What to Do in Dubai This Weekend

The working week is coming to its end, so it’s time we start thinking of the best way to spend our days off. There’s always what to do in Dubai, especially now, when the traditional Dubai Shopping Festival is still running. And fun can sometimes come for free, so you don’t have to worry about your limited finances. Just relax and see our list of some of the best shows, music performances, and sports events that will shake up Dubai this weekend.

The annual Dubai Shopping Festival will continue for another ten days, so if you still haven’t seen the shows or shopped, now is the time. That’s right, it’s not all about shopping, although there are amazing promotions and bargains right now at many store and shopping malls.

• Read more: DSF 2014 Best Shopping Deals

One of DSF events this week is the Market Outside the Box at Burj Park. It starts this Thursday and presents local and regional fashion and lifestyle brands in a new and somewhat unconventional way, which will attract not only shopping lovers, but all kinds of people. The market uses refurbished cargo containers to create unique and colourful shops for not-so-popular and independent fashion designers and lifestyle brands. The fashion stores include Poupee Couture, Fashlink, Comptoir 102, Mochi, ZinZin, The Hipster, OHM, If Boutique and more than 20 more. And while you’re shopping, you can grab a bite at the unique food & drink outlets at the event – Baker & Spice, Raw Coffee, Rice Creamery, Mama Tani Coffee Shop, Oasis Ice Cream, and others. The market is running every day until 2nd February at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai and also features a mini ramp for pro skaters and bikers, yoga classes on Friday and Saturday, as well as music performances and sets with DJs. The best part is that it’s absolutely free!

On Thursday night, one of the most attractive lead singers of the 90’s is performing in Dubai. Sharleen Spiteri and of course Texas, one of Scotland’s most popular bands are coming to the Irish Village, where you can see and hear them at 7.00 pm. The tickets are AED 175, but the event is already completely sold out, so unless a friend of yours has several extra passes, you won’t be able to see the band.

On Thursday again, you can watch one of the most spectacular and challenging powerboat races ever. The XCAT (Extreme Catamaran) World Series is holding its first round for 2014 for three days, so you can take the whole family with you and enjoy this amazing event. Head to Dubai International Marine Club, where you can attend the races for free.

The standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will be held on Friday with several races for all ages, starting from Dubai Police Academy, Umm Suqeim. The 42 km race starts at 7.00 am and the 10 km race – 15 minutes later, while the 3 km race, which is open to all, is at 11 am. Football fans can attend another round of the Arabian Gulf League matches this Friday, when The Red Knights are taking on the Bluesn in a classic Dubai derby. The admission is free at the Al Rashid Stadium. Another sports event this weekend in Dubai is the fifth round of the UAE National Race Day 2013-2014 at the Dubai Autodrome, Motorcity.

On Friday night, those who love Arabian music can head to Zabeel Park, where Mohamed Mouni and Nancy Arjam will be performing live. The tickets are AED 150, but you’ll have to also pay the AED 5 park entrance fee.

If you are looking for a more exquisite entertainment, check the Street Night Art exhibition this Friday. It’s part of the Al Quoz beautification project and will be held at 4B Street, Al Quoz, where art lovers will enjoy incredible works of art, while talking to the artists themselves. The admission to the outdoor exhibition is free of course and it starts at 6.00 pm.

From Friday until next Saturday, you can see the dark comedy Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, which is debuting in Dubai at the DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates. Tom Stoppard’s play takes place during Shakespeare’s Hamlet and tells the story from the perspective of the two unimportant characters. Tickets are only AED 80.

If however, not one of the upcoming events listed here seems exciting enough, you can always go shopping and search for the best deals and promotions during DSF. Besides discounted items, you can also win one of the many cash prizes and gifts at various city malls.