in Dubai
A new race, The City Half Marathon, is set to take place in Dubai on Friday, October 25. You will have the choice of running a 5km, 10km or 21km course around DIFC. Participants will start in front of the Gate Building and run through the financial district, which is described as fast and flat, while enjoying views of the Burj Khalifa, Emirates Towers and the Museum of the Future.
Friday, October 25, 6am; from Dh130; Dubai International Financial Centre; www.cityhalfmarathon.com
Catch Grammy-winning group Arrested Development in Dubai
Grammy Award-winning group Arrested Development return to Dubai this October for a one-off performance at The Irish Village. The American hip-hop heavyweights will bring their extensive back catalogue to the emirate on Friday, October 25. Their hits include Tennessee and People Everyday. The band will be joined by UK folk-rock duo Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood, alongside Dubai six-piece instrumentalists Jaye & Foe.
Friday, October 25, 9pm-11pm; Dh175; The Irish Village, Garhoud, Dubai; www.theirishvillage.com
Laugh at Trevor Noah in Abu Dhabi
Trevor Noah, comedian and host of The Daily Show, returns to du Forum for two nights of stand-up hilarity. Noah has been performing regularly in the UAE since 2014. He headlined the Dubai Comedy Festival in 2015 and last performed in Abu Dhabi in December 2017. Tickets for the cancelled December 2018 show will still be valid. Contact Ticketmaster on 800 86823 for more information. The show on Friday, October 25 is sold out.
Friday, October 25, 8.30pm; Saturday, October 26, 7pm; Dh300, du Forum, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.ticketmaster.ae
Catch Eminem's return to Abu Dhabi
American rapper Eminem is returning to Abu Dhabi this October as part of his Kamikaze world tour. The stadium show will feature other performers including Royce Da 5'9 and DJ The Alchemist. Eminem's hit songs include Lose Yourself, Stan, Without Me and The Real Slim Shady.
Friday, October 25, 6pm; from Dh395; du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; www.ticketmaster.ae
Go hiking in Al Ain
Kick-start your weekend with a hike in the Garden City. Adventure Emarat and Mubarak Medical Centre have teamed up for a one-day hike and health session in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness. Hikers will meet at the foothills of Jebel Hafeet at 7am before heading into the Green Mubazzarah park for five hours of trekking. It’s a level two hike – so you’ll need an intermediate level of fitness. Afterwards, there will be a family day with games and a meditative relaxation session, as well as informative talks on topics such as nutrition and breast cancer.
Friday, October 25, 7am-6pm; free (prior registration required); Green Mubazzarah, Al Ain; meetup.com/Adventure-Emarat/events/265370584
Head to Truckers UAE in Dubai
Truckers UAE (formerly Truckers DXB) is hosting its open-air food fair this month. Expect bite-sized treats from a dozen or so food trucks, including 1762 Smoked, Moshi, Moylos, Mom's Crepe, Wingsters, Frings and Kubbah. There will also be a live band, a crafts market, children's activities and free golf lessons.
Saturday, October 26; 3pm-11pm; free; Emirates Golf Club, Dubai; www.truckers.ae
Take a walking photography and food tour in Old Dubai
Celebrate the festival of lights with a walking photography and food tour in Old Dubai with Frying Pan Adventures and Gulf Photo Plus. Starting at Baniyas Square Metro Station, the four-hour tour will take participants to a 60-year-old temple tucked away in the alleys of Meena Bazaar, where they can capture glittering streets and family-run jewellery shops, and stroll alongside local celebrants decked out in festive wear. The street-side energy and kaleidoscopic colours offer an opportunity to practise street photography skills, and guests will also dine on sweet and savoury treats from bustling Bur Dubai eateries. All you need to take is a camera (mobile or DSLR), although we recommend carrying a pair of socks if you don't want to enter the temple barefooted.
Saturday, October 26, 5.45pm-10pm; Dh595; Diwali Unseen Trails, Gulf Photo Plus, meeting at Baniyas Square Metro Station, Deira, Dubai; gulfphotoplus.com
Join Joe Wicks for a record-breaking HIIT workout in Dubai
Joe Wicks, better known as The Body Coach, will be in Dubai as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, and he's hoping to break his own world record while he is here. The star, known for his Lean in 15 cookbooks, will be hosting the world's biggest HIIT class at Skydive Dubai. Wicks is hoping to be joined by more than 4,000 participants in order to break the record with the 30-minute workout. Registration is required.
Saturday, October 26; 7am; free entry; Skydive Dubai, Dubai Marina; www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com
Run away with the circus at Dubai's newest brunch
Secret Circus Brunch launched on Friday, October 18, at Paru in the Caesars Resort, operated by the people behind Secret Parties. Guests are served pan-Asian dishes prepared by celebrity chef Akira Back, as well as a healthy helping of entertainment, including from circus acts, a DJ and a live percussionist. The four-hour brunch package is followed up with an after-party on the terrace.
Fridays, 1pm-5pm; from Dh299; Caesars Resort Bluewaters Dubai, Bluewaters Island; www.secret-parties.com
Have brunch at the Palace
The Emirates Palace brunch is back for a new season and the focus is firmly on gourmet street food at Las Brisas. Think of the world’s most famous street food dishes and then get ready to soak up the sights, sounds, aromas and flavours of the very same as you wander the manicured gardens of the palace. Check out the stalls set up to serve a host of street food from around the world and enjoy an afternoon in the Palace grounds. Children under five eat for free.
Fridays, 12.30pm-4pm; from Dh370 with soft drinks, Dh185 for children aged 6-12; Las Brisas, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi; 02 690 7999, www.kempinski.com
Check out a new art exhibition in Dubai
See the exhibition More Than Words at Opera Gallery Dubai in DIFC, featuring artworks that cleverly incorporate the use of text. Pieces by world-renowned artists such as Tracey Emin, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Mel Bochner are on show, demonstrating humanity’s most fundamental symbols.
Sunday to Thursday, 10am-10pm; Friday, 2pm-9pm; Saturday, 11am-9pm; until Wednesday, October 30; free; Opera Gallery Dubai, DIFC; www.operagallery.com
