Here are our top picks for the weekend and a fun competition for our readers. With our guide, there is no excuse for anyone to stay home this long weekend.
1. Win a brunch for two!
The Ocean Brunch at Sofitel, The Palm Dubai gives you the best of what the hotel has to offer. With both hot and cold starters and a spread of exquisite seafood, Mauna Seafood Restaurant serves its best. Complimentary access to the pool and the five-star private beach before and after make this a brunch you must go to.
We are running a social media contest on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. To win a brunch for two, all you need to do is tag the person you want to take with you.
Location Sofitel The Palm, Dubai Cost (inclusive of pool and beach access) Dh325 per person (soft beverages) Dh495 per person (house beverages) Dates Fridays Timing 12.30pm to 3.30pm Contact +971 4 455 5656 Email dining.palmdubai@sofitel.com
2. Pink specials at St. Regis Dubai
October brings with it the Pink movement, raising awareness for breast cancer and companies have lined up exciting offers to participate in the movement. Iridium Spa at St. Regis is ahead of the race with two offers – a Pink Crystal facial treatment at 50 per cent off and a complimentary Pink File and Polish with any 60-minute treatment booked at the spa.
Location Iridium Spa, St. Regis Dubai Cost Pink Crystal facial Dh450 (Actual price Dh900) Dates October 1 to 30 Contact +971 4 435 5500
3. Oktoberfest 2016
It’s Oktoberfest season again and we have one amazing celebration for you to be at this weekend. Head towards Dubai Sports City for a unique Bavarian celebration with traditional food as well as beverages. You can also enjoy live music from the original Bavarian band ‘Die Derbys’ and party late into the night as the house DJ spins his tunes.
Location The Dome, Dubai Sports City Cost Standard tickets Dh35 per person; Free tickets Wear Lederhosen or Dirndl (Happy hour from 7pm to 8pm); Reserve VIP tables Dh400 (Up to 8 people) Dates September 29 and 30 Get tickets Email events@dsc.ae
4. Hip-Hop On Air at the VIP Room
Launching on September 29, this weekly hip-hop night will showcase Dj Spade, MOS, Equal and Mel Debarge on upcoming Thursdays as well. For the launch night on Thursday, the posh club will give you a pumping start to the weekend with New York hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes along with Mel Debarge.
Location VIP Room, JW Marriot Marquis, Dubai Date September 29 (Every Thursday) Timings Doors open at 11pm Contact +971 52 881 8888 Email bookings@viproom-dubai.com
5. International Coffee Day
Celebrating International Coffee Day on October 1 a few outlets in Dubai are offering special offers. Step into Eataly to get a complimentary coffee with every meal purchased and discounts on illy coffee beans from the Eataly market. Another fun way to enjoy your favourite drink is by trying the new limited edition flavours at Columbus Cafe – Toffee Nut latte and frappe.
Location Eataly (Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City) Columbus Cafe (Mall of the Emirates) Cost Varies
6. Orange Wheels for kids
Training your child in a fine art or a creative form of expression is a great way to promote their intellectual development and Orange Wheels in Abu Dhabi might just be the place to start. From ballet, hip-hop and sports to yoga, Islamic studies and interactive music sessions, they have it all.
Location Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi Cost Varies based on classes Contact +971 2 641 0010 Email knockknock@orangewheels.com Website
7. Family Tea Time at The Sportsman’s Arms
There are some days when you just need to dunk into a delicious filling meal with the family and The Sportsman’s Arms has just the thing just for one of those days. With two options of set menus, Sportsman’s Classics and Jack’s Family Bucket, the offer is recommended for two adults and two kids. It’s only on weekdays, but this Sunday is off so get going!
Location First Floor, International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi Cost Dh225 per package (two adults and two kids) Dates Sunday to Wednesday Timings 5pm to 7.30pm Contact +971 2 403 4235 Email reservations@sportsmanszsc.com
8. Sushi Sunday at Aquarium
Enjoy a generous selection of all you can eat Sushi buffet for AED 99 per person. With beautiful views and ambiance, you can make your Sunday evenings pretty awesome.
