12 exciting things to do this weekend in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

This weekend you can eat, celebrate and relax. We give you a list of top things to do in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

CELEBRATE DIWALI WITH A FIREWORK SHOW: The Pointe on the Palm Jumeirah will join in this year’s festivities with a Diwali themed performance by the world’s largest dancing fountain, The Palm Fountain, and an amazing firework show on Friday, November 13. Starting at 9pm, visitors to the family-friendly and retail destination can enjoy fireworks and a newly launched fountain show. The fountain on that day will showcase a choreographed dance to classic and contemporary Bollywood tunes and Hindi pop songs.

SPECIAL DIWALI RATE FOR INDIANS AT FERRARI WORLD: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has a special Diwali offer. Entry to the park normally costs Dhs295 per person but Indian Nationals can purchase a ticket for just Dh95 for a visit between November 12 to 14. Tickets must be pre-booked online and ticketholders will need to present their national ID at the Ferrari World ticketing counter on arrival. Additionally, you can also embrace Yas Island’s other attractions, like the new zip-line and roof walk, or enjoy a three-course meal or the Rangoli/Deepavali arrangements at Yas Mall.

CELEBRATE WORLD HAPPY HOUR DAY AT MCGETTIGANS: National Happy Hour Day, which takes place on November 12 is a great excuse to TGIT. McGettigans is offering an all-day happy hour at McGettigan's Trade Centre to beverages starting from Dh25 at Madinat and JLT.

KICK OFF THURSDAY WITH A NEW NIGHT BRUNCH: Italian restaurant tucked in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dubai Media City has launched a “La Dolce Vita evening brunch”. Enjoy an evening with live music with a selection of the best of Rat Pack, Jazz and swing, free-flowing beverages and a wide array of Italian dishes served to your table including antipasti, pizza, live pasta station, main courses and a dessert platter to share. Taking place from 7.30pm to 10.30pm every Thursday, packages start from Dh199for soft drinks, Dh299 for house beverages and Dh349 for Italian bubbly and Italian.

START YOUR THURSDAY WITH DOGGY BARRE: Feel ruff and ready for the weekend as Bare takes you and your dog through a pre-weekend calorie killer session with a high-intensity workout paired with weight training and conditioning. For Dh120 on Thursday at 5.30pm, head down for a different kind of workout, where you can bring your pooch to Bare DXB to see the fitness-hub transform into a different kind of training ground.

FRIDAY MORNING BREAKFAST DEAL AT BOARDWALK: Located right on the banks of Dubai Creek, the Boardwalk have launched a brand new breakfast set menu featuring avocado hummus with pomegranate, simit style cheese croissant, shakshuka style poached eggs, zucchini, bell peppers, plum tomatoes, celery and pineapple tarte tatin crème Chantilly, vanilla, black pepper, rosemary to finish. The morning affair takes place from 11.30am to 1pm for Dh98 per person and an extra Dh98 for free-flowing mimosas.

TRY A NEW VALUE POOL DAY: Le Meridien Dubai has introduced a fab pool day pass that is excellent value for money, with the cost fully redeemable on F&B at the pool bar. That’s lunch and luxuriating sorted, especially for the Downtown crowd who don’t want to travel far from home. From Sunday to Thursday, the pool day will set you back Dh120 per person, which is fully redeemable against F&B at the pool bar. On Friday to Saturday, the price is Dh150 per person, also fully redeemable.

VISIT ONE OF DUBAI’S BEST BRUNCHES: THE Multi-award-winning Traiteur Brunch is a celebration of great food, beautiful views and a beautiful ambience. The Traiteur Brunch, which takes place every Friday from 1pm to 4.30pm, celebrates the finest of French and Mediterranean cuisine. Enjoy premium sliced meat, charcuterie and terrines as well as an extensive selection of cheeses. Fresh fruits de mer can also be savoured, courtesy of unlimited lobster, shrimp, salmon and caviar from the seafood buffet. Brunch starts from Dh495 per person for soft beverages.

CHECK OUT THIS 80’s BRUNCH AT LAH LAH: Enjoy an alfresco 80s themed brunch this weekend at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens, the city’s funkiest neighbourhood hangout, at the chic and urban pop-up Asian street food eatery and alfresco terrace – LAH LAH BAZAAR. The 80s themed brunch is available on November 13 and 14, from 1 to 4pm. The menu features some of LAH LAH’s signature dishes, paired with free-flowing house beverages for only Dh269 per person.

TRY THE BRAND NEW BULGOGI BURGER: Dubai’s home-grown burger joint, Ugly Burger launches the BULGOGI BURGER, a traditional Korean dish, incorporated into a soft bun putting a twist on Korea’s most loved dish. Bulgogi meaning “fire meat” is an authentic meat dish, found on the table of every Korean household. The Bulgogi Burger (Dh38) will be filled with griddled marinated sliced beef, mixed grilled mushrooms and onions, toasted sesame seeds, topped with a cracked black pepper bulgogi mayo on a bed of lettuce. Keep it Korean by adding a side of Kimchi Fries! Perfectly thin French fries with tangy kimchi and melted cheese.

HAVE A FLASHBACK FRIDAY PARTY AT LUCKY VOICE: Lucky Voice is launching a video DJ experience. Basically, DJ Gaby Ghazal will be mixing music and music videos live on stage every Friday launching this week. It will be a real retro mix from the 70s, 80s and 90s. DJ Gaby is famous for the talent of not only mixing music but also videos.

EAT THE PICKL’S WE COULTN’T THINK OF A NAME BURGER: Pickl has come up with a burger so good that they couldn’t think of a name and it’s called ‘We Couldn’t Think of a Name.’ The November special is as catchy as its name showcasing fried chicken, buffalo dipper, topped with Pickl’s blue cheese chive ranch, berg lettuce and a serving of Gruyere all sandwiched into a potato bun. Pickl’s We Couldn’t Think of A Name is priced at Dh40 and is available until November 30.