Finding things to do in Dubai this weekend starts with knowing how the UAE week works. The official weekend runs from Saturday to Sunday, but for many people the fun begins on Friday afternoon, when government offices and schools finish early and the city starts to fill up. The listings above show what is on in Dubai this weekend. Below, we share how we put a weekend together, from Friday night out to a slow Sunday, and the local traditions that make weekends here feel different.
Since 2022 the UAE has followed a Saturday to Sunday weekend, with many workplaces and schools finishing at lunchtime on Friday. In practice that gives Dubai three busy evenings: Friday, Saturday and, to a lesser extent, Sunday. Friday evening is often the busiest of all for restaurants, bars and malls, as everyone celebrates the end of the working week, while Saturday daytime is the peak for brunches, beaches and family outings. Sunday tends to be calmer, which makes it a good day for attractions and museums if you want shorter queues. Friday midday prayers mean some venues open a little later on Friday, so check the timings before you head out.
No guide to a Dubai weekend is complete without brunch. It is a local institution: a long, sociable meal, usually from early afternoon into the evening, with a set price for food and optional drinks packages. Saturday is the classic brunch day, although many venues also run Friday and Sunday versions. Brunches range from relaxed family affairs with kids’ clubs to glamorous hotel parties with live music and DJs. A few tips from us:
Our dinner and brunch page lists the current options, and an afternoon tea is a gentler alternative.
From roughly October to April, when the weather cools down, Dubai’s outdoor weekend scene comes into its own. Pop-up markets appear at venues across the city, typically selling local crafts, fashion, plants and street food, and they make an easy Saturday morning plan. Ripe Market is a long-running favourite for local produce and makers, and seasonal night markets usually appear in community spaces across the city. Global Village, on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, is open every season from autumn to spring and stays open late, so it works well as an evening plan after dinner. Other easy outdoor ideas include a walk along the creek at Al Seef, a sunset at Kite Beach, or a picnic at Zabeel Park or Al Barsha Pond Park.
Weekends are when Dubai families head out together, so the most popular places get busy. We suggest doing the big attraction in the morning, when energy levels are high and queues are shorter, and keeping the afternoon for something low-key such as a beach or a park. In summer, indoor options are the answer: the big malls have aquariums, ice rinks, play centres and cinemas, and many hotels sell pool day passes. In winter, look out for farm visits, outdoor theatre and family festivals. Our kids and family events page has workshops, shows and activities for every age, and attractions covers the theme parks and water parks you can book any weekend.
Friday night is Dubai’s big night out. Concerts at Coca-Cola Arena, comedy nights, rooftop bars in Downtown and beach clubs on the Palm and in Dubai Marina all draw big crowds. Friday and Saturday nights fill up fastest, so if your plan has a fixed start time, book ahead and leave extra time for traffic around Downtown, the Marina and JBR. Our concerts and nightlife pages are the best place to start.
Two days is plenty of time to explore another emirate. Abu Dhabi has the museums of Saadiyat Island and the theme parks of Yas Island, roughly 90 minutes away by car. Sharjah is closer and known for its heritage area, museums and arts scene. Further afield, Ras Al Khaimah offers mountains, Jebel Jais and beach resorts, while Fujairah has the east coast for snorkelling and diving. Our Abu Dhabi guide has more ideas.
Book the anchor of your weekend, whether that is a brunch, a concert or a family attraction, by midweek, then fill the rest with free or flexible plans. The Dubai Metro is often the easiest way to reach Downtown and the Marina on busy weekend evenings, so check the last train time before a late night. Check whether a public holiday falls on your weekend, because long weekends around Eid and National Day are much busier, and opening hours change during Ramadan. Always buy tickets from the organiser or an official seller. Discount programmes and two-for-one apps can make a brunch or attraction much better value.
Planning something for the weekend? Organisers can submit an event to our listings.
Looking beyond Dubai? Abu Dhabi this weekend · Sharjah this weekend · All UAE weekend events
We list 5 events in Dubai this weekend, including Pluma Circus Show 2026 in Dubai (2 Nov), Kids Pizza Making Class 2026 in Dubai (2 Nov), Imaginary Art Show in KRASOTA Restaurant (2 Nov). Tickets start from AED 95. Every listing links to the official ticket page.
Yes, the UAE weekend has officially been Saturday and Sunday since January 2022. Many government offices, schools and businesses also finish early on Friday, around lunchtime, so Friday evening has become one of the busiest nights for restaurants, bars and malls in Dubai. Friday midday prayers can also mean slightly later opening times at some venues.
Saturday is the classic brunch day in Dubai, although many hotels and restaurants also run brunches on Friday and Sunday. Most start around midday or early afternoon and last three to four hours, with a set price for food and optional drinks packages. Popular brunches fill up, so book early in the week. Our dinner and brunch page lists current options.
Yes, Dubai has a lively weekend market scene, mainly from October to April when the weather is cooler. Ripe Market is a long-running favourite for local produce, crafts and street food, and pop-up and night markets appear at community spaces and venues across the city. Global Village, open every season from autumn to spring, also works as a large evening market with food from around the world.
Families in Dubai can spend the weekend at theme parks such as IMG Worlds of Adventure, Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm, or the Dubai Parks and Resorts area near Jebel Ali. Public beaches, Zabeel Park and Al Barsha Pond Park are free and best in winter. In summer, malls with aquariums, ice rinks and play zones are the easy choice. See our kids and family events.
Many Dubai brunches welcome children, and some family brunches have kids’ clubs, entertainers or pool access, but others are strictly adults only, especially those with drinks packages or party themes. The minimum age is usually stated on the venue’s booking page, often 21 for licensed adult brunches. Check the age policy before booking, as it is enforced at the door.
Friday night is usually the busiest evening of the week in Dubai, as the working week ends early on Friday for many people. Restaurants, rooftop bars and beach clubs in Downtown, Dubai Marina, JBR and Palm Jumeirah fill up fast, and traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road can be heavy. Book a table in advance and consider the Metro or a taxi to avoid parking queues.
On a summer weekend in Dubai, when temperatures often pass 40°C, the best plans are indoors or after dark. Popular choices include Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates, the Dubai Aquarium, indoor theme parks, cinemas, spas and hotel pool day passes. Many hotels offer summer staycation deals. Save beaches and outdoor walks for early mornings or evenings after sunset.
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