26 things to do in the UAE this weekend

Marina Weekender

British treats, international acts and entertainment to shake things up in Yas Marina. The Scene, Mr Miyagi’s and Casa De Cuba are joining forces to throw a two-weekend festival that will have visits from celebrity chef Simon Rimmer, along with international acts Judge Jules and Hed Kandi. Today, kick off with Asian party boy Mr Miyagi buy-one-get-one-free deals on buckets from 5-8pm, before Dubai’s boyband N-Shrync will host a wok & roll brunch from 8-11.30pm with unlimited beverages alongside a five-course meal for Dh290.

Yas Mall hosts the AFC Asian Cup Trophy

Football fans in Abu Dhabi are invited to see the AFC Asian Cup trophy, which will be on display in a dedicated corner at Yas Mall, until the final match tomorrow.

Al Ain 

Acoustic Night

Join in for a night of music with Joan McEldowney, Martyn Crocker, Midian Almeida (pictured), Manfred Malzahn and Ollie Chapman, as part of the Al Ain Music Festival 2019, at La Dolce Vita, Al Ain, from 6-9pm. Free entry. Call 03-7331121. alainmusicfest.com

Dubai

A Swiss cultural event

Swiss Days Dubai 2019 will feature a talented line-up that includes The Blackouts, a LED Light Show and Charles Nguela stand-up comedy (pictured), at Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, tonight. Tomorrow its Hard Rock Classic on Fire with The Mozart Heroes. Shows at 8.30pm, tickets priced from Dh80. madinattheatre.com.

DSF Fireworks

Residents and visitors can enjoy the last weekend of the fireworks displays taking place from 8pm at The Beach, 8.30pm at Al Seef and 9pm at La Mer, until Saturday.

Treat for bargain-hunters

As the Dubai Shopping Festival draws to a close, shoppers can enjoy further reductions across home, lifestyle, beauty and fashion brands at more than 3,000 retailers in Dubai’s malls. From today until Saturday.

Bust out the glitter

Sparkle in rhythm at the glitter dance party, at IMG Worlds of Adventure. The indoor theme park will be transformed into a musical twinkly venue, with an assembled sparkling environment complete with mirror balls and white fairy lights. DJ Saif and DJ Abhijeet will set the mood playing top commercial music, alongside live performances, contortionists, a saxophonist and percussionist. From 7pm to midnight, tickets priced at Dh98; those buying full price ticket on the day can join the party for free. IMGworlds.com

Cali Swag District’s Yung to perform

Learn how to ‘Dougie’ (a hip-hop dance performed by moving one’s body in a shimmy style and passing a hand through or near the hair on one’s own head) from the founding member of Cali Swag District who is set to perform at Atelier M, Pier 7 tonight. The American hip hop group from Inglewood, California, is best known for the debut single Teach Me How to Dougie. Supported by DJ Skinnyloop for a night of RnB and old school classics. Call 04-4507766. atelierm.ae

Pankaj Udhas in Concert

The Indian Padma Shri awardee, and ghazal singer, performs at Dubai Ballroom, JW Marriott Marquis, 8pm. Tickets from Dh200, available online.

International Croissant Day

Organic restaurant Baker & Spice is stepping up to celebrate the day with mini hand-rolled croissants that guests can fill with two scoops of ice cream and garnish with toppings and sauce, from 12pm onwards (until sold out). Dh25 per croissant plus two ice creams, one topping and one sauce; Dh20 per croissant if you buy two, today and tomorrow at Souk Al Bahar outlet and only tomorrow at Dubai Marina outlet. Available for dine in and take away.

Sports and Stilettoes

If spending Thursday evening with your favourite girls and 50 per cent off house beverages sounds like a good time, head to Nezesaussi Grill in Downtown Dubai, from 6pm to 2am, every Thursday. Call 04-8883444.

Street-side festival

A three-day fest, sampling an extensive array of beverages from around the world, at QD’s, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. Enter free, from 3pm today. Non-stop entertainment with a dedicated game zone, food and beverages, and prizes to win upon registration. Ladies can take advantage from 6-10pm with three free beverages, while a happy hour on all three days from 3-8pm. Until Saturday. Call 04-2956000.

Musical Experience

The Terra Amac Group that fuses jazz with contemporary dance, salsa, street moves and tango, will bring their charm and style to City Centre Mirdif this DSF. Shows at 4.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 9pm, until February 2.

