It’s a big list this week, for a big, long weekend. This Saturday (December 2) marks National Day, and 47 years since the UAE was formed. If that’s not an excuse to knock seven bells out of this weekend then we don’t know what is. Fittingly, there’s a load of celebrations going on over the course of the four-day weekend
Thursday 29
Art of Plating
It looks so good you could eat it. French chef Yann Bernard Lejard is coming to Le Cirque for one night only, whipping up a decorative five-course menu of edible art.
Dhs350 (soft drinks), Dhs588 (grape pairing). Thu Nov 29, 7pm. The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC (04 372 2323).
Back to Warehouse
Head here for a big way to end the week, with unlimited drinks for Dhs169 and retro tunes
Dhs160. Thu 9pm-midnight. Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, Garhoud (04 702 2455).
BAO Festival at Meydan
DJs from the World’s Top 100 will take to the stage at The Meydan Hotel for BAO Festival on Thursday November 29 and Friday November 30. Afrojack, Don Diablo, NERVO and Alok will be starring as part of the epic line-up, joining R3hab, Salvatore Ganacci Marcus Santoro, Brooks and Dante Klein. We can’t wait for a bit of body-popping.
From Dhs550. Thu Nov 29 & Fri Nov 30, 6pm-3am. The Meydan Hotel, Nad Al Sheba, www.platinumlist.net
DJ Spoony takes to the decks at Zero Gravity
British garage DJ, and former BBC Radio 1 presenter, DJ Spoony will be spinning the tracks at Time Out Dubai’s Best Beachclub this evening.
Free before 8pm, free for ladies all night. Dhs100 for gents after 9pm. Skydive Dubai Drop Zone, Dubai Marina (04 399 0009)
Dubai Rugby Sevens
New to the Rugby Sevens? All you need to know is that matches are fast and furious, there’s plenty of grub on offer and there are post-match gigs, including one from So Solid’s Lisa Maffia and Romeo. Dig out your best fancy dress, it’s time to party at this fun sports event.
From Dhs315. Thu Nov 29-Sat Dec 1. Daily 7.30am-10pm. The Sevens Stadium Dubai, Al Ain Road, dubairugby7s.com (04 321 0008).
Eat at Hell’s Kitchen
The restaurant from famous chef Gordon Ramsay is now open at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, and it’s serving up plenty of tasty British-inspired dishes.
Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai, Bluewaters, www.caesars.com/dubai.
Head to a theme park
The largest theme park destination in the Middle East is getting ready to celebrate the National Day across all its theme parks, including LEGOLAND Dubai, MOTIONGATE Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, LEGOLAND Water Park along with Riverland Dubai. Better yet, guests looking to explore more than one park will only have to pay Dhs47.
From Dhs99, Dhs47 (additional park ticket). Wed Nov 28-Mon Dec 3. Dubai Parks and Resorts Sheikh Zayed Road (800 2629464).
Post Rugby Sevens party at Lucky Voice
Lucky Voice is offering a free drink to everyone coming from the Rugby Sevens. Simply turn up in your Fancy Dress or show your Rugby Sevens ticket to receive a free house drink.
Thu Nov 29 – Sat Dec 1, 5pm-3am. Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights (800 58259).
PUBG Mobile Star Challenge Global at Festival Arena
The mobile phone gaming tournament at Dubai Festival City will see professional players from six global regions duke it out for the grand prize of $600,000 (Dhs2,203,920).
From Dhs35. Thu Nov 29-Sat Dec 1, daily 4pm-9pm. Festival Arena Dubai, Dubai Festival City (04 601 0101).
Friday 30
4 ELEMENTS at Nikki Beach
DJ Valeron is heading to Nikki Beach today to lull you into a state of chilled out bliss you as you stretch out by the pool. The event is part of the 4 ELEMENTS series in celebration of the planet, with a special focus on the fundamentals of fire. Wear red.
From Dhs250. Sep 28, 11am-9pm. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, Pearl Jumeira (04 376 6000).
