From art fairs to freshly revamped beaches and Dhs125 dinners, your May Dubai guide is here
May in Dubai hits different. The pre-summer sweet spot: warm enough for beach days, not yet scorching enough to make you question all your life choices. And whether you’re here for the electronic music marathons, a splash of culture, or a long-overdue new beach spot, there’s something to lock in your diary.
Here are 9 fun new things to do in Dubai in May 2026.
May 1 to 17: Dubai Restaurant Week
Dubai Restaurant Week returns this May with over 125 restaurants serving up a two-course set lunch for Dhs125 and a three-course dinner for Dhs250. The 2026 edition features menus from more than 30 Michelin Guide-listed restaurants, alongside offerings from internationally renowned chefs including Nobu Matsuhisa, Gordon Ramsay, and Akira Back. Whether you’ve been meaning to finally book that table at a DIFC institution or want to explore a neighbourhood gem, this is your window. Book via Careem DineOut and check the full line-up at visitdubai.com.
Where: Citywide
When: May 1 to 17
Price: From Dhs125 (lunch) | Dhs250 (dinner)
May 5: Al Mamzar Beach Reopens
Big news for anyone who’s been watching the construction go up on Dubai’s northern coast. Al Mamzar Beach reopened on May 5 after a complete redesign with upgraded facilities, more space, and a whole new vibe as part of Dubai Municipality’s broader Dhs500 million beach development plan. Standout features include the world’s first 24/7 women-only beach with night swimming, a floating walkway at Al Mamzar Lagoon, and over 5.5 kilometres of integrated walking, running and cycling tracks. Entry is just Dhs5.
Where: Al Mamzar, Dubai
When: Open now
Entry: Dhs5
May 7: Ramen Hisa
From the team behind TakaHisa comes Ramen Hisa, a speciality ramen restaurant opening in Downtown on May 7. Ideally situated for a pre-theatre meal next to Dubai Opera, Ramen Hisa is all about putting quality and depth into one of Japan’s best-loved comfort foods. Elevating the experience, high-quality ingredients are selected from across Japan, while all noodles are made in-house, and dashi and soups use carefully selected ingredients to pack flavour into every mouthful.
Where: Plaza Unit #6, Dubai Opera
When: From May 7
Visit: @ramenhisa
May 9: Carl Cox closes out at Pacha ICONS
One of electronic music’s most legendary names brings the curtain down on the Pacha ICONS season with a closing party at FIVE LUXE JBR. Carl Cox, widely regarded as the godfather of house and techno, takes over Playa Pacha for what promises to be an open-air, skyline-backed, Ibiza-energy kind of night. Doors open at 7pm and things run until 3am with tickets from Dhs200.
Where: FIVE LUXE JBR
When: Saturday, May 9
Tickets: pachaicons.com/dubai
Until May 10: House of Porsche at Paus Club
House of Porsche: Inspired by You transforms Paus Club into a multi-sensory cultural platform built around the pillars of Soul, Mind, and Body, open daily from 6am to midnight. The programme includes art therapy and sound healing sessions, guided meditation and yoga nidra, pilates, aromatherapy, and a Block Party with music, poetry and open mic sessions.
Where: Paus Club, Dubai
When: Until May 10, daily 6am to midnight
Entry: Free
May 11 to 17: Cocktail Week at ICD Brookfield Place
DIFC’s most atmospheric address turns into a week-long celebration of the craft cocktail. Spread across The Guild, 1920, Josette, La Niña, Lulu & The Beanstalk, Il Gattopardo and Bar des Prés, Cocktail Week brings a curated line-up of standout serves, masterclasses and pairing experiences designed to take you beyond the glass. Tickets from Dhs88.
Where: ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC
When: May 11–17
Tickets: platinumlist.net
Now open: The Serpenti Beach Club
Bvlgari Resort Dubai has introduced the Serpenti Beach Club, a new beachfront experience at La Spiaggia on Jumeira Bay Island, inspired by the Maison’s iconic Serpenti motif now woven through the sunbeds, cabanas and shaded terraces. Set against the Arabian Gulf, the club shifts from a serene daytime retreat to a more atmospheric waterside escape come golden hour. Access runs from 8am to sunset. Weekday entry is Dhs500 per person (fully redeemable on F&B); weekends are Dhs650, non redeemable.
Where: Bvlgari Resort Dubai, Jumeira Bay Island
When: Open daily, 8am to sunset
Price: From Dhs500
May 14 to 17: Art Dubai Special Edition
Art Dubai was originally scheduled for April but has moved to May 14 to 17 in an adapted format at Madinat Jumeirah. Marking the fair’s 20th year, this special edition will feature over 75 presentations from commercial galleries, institutional participants and partners, with galleries from nearly 20 countries and strong regional representation. This year’s edition is free for visitors, with large-scale installations, performances, talks and site-responsive commissions by artists including Khalid Al Banna, Hashel Al Lamki and Sudarshan Shetty.
Where: Madinat Jumeirah
When: May 14 (VIP preview), May 15 to 17 (public)
Entry: Free (public days)
May 17: DXB Snow Run at Ski Dubai
Only in Dubai would you run a race at -4°C while the city outside hits 36°C. Back for its seventh edition in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council, DXB Snow Run invites runners to take on the slopes at Ski Dubai in a community-driven event themed ‘Growing in Unity’ as part of the UAE Year of Family. Choose from a 3km or 5km distance, compete solo or in a team of five, and register before May 14. Prices start from Dhs110, while spectator passes are Dhs50.
Where: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates
When: Sunday, May 17
Tickets: From Dhs110, via skidxb.com
