Taste of Dubai, Mariah Carey concert: Things to do in the UAE this weekend you’ll actually love

If your group chat is already asking “so… what are we doing this weekend?”, consider this your answer. The UAE’s weekend line-up is firing on all cylinders, with everything from chart-topping superstars and throwback festivals to brand-new nightlife concepts, family-friendly discoveries and a half marathon that doubles as a sightseeing tour. Whether you’re in the mood for a late-night jazz lounge with skyline views, a beachside nostalgia fest, a food festival that rewards stretchy trousers or a culture-filled day out with the kids, there’s something here worth pencilling in. From DIFC rooftops to desert glamping, Media City feasts to Saadiyat serenades, these are the plans that feel exciting before you’ve even left the house. Scroll on, take notes and start booking — these are the best things to do in the UAE this weekend and beyond. .Jump into an amazing February with Air Maniax and Street Maniax!.Every day is jam-packed full of fun, with arts, crafts, exciting games and science experiments at the Holiday Camp at Air Maniax and Street Maniax. With eight venues to choose from across the UAE, you are sure to find one close to you. Camp is held from 8.30am to 2pm daily, from the 9th to the 13th February. Prices start at Dh150.Enjoy unlimited access throughout Ramadan with the Ramadan pass, giving you two hours access per day for the unbeatable price of just Dh299. The pass covers the period 16th February - 13th March and is great value for money!For more details see www.airmaniax.com and www.streetmaniax.com.A Night in Havana at 1920 Dubai.Sundays are no longer for scrolling and sighing. 1920 Dubai is rewriting the end-of-week rulebook with Latin Jazz Sundays, launching with a Havana-inspired opening night that’s all smooth rhythms and speakeasy glamour. Perched high above DIFC on the 52nd floor, this Art Deco beauty is trading pounding club beats for soulful jazz, great beverages and conversations that don’t need shouting over. Think Cuban flair, skyline views and a reason to stay out past your bedtime — because Mondays can wait.Price: Free entryWhen: Sun Feb 8, from 9.30pmWhere: 1920, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC.Bee Festival at Terra, Expo City Dubai.Small creatures, big weekend energy. Terra’s Bee Festival is back, and it’s buzzing with hands-on activities that make learning genuinely fun. Expect live honey extractions, guided hive tours and beeswax candle-making, plus plenty of chances for kids to dress up, explore and ask a lot of “why” questions. Grown-ups aren’t left out either, with honey-inspired treats, chilled DJ sets and a deeper look at how pollinators keep our ecosystems ticking. Sweet, smart and surprisingly fascinating.Price: Dh50 (adults & children 4+), under 4s freeWhen: Feb 7–8, 10am–6pmWhere: Terra, Expo City Dubai.Biswa Kalyan Rath Live in Dubai. If clever comedy is your thing, Biswa Kalyan Rath is your guy. The Indian stand-up star returns to Dubai with his signature mix of dry delivery, sharp observations and jokes that sneak up on you before hitting hard. Best known for Pretentious Movie Reviews and sold-out tours, Rath’s humour lives in the everyday — awkward moments, overthinking and life’s many small absurdities. Expect big laughs, smart punchlines and two packed shows for maximum comic relief.Price: From Dh280When: Feb 7, 6pm & 9pmWhere: Dubai College Auditorium.Burj2Burj Half Marathon.Running 21.1km sounds intense — running it past Dubai’s greatest hits sounds better. Burj2Burj is back, taking runners from the Burj Khalifa to the Burj Al Arab via a route packed with skyline views, live music and cheering crowds. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just trying to finish upright, the energy carries you through. Cross the line, grab a medal and soak up the post-run buzz at the finisher’s park. You’ve earned it.Price: From Dh240When: Sat Feb 8, 6amWhere: Jumeirah Road, Umm Suqeim 3.Chinese New Year Celebrations at Dragon Mart. Dragon Mart does festive flair well, and Chinese New Year is no exception. Expect red-and-gold décor, hands-on workshops and traditional performances dotted throughout the mall. Write a wish and tie it to the Wishing Tree, try calligraphy or lantern-making, then time your visit for lion and fan dances that bring the place to life. Even if you came “just to browse”, you’ll likely stay longer than