Enjoy an emoji brunch
Get the heart eyes face every time you think about brunch? Or how about the monkey-covering-eyes when you weigh up how many calories you’ve consumed with that third trip to the chocolate fountain? Well now there’s a brunch with your name on it. Aloft Me’aisam has introduced the Emoji Brunch, which is packed full of grub, unlimited emoji-themed drinks and, apparently, emoji-themed games.
Dhs111 (soft drinks), Dhs222 (house beverages). Fri 1pm-4pm. Aloft Me’aisam, Production City (04 248 7070).
Experience Monte Carlo in Dubai
Buddha-Bar, the swanky, cavernous and uber-trendy Monte Carlo bar found within Grosvenor House, has announced the arrival of the second instalment of DXB Sessions – a series of massive dance events, each of which will pay tribute to Buddha-Bar venues from around the world. On Friday November 30, it’s the turn of Monte Carlo, and this Asian fusion restaurant and bar will be bringing over an evening which it promises to be full of “innovative electro beats”. Now that’s something we can get behind.
Free entry. Fri Nov 30, 7pm-3am. Grosvenor House Dubai, Dubai Marina (04 317 6000).
Friday after-brunch party
Head to L!QD in Barsha Heights for a late-afternoon party every Friday with unlimited drinks for two hours for Dhs99.
Dhs99. Fri 5pm-7pm. TRYP by Wyndham, Barsha Heights (04 247 6666).
La Perle discounts
See La Perle by Dragone during National Day week (Wed Nov 28- Sun Dec 2) and you’ll save 47 percent off the usual ticket price. The aqua-theatre uses 2.7 million litres of water for each performance, so don’t miss this stunning show. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate.
From Dhs222. Tue-Fri 7pm & 9.30pm, Sat 4pm & 7pm. The Atrium. Al Habtoor City (04 341 8844).
Lock, Stock & Barrel Dubai Rugby Sevens party bus
When the Dubai Rugby Sevens finishes, it doesn’t mean the party is over. That’s because LSB is offering a totally free bus so you can boogie on down to the after-party. The Barsha Heights branch of the popular bar will be ferrying rugbygoers from the stadium and there’ll even be Dhs5,000 for the best dressed.
Free. Fri Nov 30, 8pm-midnight. The Sevens Stadium to LSB Barsha Heights (04 520 0049).
See La La Land at Urban Outdoor Cinema
Do you like jazz? Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone put in a stunning performance during this original musical about everyday life in the city of stars. We’re even treated to a few performances by John Legend – and what better way to watch it all play out than al fresco on the big screen?
Dhs75. Fri Nov 30, 7pm. Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, Dubai Marina (122 365 4897).
Slurp a patriotic CrazyShake
Coming just in time for UAE National Day on Sunday December 2, Black Tap (which, coincidentally, is about to launch its third branch in Dubai) is launching a dedicated CrazyShake inspired by the UAE’s national flag.
Dhs69. Available Fri Nov 30-Mon Dec 3. Various locations, including Jumeirah Al Naseem (04 422 9904)
Saturday, December 1
Beachside dining
We’ve had the staycation – and now Dubai has the daycation. That means enjoying a day of beachside dining, lounging by the pool and access to Dubai’s largest private beach.
Dhs250 (adults). Sun-Thu, 9am-11pm. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Al Sufouh (04 399 2314).
Head to the Love Lakes
Dubai has created the “Love Lakes” – two intertwined heart-shaped lakes set up near Al Qudra Lakes, and its full of all things related to love. Unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council for Dubai Government, the new site even has trees planted that spell out the word “love”. Al Qudra Lakes, Al Qudra, Dubailand.
National Day fireworks at La Mer
Over the course of two days (Saturday December 1 and Sunday December 2), firework displays will light up the coastline to mark the 47th UAE National Day, and there’ll also be live music to really get you in the celebratory mood.
Free. Sat Dec 1 & Sun Dec 2, 9pm. La Mer, Jumeirah 1, www.lamerdubai.ae.
Santa at Reform Social & Grill
Shop for gifts, watch tricks by a magician and let children write letters to Santa in Reform’s sprawling festive garden before meeting the big man himself. We hope you’ve been good this year.
