The weekend weekend is fast approaching – and if you still haven’t made your plans, fret not, we’ve got loads to keep you occupied. From Eid al-Adha fireworks to staycations, dining deals and late-night movies, you’ll never be bored.
Thursday August 8
Get 30 percent off at Biggles
Biggles Pub in Garhoud is throwing an ‘Old is Gold’ 30th birthday party, and it’s inviting all its regulars and newbies alike to cele-brate. The longstanding bar in Garhoud is marking its birthday in style this Thursday (August 8) by throwing a huge bash from 8pm until 2am. And all who come to the pub will get a 30 percent discount on their total bill. That means getting all of its pub grub and house beverages for a nifty price cut.
Prices vary. Thu Aug 8, 8pm-2am. Millennium Airport Hotel, Garhoud, (04 702 8888).
Go on an Eid staycation
Fancy a stay on the Palm Jumeirah? If you’re in need of a hotel getaway, you’re in luck, as Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites has announced a special package just for the occasion. Offering a free upgrade to half board, the luxury beachfront hotel is slicing its prices for guests on select spa treatments at the Anjana Spa by 20 percent too. While the parents relax at the spa, the little ones can head to the newly refurbished Rixy Kids Club for a bundle of fun activities.
From Dhs1,000. Until Fri Aug 16. Palm Jumeirah, www.thepalmdubai.rixos.com.
Late-night shopping
To celebrate Eid, major malls across Dubai are extending their opening hours until midnight and beyond, which means more time to shop, dine and have a leisurely stroll.
Over the Eid holidays, between Saturday August 10 and Tuesday August 13, Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif will all be staying open until 1am.
Retail shops at Ibn Battuta Mall will stay open until midnight during the holidays, while its food and beverage outlets will be open until 1am. As for The Dubai Mall, shoppers will be able to stay until 2am from Thursday August 8 until Saturday August 17.
Dates and times vary. Multiple locations including The Dubai Mall; Mall of the Emirates; City Centre Deira; City Centre Mirdif; Dubai Festival City Mall; Ibn Battuta Mall.
Staycation aboard an iconic cruise liner
The QE2 has a top Eid escape deal that includes a two-night stay for two guests, a daily breakfast, a Friday or Saturday brunch and 40 percent off all spa treatments for some pre- or post-brunch relaxation. The offer starts from Dhs790. Get booking.
From Dhs790. Thu Aug 8-Fri Aug 9 or Fri Aug 9-Sat Aug 10. Port Rashid, Bur Dubai (04 526 8888).
Tastes of the Capital
Fancy some truly great food? Eat at top Abu Dhabi restaurants such as Filini Garden, JW Steakhouse and Market Kitchen for under Dhs300 as part of Tastes of the Capital, which is powered by Time Out Abu Dhabi.
Until Aug 15. www.timeoutabudhabi.com/tastes-of-the-capital
Friday August 9
Bikers’ night
Love nothing more than a day out on your Harley? Have a wardrobe full of motorcycle leathers? Well now there's a deal just for the city's bikers. Every Friday from 8pm until midnight, bikers save some dirhams with these top deals at Satwa’s Boston Bar. Throughout the evening there’s a buy two, get one free deal on draught hops or bikers can get their hands on five bottles of select hops for Dhs135. Hungry? For every five hops ordered you’ll get free chicken wings and there’s some top food and drink combo deals including hops and a burger for Dhs85 or hops and a sausage for Dhs99.
Prices vary. Fri 8pm-midnight. Ongoing. Jumeira Rotana, Satwa (04 345 5888).
Go to a hops festival
JBR’s Amwaj Rotana is hosting a “summer hops festival” until Saturday 31. Visit either Benihana, JB’s Gastropub or Rosso and sample dishes from special menus featuring hops-infused bites and sip on a selection of international brews ranging from Dhs40 to Dhs45.
Prices vary. Until Aug 31. Timings vary. Amwaj Rotana, JBR – The Walk (04 428 2000).
Enjoy Catvideofest at Cinema Akil
The popular independent cinema in Alserkal Avenue is celebrating all things fluffiness and adorable paws with its ‘CATVIDEOFEST’ weekend. So, if you like cats, this one is for you. Taking place from Friday August 9 until Saturday August 10, it kicks off with an adorable compilation reel of the latest, best cat videos out together from unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and, of course, classic internet powerhouses.
Dhs52.5 per ticket. Fri Aug 9-Sat Aug 10. Times vary. Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, www.cinemaakil.com (058 524 6362).
Taco time
Bluewaters Cuban party spot Havana Social serves up tacos for just Dhs10.
Dhs10. Fri 7pm-11pm. Ongoing. Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai (04 556 6666).
Saturday August 10
Dig into a burger
MasterChef, the TV Experience has announced a brand-new addition to its menu, named ‘The Extraordinary Burger’, and it comes along with premium hops for Dhs99.
Dhs60 (burger), Dhs99 (with hops). Daily, noon-3pm and 7pm-11pm. Millennium Place, Du-bai Marina, masterchefdxb.com (04 550 8111).
Dine for Dhs99
Head to Italian eatery BiCE Ristorante for a specially curated three-course meal featuring classic dishes for Dhs99. Once you’re well-fed you can move on to buzzing tiki restaurant and bar Trader Vic’s JBR and get a pitcher of one of its signature mixed drinks for Dhs99.
And lastly, for a bargainous Dhs99, you can spend the day lazing by the hotel’s private stretch of beach and receive the full amount back to spend on food and drinks at either of two restaurants.
Dhs99. Until Aug 17. Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, The Walk – JBR, www3.hilton.com (04 318 2999).
Go out for breakfast
Award-winning carine (it won Best European at the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2019) has just launched a new breakfast menu. It’s divided into three sections – egg dishes, tartines and sweet options and dishes start at Dhs20 with the most expensive dish – scrambled eggs with black truffle – coming in at Dhs75.
Fri-Sat 8.30am-1pm. Ongoing. Emirates Golf Club, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 417 9885).
Unlimited rides at Motiongate
Thrilling rides to go on as many times as we want, meeting up with Shrek, Master Po and The Smurfs, tucking into a buffet spread – sounds like a perfect Eid al-Adha celebration to us.
Motiongate Dubai has an Eid al-Adha offer, which includes unlimited access to the park and an Eid buffet at The Candy Apple.From Friday August 9 until Tuesday August 13, guests can visit the Hollywood-themed park for Dhs280 and get unlimited access to more than 20 indoor, immersive rides and attractions.
Dhs280 (buffet and ticket), Dhs59 (buffet). Fri Aug 9-Tue Aug 13, 5.30pm-9pm (buffet). Dubai Parks and Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Road, www.motiongatedubai.com (800 262 9464).
Sunday August 11
Watch the Eid fireworks
Head to Dubai Festival City Mall on Sunday August 11 and Monday August 12 where IMAGINE – the record-breaking water, lights and laser show – has designed a special show this Eid, with two shows every night at 8pm and 10pm.
It’s the only place in Dubai that will be putting on the grand firework show this Eid, and it’s sure to be packed. Get down early to get a good spot.
Free. Sun Aug 11-Mon Aug 12. Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall, Dubai Festival City, www.meraas.com.
Watch a 3am movie
Can’t sleep The Dubai Mall’s branch of Reel Cinemas is hosting 24-hour movie screenings to keep you occupied whatever the time during the holiday. The cinema will be open for 24 hours on the first two days of Eid al-Adha so it’s time to get planning what to see.
Sun Aug 11-Mon Aug 12. Reel Cinemas, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, www.reelcinemas.ae.