FRIDAY

Abu Dhabi

Bayreuth Festival –The Valkyrie

Award-winning conductor Markus Poschner will lead the performance of Richard Wagner’s, The Valkyrie. The German born Poschner well-known for his interpretations of Beethoven, Brahms and Mahler and will join the Bayreuth Festival cast, as it descends in Abu Dhabi for a full opera at Emirates Palace. Doors open at 6pm, show at 7pm. Tickets from Dh395. abudhabimusic.ae

Yas Marina Weekend

The Scene is hosting We love Friday’s featuring British home cooked classics with two courses for Dh99 or three courses for Dh149, before the party kicks off at Casa De Cuba for Tropicana Sessions, where Judge Jules will be on the decks.

Dubai

Elissa Live

Celebrate the final weekend of DSF with a concert by the Lebanese artist at Global Village. Starting 9pm on the main stage, visitors can watch her perform a variety of her widely popular songs, including Ajmal Ihsas and Bastanak. Entry to the park costs Dh15. globalvillage.ae

Dragon Boat races

Get ready to be transported to the streets of China as The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, is celebrating Chinese New Year with dragon boat races, traditional music and dance, and entertainment, today and tomorrow, from 4-10pm. In addition, a grand fireworks display at Atlantis, The Palm has been lined up on February 4 at 8pm. Call 04-3909999. thepointe.ae

Celebrate Chinese New Year: Join the roving dancing dragons at Dubai Parks and Resorts with

Chinese-inspired delicacies, authentic market, dragon dances, traditional shows and colourful decorations marking the start of the celebrations. The free-to-enter Riverland Dubai will be decked up with Chinese traditional lanterns until February 9, with fireworks on February 4 at 8pm; at Motiongate Dubai enjoy traditional activities with film characters Master Po, flash mobs, dragon dances and Chinese delicacies every day from 2-7pm, until February 13; and Legoland Dubai will celebrate from February 5 to 16, where kids can enjoy a mosaic-building experience, pin their wishes on a traditional wishing wall and walk by Factory Street decorated with Chinese lanterns. The park is also launching its Gold Badge programme which incentivises guests to find the limited gold pop badges worn by Legoland Dubai staff in the park.which can offer a free day ticket. dubaiparksandresorts.com

Hard Rock Classic on Fire

Swiss Days Dubai 2019 featuring Swiss talents The Mozart Heroes, at Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Show at 8.30pm, tickets priced from Dh80.

madinattheatre.com

90’s celebrity night

Say goodbye to January by heading over to The Hideout, for a club-night with DJ John Kelly spinning his maverick blend of underground trance beats. Doors open at 11pm, bar opens at 5pm. At Byblos Dubai Marina. Free entry. thehideoutdubai.com

XYoga Dubai Festival

A two-day programme of 63 free yoga classes, workshops and talks. Yoga experts including Laura Sykora, yoga warrior Janet Stone, Garth Hewitt from Shiva Yoga, best-selling author and mind and body wellness expert Davidji and Indian trainer-to-the-stars Deepika Mehta, will host classes. Local popular yoga houses will also be leading a variety of holistic and signature sessions at the festival. Register on the website to attend classes. xyogadubai.com

Chinese New Year Celebrations at The Dubai Mall

Discover Chinese traditions through art, music and dance, along with arts & crafts workshops, traditional Chinese games and live performances.Daily programme includes finger palm painting and calligraphy, egg carving, umbrella art painting, knot tying, Chinese lucky bag making and wood carving pen workshops. Visitors can also take home customised keepsakes by spending a minimum purchase of Dh150 at any store in the mall. From 10am to 11pm. Also, live performances at Dubai Aquarium from February 4-6, where divers will be performing an underwater dragon dance daily at 12pm,3pm and 6pm and dragon dance on ice, at 5pm daily.

Urban Picnic Brunch

Gather your brunch squad and chill out by the pool, stock your picnic basket with gourmet dishes including barbecue meats and a selection of beverages while enjoying the resident DJ’s tunes. At 3in1 Restaurant at Vida Downtown, every Friday from 1-5pm. Packages from Dh295. Call 04-8883444

Rove Around Tour with Nikon

Emirati photographer Dr Ahmed Al Rais along with Nikon is hosting a free tour in Dubai’s historical district. Open to the public, from 2-6pm, at Rove Healthcare City. register to attend. rovehotels.com

Indian Biryani Festival

A unique take on biryanis with a month long festival to celebrate the rice dish. Every Wednesday to Saturday the DJ will add an element of nostalgia. At Indus Restaurant at Convention Tower, Dubai World Trade Centre, fromtoday until March 1. Call 04-886 8713.

The Six Nations Face Off

Catch all the rugby action live at McGettigan’s Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, shown live on the multiple screens alongside Irish grubs with an array of hops and freshly prepared beverages. Daily happy hour from 4-8pm.