• Grab a vegan donut on Monday. Photo: Tres Marias, O-Here Donuts
    Grab a vegan donut on Monday. Photo: Tres Marias, O-Here Donuts
  • Have a special dinner at the Orfali Bros Bistro on Tuesday. Photo: Orfali Bros and Neolokal
    Have a special dinner at the Orfali Bros Bistro on Tuesday. Photo: Orfali Bros and Neolokal
  • Try out the newly launched Gamebox by Majid Al Futtaim on Wednesday. Photo: Majid Al Futtaim
    Try out the newly launched Gamebox by Majid Al Futtaim on Wednesday. Photo: Majid Al Futtaim
  • Catch the dinosaur parade at Dubai Parks and Resorts on Thursday. Photo: Dubai Parks and Resorts
    Catch the dinosaur parade at Dubai Parks and Resorts on Thursday. Photo: Dubai Parks and Resorts
  • Catch the new Divine show at 53 Lounge & Restaurant on Friday. Photo: 53 Lounge & Restaurant
    Catch the new Divine show at 53 Lounge & Restaurant on Friday. Photo: 53 Lounge & Restaurant
  • Watch Blackpink at the Etihad Park on Saturday. Photo: AP
    Watch Blackpink at the Etihad Park on Saturday. Photo: AP
  • Catch Syrian artist Bu Kolthoum at Quoz Arts Fest on Sunday. WireImage
    Catch Syrian artist Bu Kolthoum at Quoz Arts Fest on Sunday. WireImage

Things to do this week in the UAE, from Blackpink to vegan doughnuts


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Whether you want to grab some limited-edition vegan doughnuts or groove along to K-pop hits at the much-awaited Blackpink concert in Abu Dhabi, there are plenty of things to enjoy this week in the UAE.

Here, The National rounds up seven things you can do from January 23 to 29.

Monday

If you are participating in Veganuary, or you are actually vegan, perhaps the plant-based doughnuts by Tres Marias and Here-O Donuts are for you.

The limited-edition creation, made with oat milk, is available across several locations in Dubai, including Tres Marias Coffee in Al Quoz, Nakheel Mall and City Centre Mirdif.

They are available until the end of January.

Tuesday

Orfali Bros Bistro is at Wasl 51. Photo: Orfali Bros
Orfali Bros Bistro is at Wasl 51. Photo: Orfali Bros

Renowned regional chefs Mohamad Orfali of Orfali Bros and Maksut Askar of Istanbul’s Neolokal are teaming up for a special 14-course menu, available for one night only.

The chefs are promising a selection of innovative dishes inspired by modern Anatolian cuisine as chef Askar's Neolokal is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Istanbul that focuses on using Turkish heritage produce.

The dinner is taking place at the Orfali Bros Bistro in Jumeirah, with two seating options, one at 6.30pm and another at 9pm. Bookings can be made at orfalibros.com.

Wednesday

The newly opened Gamebox by Majid Al Futtaim has seven interactive rooms that have been launched across Magic Planet outlets at City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah.

The game rooms are equipped with touch screens, 3D motion tracking and surround sound and can accommodate groups of two to six players.

Several games are available, including those with Angry Birds and Squid Game themes.

Thursday

A three-course early-bird set menu for Dh150 is on offer from 6pm at 53 Restaurant & Lounge at Sheraton Grand Sheikh Zayed Road, which has also launched a new show called Divine, which starts at 10pm.

The show, which runs daily until March, features choreographed acrobats and live performers, including singers, saxophonists and percussionists.

On the Mediterranean and Asian-inspired menu are dishes such as miso Ceasar salad, chicken tsukune or kisu tempura for starters; corn and truffle risotto, salmon or supreme chicken for main course; and either black sesame flan tart or chocolate truffles for dessert.

Dinner starts at 8pm; from Dh150; Sheraton Grand Sheikh Zayed Road; 056 253 5353

Friday

  • The Dino Mania parade will be held at 8pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Riverland, Dubai Parks & Resorts, until April. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    The Dino Mania parade will be held at 8pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Riverland, Dubai Parks & Resorts, until April. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Dino Mania at Riverland
    The Dino Mania at Riverland
  • The Dino Mania at Riverland
    The Dino Mania at Riverland
  • The Dino Mania at Riverland
    The Dino Mania at Riverland
  • The Dino Mania at Riverland
    The Dino Mania at Riverland
  • The Dino Mania at Riverland
    The Dino Mania at Riverland
  • The Dino Mania at Riverland
    The Dino Mania at Riverland

Catch a dinosaur-themed parade at Dubai Parks and Resorts. The new attraction brings the prehistoric world to life with a series of life-like animatronic dinosaurs, including a T-Rex, triceratops and raptors.

The parade features special sound effects, music and even fog to entertain families.

The parade takes place from Friday to Sunday at 8pm at Riverland Dubai.

Saturday

  • Blackpink consists of four members, from left, Lisa, Rose, Jisoo and Jennie. Getty Images
    Blackpink consists of four members, from left, Lisa, Rose, Jisoo and Jennie. Getty Images
  • The girl group are currently on their 'Born Pink' world tour. Reuters
    The girl group are currently on their 'Born Pink' world tour. Reuters
  • The group hit Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East. Photo: Netflix
    The group hit Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East. Photo: Netflix
  • Blackpink members also perform solo songs. AFP
    Blackpink members also perform solo songs. AFP
  • Jisoo, a member of the K-pop group, seen here at an event marking Dior's autumn 2022 collection in Seoul, South Korea. AP
    Jisoo, a member of the K-pop group, seen here at an event marking Dior's autumn 2022 collection in Seoul, South Korea. AP
  • Lisa of Blackpink at a Michael Kors fashion show in New York City. AFP
    Lisa of Blackpink at a Michael Kors fashion show in New York City. AFP
  • Blackpink at a fan meeting in Seoul in May 2017. Reuters
    Blackpink at a fan meeting in Seoul in May 2017. Reuters
  • Blackpink performing on stage during the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards in January 2019. Getty Images
    Blackpink performing on stage during the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards in January 2019. Getty Images
  • Blackpink performing at Coachella in Indio, California, in April 2019. Getty Images
    Blackpink performing at Coachella in Indio, California, in April 2019. Getty Images

Global K-pop sensation Blackpink are performing at Etihad Park, as part of their Born Pink world tour. General admission tickets cost Dh350 and are available at ticketmaster.ae.

The girl group peaked globally in 2020, with their hit Ice Cream reaching No 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. They also reached No 2 on the Billboard 200 with the smash-hit debut The Album, which was released in the same year.

In October last year, the group released their second album, Born Pink, which reached No 1 on the UK Albums Chart and Billboard 200. It marked the first time a Korean girl group had ever topped the Billboard 200, with Blackpink becoming the first female group to do so since Danity Kane in 2008.

Some of their top hits include How You Like That, As If It's Your Last and Boombayah.

Sunday

Head to artsy Alserkal for the last day of the Quoz Arts Fest, a cultural event that aims to showcase emerging talent in the UAE and the wider region.

Bu Kolthoum, a soul and funk-influenced music producer from Damascus, is hitting the stage to show his work.

The weekend festival will also feature a market-style pop-up with food trucks, as well as other activities such as exhibitions, talks and workshops.

General admission tickets cost Dh50 on dubai.platinumlist.net.

Updated: January 23, 2023, 6:14 AM