What to do in Dubai this weekend with kids

KIDZANIA CELEBRATES TURNING 11: From January 20-23 fab indoor theme park Kidzania is hosting a range of exciting celebrations and events in honour of its 11th anniversary. The FUNtastic festivities include a drum parade at 3pm and 6pm daily, along with special Arts and Crafts projects, activities at the in-house radio station and even more fun festivities at the Clock Tower. For more details, visit the venue’s official Instagram page @kidzaniaAE.

SUSTAINABLE FUN AT EXPO’S TERRA PAVILLION: Residents and visitors can enjoy an exclusive preview of what Expo 2020 has to offer at the Expo 2020 Pavilions Premiere. Offering a tour of the long-awaited mega event’s Sustainability Pavilion before Expo 2020 begins in October, guests have the opportunity to visit the Expo site in Dubai South from 22 January to 10 April. The thematic Sustainability Pavilion, also known as Terra, will feature plenty of entertaining kid-friendly fun and will be open to visitors five days a week with tickets costing Dh25. Daily places are limited, and tickets must be booked in advance by visiting www.expo2020dubai.com/pavilions-premiere.

TROLLS SINGALONG SHOW: Visitors to Mall of the Emirates can experience the Trolls Singalong Show from 21 to 30 January. Kids can meet and play with Poppy, Branch and the entire Trolls crew, including special guest Guy Diamond. The mall’s Central Galleria will be transformed into a magical village where little ones can enjoy the musical spectacular, as well as meet their favourite characters. DETAILS: Find the show near SkiDxb from January 21-30, 12pm-9pm daily.

REOPENING OF BOLLYWOOD PARKS: The much-awaited reopening of theme park Bollywood Parks in Dubai Parks & Resorts is finally happening this weekend. Featuring a range of brand-new shopping destinations and food and beverage outlets, most exciting of all is that there are 9 brand-new rides to enjoy - including the record-breaking tallest skyflyer ride in the world! But there are also plenty of attractions and spectacles to dazzle and delight the little ones too – and, for the reopening period, tickets are buy one for Dh275 and get one free, valid until 10 February.

FAMILY COMEDY AT MERCATO: Visitors to Mercato Mall in Jumeirah can catch a show by Thelmo Paroles as he performs super comedy routines, suspense acts and unicycle tricks on 21 and 23 January 12pm to 5pm. The mall will also host the Roaming White Alien act over the weekend, who will appear to greet shoppers at 12pm and 5pm while children are invited to Mary Poppins Garden at 12pm and 5pm each day over the weekend.

MEET MODESH AND DANA: Modesh and Dana will make an appearance to meet little fans and families at Dubai Festival City Mall on 21 January at 1.30pm to 4.30pm. The best friends will also visit Ibn Battuta Mall for more fun on 23 January with live appearances at 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

VR DANCE CORNER AT BURJUMAN: Every day until the end of the month Burjuman’s fashion-themed activation The Style Closet is introducing visitors to the hottest new styles of 2021, from brands including Next, H&M, LC Waikiki, Aeropostale, Forever 21, Splash, Ardene, The Children’s Place, Gaudi, Souvenir, Arrow, Color Plus and Cotton On. Throughout the event, you can also visit the virtual dressing pod and style illusion mirror to try on new outfits and test out style looks, while kids will adore the VR dance corner. DETAILS: In the Burjuman Mall main atrium until 30 January 2021, daily, between 2 pm and 10 pm. Visit www.burjuman.com or follow us @itsBurJuman on Instagram and Twitter, and @BurJuman on Facebook.com.

PLAY GIANT BOARD GAMES AT DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY: Dubai Festival City Mall is transforming its waterfront promenade into the Market on the Creek, running until 20 February. Focusing on Bazaars, F&B, entertainment from home-grown talent, products and brands, there are also life-size board games for little ones to get stuck into, including Jenga, Checkers and Tic Tac Toe. The activities are open for all age groups. Showcasing a variety of homegrown brands with a rustic yet youthful look and feel from Wednesday to Saturday, this spirited outdoor bazaar has something for everyone, from eco-friendly products to eccentric fashions. The market is held from 4pm to 10pm.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND AT AL KHAWANEEJ: The Dubai Shopping Festival Market at Al Khawaneej’s super Enchanted Garden, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, continues with another weekend filled with adventure, fun, food and more. Market opening times are Sunday to Wednesday, 6pm to 12am and Thursday to Saturday, 4pm to 2am.

WATER PLAY AT AL SEEF: The Dubai Shopping Festival Market at Al Seef Presented by Al Foah will host the Waterfront Festival until 23 January. Celebrating the beauty of the creek, the festival will feature lots of water-themed activities. Market timings are weekdays from 4pm to 10pm and weekends from 2pm to 12am.

STAR GAZING AT SALT CAMP DIFC: Cult burger brand Salt has set up its own indoor campsite at Gate Avenue DIFC, which has a special Little Campers initiative, where kids can come and enjoy the campsite atmosphere, experience the indoor star gazing activation, browse the camp shop, enjoy nightly entertainment between 7-9pm and pick what they want from the special Little Campers menu. While food and retail is chargeable, you can enjoy the activities and you’re your campsite spot for free (reservations are essential). DETAILS: Reserving your camping spot is free but must be made online in advance. See @findsalt on Instagram for more details and for the link to book.

LAST WEEK TO PET BUNNIES AND GO ON RODEO RIDES AT FREEJ VILLAGE: Head to Boxpark this weekend to enjoy a petting zoo, rodeo rides, face painting and arts and crafts at the Freej Village, an area dedicated to the much-loved characters from the popular Emirati TV series Freej. If you spend Dh50 at any Boxpark outlet, the whole family can enter the dedicated Freej Village for free. Visitors will also have the chance to meet Um Saeed, Um Saloom, Um Khammas, Um Allawi and Abood, and capture fun moments as they swap parenting notes with the famous Emirati mothers. DETAILS: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 23 January, from 4pm to 10pm, free to enter with minimum spend of Dh50 at Box Park.

SEE STUNNING DISPLAYS AT THE DSF DRONE SHOW: Be dazzled by The Beach JBR’s Drone Light Show, in which 300 drones take to the air at 7pm and at 9.30pm daily until 30 January 2021. Free to watch, the event will feature two performances, each lasting four minutes. The first, most kid-friendly performance at 7pm, titled ‘Dubai, A City of Adventure’, features kiddie characters Modesh and Dana going on a journey to explore what the city has to offer. If your little one can stay up until 9.30pm them performance two, titled ‘Dubai, From the Past to the Present’ will show the city’s journey from old Dubai to new Dubai, where it started and where it is headed into the future. Tonight visitors to the destination will also be able to enjoy spectacular views of fireworks shows on New Year’s Eve. DETAILS: Taking place daily above The Beach opposite JBR and Bluewaters, 7pm and 9.30pm, until 30 January, free to watch.