Free. Dec 1, noon-6pm. The Lakes Club, Emirates Hills (04 454 2638).
Seafood Fest at The Waterfront Market
Get stuck into cockles, mussels and all that good stuff at Seafood Fest at The Waterfront Market today, with live
entertainment from 8pm.
Dhs50. Fri Dec 1, 1pm onwards. The Waterfront Market, Deira, waterfrontmarket.ae.
Sunday 2
Chill out at the spa
If you’re looking for a little rest and relaxation as well on Sunday December 2, then head to Shine Spa at Sheraton Mall of the Emirates and enjoy 47 percent off its treatments for one day only. Take the time to chill out and pamper.
Sun Dec 2, 10am-10pm. Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Sheraton Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha (04 377 2380).
Emirati feasting
Emirati restaurant Al Mashowa at City Walk are be offering a ‘Fawalat Al Mashowa’ afternoon tea featuring Emirati sweets such as chebab, mohallah and assidat al boubar, and you can wash it all down with the famous karak tea. That’s not all, as it will also be offering ‘Srood Al Mashowa’, an Emirati sharing breakfast for two that includes balaleet, baith tamat and fried egg, dango, bajella and white beans, a cheese platter, chammi with dates and cream, a bread basket and karak chai. That’s a lot of food.
Sun Dec 2 onwards. Open Sun-Thu 8am-midnight; Fri-Sat 8am-1am. Afternoon tea: 4pm-7pm In front of Hub Zero, City Walk (04 820 4330).
Festival City fireworks
Dubai Festival City has a well-deserved good reputation for putting on a fantastic show during special events, and luckily for us it’s ramping it up further forUAE National Day. There’ll be two firework shows at 9pm and 11pm today. Plus, a brand-new IMAGINE show at 9pm and 11pm as well, promising to beam the colours of the UAE flag across the waters of the Festival Bay. The mall will kick off celebrations from 2pm onwards, including a special Ayala dance performance. It’s the perfect destination if you’re looking to celebrate after a busy day shopping.
Free. Dec 2. Ayala dance: 2pm-onwards. IMAGINE show: 9pm and 11pm. Fireworks: 9pm and 11pm. Dubai Festival City (800 332).
Free burritos at Taqado
Fancy a burrito while enjoying all the celebrations? Well you can get one for free at Taqado at Mercado Mall on Sunday December 2. Kicking off at 5pm, the restaurant will be giving away 1,000 free burritos, and it doesn’t stop until each and every burrito is given away. Here’s a quick tip, Taqado is located at the top of the escalator in Mercato Mall, on the right-hand side.
Free. 5pm onwards. Mercato Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road, www.taqado.com
Free coffee
Park House is celebrating UAE National Day by giving away free coffee at the Nessnass Beach location.
Dec 2, 9am-noon. Nessnass beach, Jumeirah (04 254 1565).
Jazz on the Deck at Boardwalk
Enjoy live jazz under the stars at out current Best Outdoor Restaurant with music from Rich Kennedy and food and beverage offers. Jazz hands at the ready.
Prices vary. Sun 8pm-10.30pm. Ongoing. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Deira (04 295 6000).
The Remedy to Sunday blues
The Remedy promises unlimited pink grape for Dhs125 every Sunday from 7pm until midnight plus music from Jaymie DeVille.
Dhs125. Sun 7pm-midnight. Taj Dubai, Business Bay (04 438 3100).
Monday 3
47 percent off the entire menu at KAD CHÉ
Get 47 percent off your total bill at KAD CHÉ this National Day, choosing from burgers, salads, sandwiches and desserts all made with fresh and organic ingredients. Nom.
Open daily 8am-11pm. Bay Square, Business Bay (04 338 8243).
Cheese please
Le Petit Belge’s “Cheesolution” cheesy goodness. For Dhs130, guests will get unlimited red and white grape, and an assortment of cheeses.
Dhs130. Mon 6pm-9pm. Various locations including JLT, Business Bay & Motor City, www.lepetitbelge.com