Location Aquarium, Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi Cost Dh99 per person Dates Every Sunday (October) Timings 7pm to 11pm Contact +971 2 565 0007
9. Breakfast in the clouds
So, you won’t technically be ‘in the clouds’ but you get pretty close. Break your fast at At.mosphere in Burj Khalifa this weekend with their new breakfast menu and of course, the indescribable view from up there.
Location Level 122, Burj Khalifa, At.mosphere Lounge Cost Dh325 per person Dates Daily Timings 7am to 10.30am Contact +971 4 888 3828 Email reservations@atmosphereburjkhalifa.com Visit
10. The Younger Lovers Live at The Baggot
Bad House Party events are rather clandestine yet incredibly famous amongst its regulars. What’s not to love? The punk scene, blow up animals on the dance floor, a fun crowd and amazing music makes these events a must-visit. This edition features The Younger Lovers, a power punk band California, USA) that will bring a blend of 'garage-rock grime and malt shop romance' to Dubai.
Location McGettigan's JLT & The Baggot, Dubai Dates Friday, September 30 Timings 9.00pm to 3am (Band on stage at 11pm) Tickets Dh100 at the door
11. SoundOpia Full Moon Desert Festival
This event pegs itself as the one and only 24-hours non-stop music festival in the UAE. The event features a colorful festival ambiance and 3 stages. Over 20 local and international talents will be performing at the event and if you’re into Deep House and Techno, you can’t miss this.
Location The Relax RvCamp Desert Camp, Ras Al Khaimah Dates Thursday, September 29 Timings 6pm onThursday to 6pm on Friday Facebook Event Page Tickets Dh150
12. Zabeel Park Flea Market
The Dubai flea market is on this weekend as well. For those who are planning on enjoying a tame Friday night, you might as well get up early and head to Zabeel Park on Saturday at 8:00am and check out a range of household items, clothes, shoes, ceramics, toys, games and much more.
Location Zabeel Park, Dubai Dates Saturday, October 1 Timings 8.00am to 3:00pm Website www.dubai-fleamarket.com
13. GITEX Shopper 2016
The tech shopping event is back again at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Starting this weekend (Saturday), and on for 8 days, this edition features interactive visitor attractions, customer promotions, instant rewards on purchases and competitions.
Location Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Dates Saturday, October 01 – Saturday, October 8 Tickets Dh35, Discounted entry on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (Dh30) Website http://www.gitexshopperdubai.com/
14. Gulf Photo Plus Market Day
This is a photographers dream. The GPP Market day gives hobbyists a chance to buy and sell their unused gear and land a few good bargains along the way. The GPP store, which will be closing its doors permanently at 7pm will feature slashed prices on all products in a all-stocks-must-go sale.
Location Alserkal Avenue, Unit D36, Al Quoz, Dubai Dates Friday, September 30 Timings 5.00pm to 7:00pm Facebook event page
15. Friday Night Funnies
If you’ve had a grumpy week and are need of a laugh, head out to the Al Wasl Ballroom, Dusit Thani Dubai. The show, hosted by local funnyman Nitin Mirani, is in Hinglish (both in Hindi and English) and features Daniel Fernandes, Vipul Goyal, Aditi Mittal, Rajneesh Kapoor and Rishi Budhrani.
Location Al Wasl Ballroom, Dusit Thani Dubai, Dubai Dates Friday, September 30 Timings Doors open at 7.30pm (show timings 8:30pm to 10:30pm) Email info@leoevents.ae Facebook event page
16. Ignite Circuit Training
Every Friday, give your fitness goals a head start with a circuit training session with Ignite Fitness and Wellness. Circuit training combines high-intensity cardio with weight-training to give tangible results over time.
Location The Springs and Silicon Oasis Dates and timings The Springs – Sunday 7.15pm to 8.15pm; Tuesday 7.15 to 8.15pm; Thursday 6.30 to 7.30pm Silicon Oasis – Friday 7 to 8am Book sessions online here www.ignite-wellness.ae Contact +971 4 456 2482
Movie Time
Check into Gulf News to learn which movies are running every day along with timings and cinemas across the UAE. Click here for more details.
Staying in?
Not up to braving the crowds in Dubai? Find a new TV series to watch - Stranger Things and Narco are on our must-watch list.
Gulf News has you covered live sport blogs, movie reviews, health and fitness pages, television news and much more. Check out our most popular sections to find what catches your fancy this weekend in Sport and Leisure.
