Enjoy the last weekend of the year in style
Twas the week before New Year, and all across Dubai, the traffic was easing, the city was buzzing, and going out suddenly felt like a very good idea.
Here are some of the top things you can do in Dubai this weekend
Celebrate Boxing Day in Dubai
Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean the festive season is all wrapped up. Gather with loved ones once again and celebrate Boxing Day. At The Croft, you can indulge in a hearty British feast featuring succulent cuts, crispy golden roasties, and fluffy Yorkshire puddings for a comforting and indulgent post-Christmas treat. There’s live entertainment from 7pm, too.
Location: The Croft, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina
Date/Time: 12.30pm to 11pm on December 26
Costs: Dhs150 (food only)
Contact: (04) 319 4000
Be amazed by an all-new drone show
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) drone show has been lighting up the skies of Bluewaters Dubai and The Beach JBR for a few weeks now. And if you’ve already seen the show, don’t tick it off your to-do list just yet, because a new show is gracing the skies from tonight. This show is called Celebrations and it is packed with bright colours, and impressive drone formations. It’s all set to powerful music that adds to the festive atmosphere. The drone shows have been upgraded this year with faster drone movements, brighter lights, and more effects. So, it’s definitely an exciting show to watch this festive season. Read more here.
Locations: Bluewaters Island, Dubai, and The Beach JBR
Times: Daily from December 5 to January 11, 8pm and 10pm
Cost: Free
Shop til you drop
Credit cards at the ready, there’s a 12-hour sale coming to Dubai this week, and if you’ve gotten some cash for Christmas, the DSF 12-hour sale is the place to spend it. It takes place on Thursday, December 26 from 10am to 10pm, shoppers can snap up discounts of up to 90 per cent across popular brands across Majid Al Futtaim malls. The sale spans a vast selection from lifestyle and electronics to fashion, beauty, homeware, and much more.
Read more here.
Enjoy a slow Saturday brunch
Want a lazy Saturday but don’t want to skip brunch? Say hello to the new Saturday Creekside Lazy Brunch at Luma Pool Lounge. The lounge is trading thumping playlists and frantic plate-stacking for an unhurried brunch backed with open-air seating, an infinity pool, and wide, cinematic views of the city skyline easing its way toward sunset. The curated set menu brags Mediterranean and Levantine, with a subtle Asian flourish. Highlights include a roaming pasta station for carb cravings and a live barbecue station adding a little theater (and a lot of aroma) to proceedings. Prices start at Dhs299 per person, or Dhs350 with house drinks included, making it a smart option for those seeking a premium brunch experience without the chaos.
Location: Creekside Lazy Brunch, Luma Pool Lounge, Address Creek Harbour
Times: Saturdays, 2pm to 5pm
Cost: Dhs299 per person, Dhs350 with house drinks.
Contact: (0)4 275 8833
Last chance to check out the Christmas markets in Dubai
If you haven’t had the time, this is your last weekend to check out a few Christmas markets in Dubai. You can pick the very popular Madinat Jumeirah Christmas Market at Fort Island, Winter District at Emirates Towers, and Winter City at Expo City Dubai. There’s also the Winter Waterfront Experience at Festival City, but that closes in January giving you a little more time to tick it off the list.
Read more here.
Indulge in a juicy brisket for just Dhs28
Smok’n 7 is the newest addition to Dubai’s smokehouse scene. Located in an unassuming warehouse in Al Quoz, this authentic smokehouse brings the best Australian-quality Wagyu beef to the city for a smokehouse experience that’s tasty, authentic, and that little bit elevated – perfect for the Dubai palate. On the menu, there’s everything you’d expect from the traditional smokehouse: fall-off-the-bone ribs dressed in a sweet, sticky glaze, juicy burgers packed with flavour, and tender brisket, where slices of moreish meat start from just Dhs28. Read more here.
Location: Smok’n 7, Al Qouz Industrial fourth, Al Quoz, Dubai
Times: Thurs to Sun, from 12pm
Make a reservation at Giulia
Chic alfresco eatery Giulia at Be Beach brings Italian coastal charm to a relaxed yet refined space, where Mediterranean soul meets Dubai’s unmistakable seaside glamour. Giulia is designed as a serene retreat from the city, instantly teleporting diners to the Italian Riviera with airy interiors bathed in natural light, woven textures, and a soothing palette of soft, earthy hues that channel the laid-back elegance of an Amalfi Coast afternoon. The menu celebrates the purity and simplicity of Italian cuisine with dishes like calamari e zucchini fritti, wood-fired bruschetta, beef carpaccio, linguine alle vongole and more.
Location: Giulia by the Beach, Be Beach, Dubai Harbour
Times: Thurs to Sun, from 12pm
Contact: (056) 454 4242