planned — it’s that kind of vibe.Price: FreeWhen: Feb 6–17, various timingsWhere: Dragon Mart, Dubai.Honeycomb Hi-Fi DJ Night with Bas Ibellini. This one’s for people who actually listen to the music. Honeycomb Hi-Fi welcomes London-born DJ and curator Bas Ibellini for a night of rich, genre-blurring sound, supported by Diamond Setter. Expect carefully built sets, immaculate sound quality and a crowd that’s here for the journey, not the drop. It’s thoughtful, immersive and refreshingly grown-up — nightlife with depth, not just volume.Price: Dh120 (includes one beverage)When: Feb 7, from 9pmWhere: Honeycomb Hi-Fi, Dubai.Mariah Carey at Saadiyat Nights.All we want for this weekend is… this concert. Mariah Carey takes over Saadiyat Nights for an open-air performance that promises goosebumps, whistle notes and a hit list that spans decades. From power ballads to pop anthems, this is a rare chance to see one of music’s most iconic voices doing what she does best, under the stars. Dress up, sing along and prepare to feel feelings.Price: From Dh444When: Fri, 7.30pmWhere: Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.REW!ND Fest DXB. Dust off your air guitar — REW!ND Fest DXB is back. After a sell-out debut, the nostalgia-packed festival returns to Bla Bla Dubai with a lineup stacked with throwback legends including Soul II Soul, Jason Donovan and Cutting Crew. Expect a day-to-night beachside party filled with singalongs, feel-good vibes and songs you definitely know all the words to. It’s unapologetically retro, and that’s exactly the point.Price: From Dh395When: Feb 7, from noon onwardsWhere: Bla Bla Dubai, The Beach JBR.Sandbox SELECTS Dubai. Sandbox Festival brings its underground credentials to Dubai with Sandbox SELECTS, a one-day, open-air showcase of house and techno. Taking over Helipad by Frozen Cherry, the boutique event features international and regional artists who helped shape the festival’s cult following. Expect a dialled-in crowd, great sound and an atmosphere that feels intimate yet electric. For fans of the scene, this one’s unmissable.Price: From Dh219When: Feb 7, 6pm onwardsWhere: Helipad Dubai.Taste of Dubai. Come hungry — very hungry. Taste of Dubai returns with three days of grazing, cooking demos and live entertainment, bringing together some of the city’s best restaurants in one outdoor setting. Sample taster plates, watch celebrity chefs work their magic and sign up for free workshops, all while soaking up live music and festival vibes. Stretchy trousers are encouraged.Price: From Dh80When: Feb 6–8, from noonWhere: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.T-Rex Glamping Lunar New Year staycation. If your kids love dinosaurs, T-Rex Glamping is the staycation answer. Expect fossil digs, dinosaur-themed pools, outdoor movie nights and themed dining, plus access to Dubai Parks and Resorts. It’s playful, immersive and packed with activities from morning until bedtime — no screen time negotiations required.Price: From Dh780++ per nightWhen: DailyWhere: Dubai Parks and ResortsWicked The Musical. Green skin, big feelings and show-stopping songs — Wicked lands at Dubai Opera with a production that’s as powerful as it is spectacular. Follow the unlikely friendship between Glinda and Elphaba in this untold Oz story, brought to life with jaw-dropping sets, a live orchestra and more than a few chills-inducing moments. If you’ve never seen it live, now’s your chance.Read our review here.Price: From Dh350When: Until Feb 15, various timingsWhere: Dubai Opera.Yas Speed Festival. Yas Marina Circuit launches a brand-new motorsport festival, and it’s not just for racing die-hards. Headlined by the Asian Le Mans Series, Yas Speed Festival combines elite track action with car culture, family zones, food trucks and a massive automotive gathering. Fast cars, big energy and plenty to do off the circuit — consider this a weekend with horsepower.Price: From Dh95When: Feb 7–8Where: Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi.Zing Beach is now dog-friendly. Finally, a beach plan your dog won’t be jealous of. Zing Beach is now officially dog-friendly, welcoming pups to its outdoor deck for seaside lunches and sunset drinks. Expect relaxed vibes, Palm views and a menu that works just as well for long lunches as casual sundowners. Leashes required, treats recommended.Price: À la carteWhen: DailyWhere: Zing Beach, Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah