No sweeping or cleaning for Chinese NewYear 2026? What a shame… Think the first day of Chinese New Year is just about red envelopes and family feasts? Think again. According to tradition, what you do on day one sets the tone for the entire year ahead — so one wrong move could (symbolically, at least) sweep away your luck for the next 12 months. From putting the hoover away to avoiding hair wash day, here are seven things you definitely shouldn’t do on the first day of Chinese New Year 2026. 1. Don’t sweep or take out the rubbish Tempted

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Ramadan in Dubai 2026: What’s on, when and where across the city Ramadan in Dubai 2026 is set to light up the city with a full line-up, from night markets and waterfront pop-ups to sky-high drone shows. Expect glowing streets, extended mall hours, family-friendly happenings, and community initiatives carrying the spirit right through to Eid. Here’s what’s on, when and where across the city. Cultural and connections Ramadan Street Food Festival – Sheikh Hamdan Colony (16 Feb – 15 Mar) Ramadan by the Bay – Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall (18 Feb – 28 Mar) Ramadan Drone Show –

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Food, culture, tech and adventure.. All the new trends and moments not to miss in 2026 Travel in 2026 is set to go bigger, smarter and more immersive. From culture-shifting openings and next-level food scenes to tech-driven stays and once-in-a-lifetime adventures, these are the trends and experiences shaping 2026, and the ones worth planning for now. Take a street food tour Street food offers one of the fastest ways to understand a place – it’s a glimpse into the cultural soul of how people eat and gather day to day. One of the best ways to experience the melting pot

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Instagram-promised nonnas, comfort and chaos – we discover if this Italian eatery lives up to the hype After months of anticipation, Instagram hype and the promise of Italian grandmothers cooking your dinner, Mamabella in Dubai opened its doors. We went in hungry (and curious) to see whether this much-talked-about spot is more than just a PR stunt. The vibe Walking into Mamabella feels like stepping into a well-dressed Italian family home rather than a polished Dubai restaurant. It’s warm, bustling and full of life, the kind of place where chatter bounces off the walls and you’re encouraged to linger rather

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Mental toughness, fresh socks and Pot Noodles will be crucial in Michael Logue bid to break the record and run across the UAE in under five days Michael Logue sips a sparkling water and puts his feet up. He’s having a rest day. Two days before meeting What’s On, the Englishman ran 50K in 4 hours and 10 minutes in preparation for the hardest challenge of his life. On February 21 Logue will attempt to run from Fujairah across the seven Emirates to the UAE/Saudi Arabia border in under five days, a distance of 630K. That’s the equivalent of running

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Generous Italian cooking lands in Al Barsha with warmth, confidence and an easygoing spirit Words: Thomas Woodgate The spot Image: Provided Falcone has arrived in Al Barsha and if neighbourhood Italian is your thing – think unpretentious, yet top-of-their-game dishes served amidst a backdrop of comfort and generosity – then you’ve arrived at your culinary home. The room hums from the moment you step inside and the welcome is warm. The decor leans into warmth with bright colours that scream Capri afternoons in the sun and the pace is fast without feeling rushed. It’s bright and bustling and immediately gives

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Restaurants are ringing in the Year of the Horse with dim sum, Peking duck, lion dances and more From vibrant dragon dances to lavish feasts designed for sharing, Chinese New Year in Dubai unfolds as a citywide celebration of culture, colour and good fortune. As the Year of the Horse gallops in, restaurants, hotels and cultural venues across the city are marking the occasion with festive menus, immersive décor and time-honoured traditions, all delivered with Dubai’s signature flair. MEI The new MEI restaurant in Jumeirah Mina Al Salam approaches Chinese New Year with a more modern, indulgent hand. The set

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Is J Club worth Dhs51,500 a year? We put Dubai’s luxury lifestyle gym to the test From electrolyte shots between sets to sea-view cardio overlooking the Burj Al Arab, we spent a day at J Club to see if this high-end membership is a genuine game-changer – or just another glossy splurge. What’s On contributor Laura Coughlin puts a high-end lifestyle gym membership to the test – and weighs up whether it’s really worth the splurge By February, the January bravado ha usually fizzled out. Fitness plans are abandoned, the alarm snoozed and “this is my year” has quietly evolved

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Good, clean, wholesome vibes only People think they know Dubai. A city often presented as the poster boy for sky-spearing luxury and future-proof urban glamour. But beyond its gold-paved streets lies a treasure infinitely more sublime. The real Dubai is built from bones steeped in culture, is framed by otherworldly vistas and offers adventures that speak directly to your soul. And because this February we’ll be able to celebrate both the introspective wonder of Ramadan and the ode to interconnectedness that is Valentine’s Day – there really is no better time to dig down to our city’s truest, most authentic

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The best places to put your laces through their paces and join races in Dubai There are lots of reasons to start running, and exploring the best running routes in Dubai is a great place to begin. It’s a great all-round form of exercise, you can do it almost anywhere with minimal equipment, it gets you outside and (heavily) breathing fresh air, avoiding pursuing bears, and making tight connection times in unfamiliar airports. There are only really two main reasons why you shouldn’t – you’re physically unable to and it looks hard. And we’d argue the second of those is

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