12 amazing things you can do in the UAE this weekend

ENTERTAINMENT: MIDDLE EAST FILM AND COMIC CON: The annual festival is back this weekend, welcoming iconic movie stars for its 2020 edition, including ‘Aladdin’ Mena Massoud, ‘Man of Steel’ Brandon Routh and John Rhys Davies. Where: World Trade Centre Cost: Dh115 for a single day access, Dh280 for three day access When: March 5 to 7

EAT: FREE ENTRY AT DUBAI FOOD FESTIVAL ETISALAT BEACH CANTEEN: The festival’s flagship event, Etisalat Beach Canteen is back at Jumeirah Beach behind Sunset Mall, and showcase some of Dubai’s best food concepts. The pop-up event will also feature entertainment and a dedicated family area. The free-to-attend space will be perfect for a family day out – little ones will be sure to love the wide range of fun activities in a dedicated kid’s zone, while foodies can take part in cooking workshops and attend live cooking sessions at the beachside theatre. There will also be a gaming square and sports court to add to the fun. Where: Sunset beach Cost: Free When: Runs until March 14

FREE DEAL: COFFEE ON THE HOUSE AT EETEN: Guests can enjoy a free cup of EETEN’s signature coffee with every breakfast. Whether you’re a morning bird, or a late-riser, EETEN’s breakfast menu is sure to lure even the sleepiest of night owls from their slumber. Whether a light spinach and egg white omelette with sumac or addictive buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup, no EETEN breakfast is complete without a cup of delicious home-brewed, house-blend coffee – so they can forget the daily grind, and listen to the grind of coffee beans instead. Where: Dubai’s Marina Mall Cost: Approx. Dh90 for two people When: Open daily from 8am to 11pm

PARTY: FREE 90S MUSIC EVENT AT BARASTI: It’s throw it back Thursday with Barasti’s Noughty Thursdays, a nostalgic trip back to a time where Gameboys, Furbies and Take That reigned supreme. Taking place this Thursday, Barasti will be hosting the ultimate noughty DJ, the legendary Trevor Nelson. Get involved in some noughty activations that will take you back to the games you loved, human Fusball, giant twister, human bowling, hops pong and giant operation. Throughout the night the bar will have flash sales on beverage, exciting deals and much more. Where: Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina Cost: Free When: Thursday, March 5, from 10am to 3am

ONE FOR THE KIDS: STUDIYO LAB LAUNCHES IN DUBAI: It’s no secret that kids have swapped playing out in the streets, for sitting on their phones. StuDIYo Lab is the first centre teaching kida design and tech in the UAE. Working with resistant materials such as wood, metal and plastic, they provide fun and interactive ways for children to become more creative and encourage them to step out of the house and away from their screens. From ages 5 and above, StuDIYo Lab offers a range of workshops and classes are taught by professionals Where: Times Square Centre, first floor Cost: Dh120 per hour When: Open daily from 9am to 6pm

EAT: A LEVITATING PLATES DINING EXPERIENCE: Marking its first anniversary celebration, Doors Freestyle Grill is set to bring another ‘first’ to Dubai’s culinary landscape with the introduction of ‘levitating plates’ to your table. Since opening in 2018 at the Al Seef waterfront promenade, the steakhouse and seafood restaurant has been bringing culinary theatrics to the city in addition to a new menu crafted by Chef Kemal Çéylan. Most of the items on the new menu will be prepared in front of the guests, providing plenty of ‘Instagrammable’ moments. Where: Al Seef Cost: Approx. Dh600 for two people When: Open Daily from 1pm to 1am.

PARTY: AFTER-BRUNCH PARTY AT KNOX: Get ready for a fun after-brunch experience on the Palm this weekend. Every Friday post brunch. At the underground bar and playroom, you can enjoy five house beverage tokens for Dh150, and the KnoX resident DJ pumping out the tunes. Where: Andaz Dubai the Palm Cost: Dh150 for 5 house beverage tokens When: Fridays, 5pm to 8pm

EAT: NEW RESTAURANT LAUNCH: Pulled, a home grown, UAE-based, street-style eatery set to officially open its doors on Saturday March 7, and serve up a whole lotta soul food. Located on Jumeirah Beach Road in the heart of Umm Suqeim, Pulled serves up soul food based on original recipes, plucked from the imagination of founder Shamsa Al Habtoor. From sandwiches and blazing fries to flavourful lemonades and desserts, Pulled offers a menu filled with the ultimate comfort food. Where: Jumeirah Beach Road, Near Al Manara, Um Suqqeim 2 Cost: Approx. Dh95 for two Timings: TBC

ENTERTAINMENT: LEA SALONGA AT THE DUBAI OPERA: The award-winning singer is set to return to the Dubai Opera stage this weekend, after her debut concert in 2017. Where: Dubai Opera Cost: Starting from Dh350 When: Thursday and Friday from 8pm

FOODIE EXPERIENCE: BECOME A MASTERCHEF: Participating at the Dubai Food Festival 2020, MasterChef, the TV Experience restaurant, the world’s first dining concept based on the hit TV series, is set to offer residents a chance to learn and recreate several dishes from some of the former MasterChef champions around the world. Fans of the show now have a chance to learn some of Head Chef, Margarita Vaamonde-Beggs’ culinary secrets, at an intimate one-off masterclass, taking place on Saturday, March 7 from 5pm onwards at the Millennium Place Marina. Participants will not only learn how to cook Beef Tenderloin and Beurre Noisette Puree alongside Peach Tart with Beurre Noisette Foam, the masterclass will be followed by a specially curated three-course menu including the Asparagus and beurre noisette salad followed by both dishes that will be made in the masterclass. The entire experience is priced at Dh489 including soft beverages and with a maximum of 10 places, fans are encouraged to book their spot in advance on platinum list.

EAT: CELEBRATE WORLD LAKSA DAY: World Laksa Day is just around the corner, and Dubai’s The Noodle House is celebrating its love of the fragrant spicy soup with a limited-edition menu of dishes kicking off on Saturday March 6 and running until the rest of the month. The Noodle House chefs will be dishing up meals inspired by Singaporean, Indonesian and Malaysian cultures – with specially curated dishes including a fruity laksa mocktail, sugarcane skewers with grilled chicken, a bottomless curry laksa (AED69), and coconut sorbet for dessert. These dishes are available. Where: Across all The Noodle House locations Cost: From Dh12 When: Available daily starting Saturday March 6 until March 31