Brilliant and best things to do in Dubai this weekend with the family

The weekend is finally here! From festivals to shows and amazing meal deals, here's what's happening this weekend for families in Dubai and the UAE...

TRY THE ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST AT BOUNTY BEETS: The new Bounty Beets at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre is not only full of gorgeously fun selfie spots, but its menu is packed full of delicious yet nutritious dishes, that kids will have no idea are super healthy for them! The brand-new All You Can Eat Weekend Breakfast deal sees families noshing on unlimited breakfast dishes – think avo toast, breakfast pizza, carrot cake pancake and more – plus free-flow teas, coffees and pressed juices for Dh99 per adult, Dh49 for kids aged 6-12, and Dh29 for under 6s. Adults can also add a cheeky glass of sparkling or cocktail for the reduced price of Dh35. DETAILS: Available Friday and Saturday, 8am-noon, All you can eat breakfast at Bounty Beets Le Meridien Dubai, www.bountybeets.com.

SNAP A SELFIE WITH THE FRIENDS CAST: Amidst the premiere of ‘Friends: The Reunion’ this weekend on OSN, Dubai Festival City Mall will be projecting a previously unseen preview as part of its IMAGINE show so families can get that perfect shot with the cast behind them. As part of the unscripted special, the show’s six stars – Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer – reunite for the first time in 17 years, on the original Warner Bros soundstage. It will be aired by OSN on Thursday with IMAGINE running its special show across the weekend on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7.40pm, 8.10pm, 8.40pm and 9.10pm. DETAILS: Catch the Friends preview for free at the IMAGINE show at Dubai Festival City over the weekend Thursday-Saturday at 7.40pm, 8.10pm, 8.40pm and 9.10pm.

CHECK OUT THIS KIDS’ ILLUSTRATION EXHIBITION: The Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Exhibition is making its way to Dubai for the first time in its nine-year history, and will showcase 58 intricately detailed works of illustrators at Dubai's vibrant hub of art, culture and creativity, Alserkal Avenue from May 27th – 29th, 10am – 7pm, in Warehouse 45. For little ones who are inspired to take up the paintbrush themselves, the Emirati illustrator Eman Alraessi will be leading a workshop on the sidelines of the exhibition on Friday 28 May from 5-6.30pm, which will teach children aged 7-12 years old how to create and develop characters. DETAILS: The exhibition is open from 10am-7pm at Warehouse 45, Alserkal Avenue, from 27-29 May 2021. Find out more at www.scrf.ae.

BE A MANIAX UNTIL 9PM AT WEEKENDS: It’s getting seriously scorching outside now, but the ice-cool play parks of Air Maniax and Street Maniax in Al Quoz are now open even longer, so you can chill out with a coffee in the café while the kids burn off their energy all the way until 9pm at night. Air Maniax is perfect for younger kids, with a vast inflatable park full of obstacles, slides and bouncy fun, while parkour and freestyle trampolining park Street Maniax’s more urban edge makes it great for older kids too. DETAILS: Air Maniax and Street Maniax in Al Quoz Dubai now open until 9pm at weekends (Thursday to Saturday), see www.airmaniax.com or www.streetmaniax.com for more details.

BAG A BARGAIN IN DUBAI’S 72-HOUR SALE: Kicking off from 27 May and running until 29 May 2021, Dubai’s citywide 3 Day Super Sale (3DSS) is offering some incredible savings for families, with retailers slashing prices by up to 90% from everyday essentials, kidswear and baby gear, to home items and big-name branded products. Head to your nearest mall for absolutely awesome discounts on everything from toys to school shoes. For details on the brands and malls participating, check out this: https://tinyurl.com/32vvj48.

MEET KEY FIGURES FROM HISTORY AT SHARJAH CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL: Travel back in time and meet key figures – real and fictional – who have revolutionised human history, at the ‘Big Names in History’ roaming show parading the halls of the 12th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival taking place in Expo Centre Sharjah until May 29. Wearing costumes designed to look like original street statues of famous figures that have been exposed to the natural elements, the roaming show is just one of the 537 workshops, theatrical shows and other kid-friendly literary events, all hinged around the theme ‘For Your Imagination’. DETAILS: Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, weekdays and Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, free to attend, register at scrf.ae.

DIVE INTO A DOWNTOWN POOL DEAL: Chill out with one of the pool day offers at Address Downtown, Address Sky View or Address Fountain Views. For Dh300 per person over the weekend, enjoy access inclusive of food and beverages at The Pool Lounge (Dh300 weekend pool access with Dh200 redeemable on F&B). DETAILS: Offer valid until 30 September, for bookings and more details contact +971 4 436 8888.

INDULGE IN FREE PASTA AND TIRAMISU AT DUBAI’S OLDEST ITALIAN: Dubai’s oldest Italian restaurant, Casa Mia, is offering diners complimentary dishes from Wednesday 26th May for a limited period of one month, to celebrate the heritage venue’s recent revamp and cosy new, authentic trattoria look. The complimentary dishes on offer are traditional spaghetti with olive oil, garlic and chilli and Casa Mia’s famous Tiramisu. DETAILS: Make a reservation at Casa Mia and get a complimentary selected main course and dessert per table, available during lunch and dinner service. Bring in more than 3 people and you can get two main courses and dessert for free. Valid until 26 June 2021, Casa Mia, Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, call +971 4 702 2455 or email restaurants.lmd@lemeridien.com.

BOOK AN AMAZING ALL-INCLUSIVE STAYCAY IN RAK: Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort has an amazing summer offer that’s inclusive of all beverages, a King room within the main hotel complex and breakfast for two adults. Best of all - kids under 12 stay and have breakfast for free! For a two-night stay, the offer is priced at Dh1,650 or upgrade to a third night for an extended break for Dh1,995. DETAILS: To get the offer mention “RAK IT UP” to the reservations team when making the booking. For more information or to make a reservation, call 07 228 8844 or visit: https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/uae/hilton-ras-al-khaimah-resort-and-spa.

BREAKFAST AND SWIM IN THE BONNINGTON JLT: Bonnington Hotel JLT has recently launched a Breakfast and Swim offer taking place weekly on Fridays and Saturdays. For Dh180 per person, dig into an All-you-can-eat Full Irish Breakfast Buffet at Cavendish restaurant, and then enjoy free access to the pool and Leisure Deck for the rest of the morning – all with a complimentary fruit platter to enjoy as you chill poolside. Kids can also join the fun with a discounted price of Dh75 for kids between 6 and 12 years while those below 6 years old can enjoy the offer free of charge. Those looking to enjoy some savings can bring friends or family along to enjoy a buy one get one free offer via the Entertainer app. DETAILS: For more information or to make a booking call +971 4 356 0000 or visit www.bonningtontower.com.

SWING INTO AVENTURA’S SUMMER DEAL: Bored of spending your summers at the mall? Aventura Parks, Dubai’s largest zip line park, is offering a special deal for summer. With over 24 ziplines, 8 circuits, 80 obstacles – including child-friendly courses - the park is a great place to spend summer weekend nights with friends and family. The summer offer is Dh99 for a basic ticket for three hours of unlimited ziplining, rope courses, challenges and more. DETAILS: Redeem the offer by booking online, through www.aventuraparks.com, or call +971 52 178 7616 to reserve your tickets. The offer is available from May 16 – September 30, 2021.

CELEBRATE WORLD BURGER DAY: This Friday 28 May is Burger Day, and since burgers tend to be a favourite of little ones everywhere anyway, it’s the perfect excuse for the whole family to tuck into a succulent meat pattie together. There are all sorts to choose from - family-friendly gastropub and garden at Dubai Hills Golf Club The Duck Hook is offering its The Mighty Duck Burger, a whopping 250g homemade stockyard beef burger with mature cheddar, fried onion frizzles and fries, for Dh95. Meanwhile the all-day eatery Hillhouse Brasserie next door has the Hillhouse Gourmet Burger, featuring stockyard beef, veal bacon, caramelized red onion, blistered raclette cheese, baby Rocca and beef tomatoes, served with delicious truffle parmesan fries on the side for Dh145. Or save money at Denny’s, where until 28 May you can enjoy any burger, fries and soft drink combo for just Dh49 when you dine in at any Denny’s UAE location (Al Ghurair Center, Deira City Center, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Festival Plaza, Abu Dhabi Mall) or order online on the Denny’s app at https://bit.ly/2PCre3i.

SING ALONG AT NURSERY RHYME TIME: This fun, singalong family show kicks off this Thursday and is perfect for kids aged from 6 months to 4 years old, and will have little ones delighting in all the classic nursery rhymes, from Incy Wincy to Humpty Dumpty. Put on by Art For All, you can expect a first-rate performance by professional actors from London’s West End, and a buoyant, interactive concert atmosphere, all in the surrounds of The Theatre at Mall of the Emirates. DETAILS: 27-29 May 2021, Nursery Rhyme Time at The Theatre at Mall of the Emirates, tickets from Dh75.

GO BACK TO BUBBALICIOUS: The Bubbalicious Brunch is one of the city’s longest standing and most family friendly Dubai brunches. It is now back with a bang and ready to wow the crowds with amazing food on offer, live cooking stations, an always fun and upbeat vibe, plenty of indoor seating and a sprawling outdoor terrace. DETAILS: Bubbalicious brunch, Mina’s Kitchen, The Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Fridays 1-4pm, Dh300 soft package, Dh450 house package, Dh650 bubbly package, Dh150 kids 6-12 years, free for kids under 6. Call 04 511 7373.

WIN A CAKE: Bakery and cake shop Mister Baker is commemorating the opening of its 20th new cake shop, located in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), with a sweet giveaway of a whopping 1,000 free cakes! To be one of the lucky ones to grab this delectable visit www.misterbaker.com/silicon-oasis and spin the wheel of fortune. If you are one of the 1000 winners, you receive a code via email to schedule the pickup of your free cake from the DSO store – which also has an in-house café, so you can stop for a cuppa while you’re there.