Updated: 20 May 2026 — covering the weekend of Friday 22 to Sunday 25 May 2026 In this guide, you’ll find the best Things to Do in Dubai this weekend and beyond.
This page is updated every week with what’s actually happening in Dubai. Not a recycled list of tourist attractions — real events, current deals, and things worth leaving the house for.
Dubai doesn’t slow down in May. The weather is warming up, which means rooftops and indoor venues are hitting their stride, outdoor festivals are in their final weeks before summer shuts them down, and a few seriously good live events are landing this particular weekend. Here’s everything worth knowing.
Live Music & Shows This Weekend
Short+Sweet Theatre Festival — Red Carpet Gala Final
Saturday 23 May | New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates
Dubai’s biggest little theatre festival wraps up its 14th edition with the Red Carpet Gala Final on Saturday night. After six weeks of 10-minute plays written, directed, and performed entirely by local talent — 250+ artists, 66 original productions — the shortlisted finalists compete for Best Play, Best Director, and Best Actor. The audience votes. It’s genuinely good, and it’s been running to packed houses all season.
Tickets via Platinumlist. New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates.
Lulu Santos at Dubai Opera
Saturday 23 May | Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai
Brazilian pop legend Lulu Santos performs at Dubai Opera on Saturday night. If you know the name, you already know whether this is for you. If you don’t, he’s sold out arenas across Latin America for four decades. Tickets available via Dubai Opera’s website.
MRAK at HIVE — Soho Garden
Saturday 23 May | Soho Garden, Meydan
MRAK takes the decks at HIVE inside Soho Garden on Saturday. One of the cleaner bookings in the city this month — Soho Garden’s sound system and production are worth the night alone. Book through their website or Platinumlist for table reservations.
Jaden Thompson at The Penthouse — FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Saturday 23 May, from 10:00 PM | FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Late-night live performance at The Penthouse from 10 pm. FIVE Palm’s rooftop venue with the Palm views. Walk-ins are taken, but reservations are recommended at weekends.
Friday Brunch — What’s Worth Your Money This Week
Friday brunch is still the week’s main event for most of Dubai. A few that are consistently good and currently running:
Ibn AlBahr — Evening Seafood Brunch
Al Seef (Dubai Creek location). Every Friday from 8 pm to 11 pm. Lebanese seafood — good value in a proper waterfront setting. Priced from Dhs200 (soft drinks), Dhs250 (house beverages), Dhs300 (premium). Walk along the Creek after, obviously.
Tiger Brunch — SO/ Uptown Dubai (The Citronelle Club)
Every Friday, 8 pm–11 pm. Three hours of Asian and French-inspired sharing dishes to a live DJ. Uptown Dubai is one of the more underrated venues in the city for a Friday — not the usual suspects.
Ammos — Greek Mediterranean
Every Friday, 8 pm–11 pm. Priced from AED 350 per person. Ammos does Friday brunch properly — loud, social, food that’s actually worth eating.
Dubai Restaurant Week Brunches
Running through to 31 May, Restaurant Week set menus are available across 100+ restaurants at Dhs125 (two-course lunch) or Dhs250 (three-course dinner). Participating venues include Zuma, Pierchic, Akira Back, Bread Street Kitchen, and more than 30 MICHELIN Guide-listed restaurants. Book exclusively via Careem DineOut.
Nightlife: Club Nights & Rooftops
Bohemia at FIVE Palm — Beach Day/Night
Bohemia is running events on Saturday, 23 May. Beach day passes cost AED 100 and are fully redeemable for food and beverages. One of the better beach club formats in the city for a May weekend — before summer makes the outdoor component unpleasant.
AURA Skypool — Palm Tower, 50th Floor
Not a party venue in the traditional sense, but worth mentioning as a Saturday option. The world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool is at 200 metres. It’s a proper Dubai experience and the view at sunset is what it is. Book a pool day slot in advance — they cap capacity.
Outdoor, Daytime & Family
The Great Outdoors Festival — Expo City Dubai
Running until 31 May | Expo City Dubai
This is the festival to do with kids before summer properly arrives. Based at Expo City, it features a large inflatable obstacle course, outdoor cinema nights, picnic spaces, games, and a range of outdoor dining options. It’s part of the Al Wasl Season programming, and it’s a proper day out — not a glorified market. Running until the end of May, so this is one of the final weekends.
Al Mamzar Beach — Reopened with Major Upgrades
Open daily | Al Mamzar, Deira
Al Mamzar Beach reopened on 5 May with a significant upgrade, including what is described as the world’s first 24/7 women-only beach with night swimming, a floating walkway at Al Mamzar Lagoon, water sport facilities, play areas for children, and cycling and jogging tracks. If you haven’t been since the reopening, this weekend is a good excuse. Morning sessions are the practical choice for late May temperatures.
Dubai Safari Park — Final Weeks Before Summer Closure
Closes 31 May | Dubai Safari Park, Al Warqa
Dubai Safari Park closes for the summer season at the end of May. Two-for-one safari bundle tickets are available now, making this one of the better family deals in the city this weekend. The park has over 3,000 animals across 78 mammal species — it’s a full day. Go in the morning.
Dining Deals Running This Weekend
Dubai Restaurant Week is extended through 31 May — it’s currently Dubai’s single best-value dining offer. Two-course lunches at Dhs125, three-course dinners at Dhs250, at more than 100 restaurants, including some of the city’s best. Notable names still available include Zuma, Pierchic, Akira Back, Bread Street Kitchen, Girl & the Goose, Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, and City Social. Book via Careem DineOut.
Amazónico Dubai — 25% off brunch through the end of May.
clap Dubai — 30% off original brunch prices on Saturdays.
Good to Know Before You Go
Getting around: RTA Nol cards work on Metro, bus, and water taxis. The Palm Monorail connects Atlantis to the Metro at Mall of the Emirates via the Palm. Metered taxis and Careem are the easiest options for direct late-night journeys.
Dress code: Dubai’s club and restaurant dress code is smart casual by default. Rooftop venues, Dubai Opera, and upscale brunches expect smart dress. Beach clubs are obviously beach attire, but cover up on the way in and out of hotel properties.
Temperatures in late May: Daytime highs around 38–42°C. Outdoor activities are best done before 10 am or after 7 pm. Pool and beach venues peak at sunset.
Reservations: Most Friday brunches require booking, especially during Restaurant Week. Walk-ins are possible at some venues, but not recommended for popular spots on a Saturday night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s on in Dubai this weekend?
This weekend (May 23–25) highlights include the Short+Sweet Theatre Gala Final at Mall of the Emirates, Lulu Santos at Dubai Opera, and the Great Outdoors Festival at Expo City Dubai. See the full breakdown above.
Is Dubai Restaurant Week still on?
Yes — Dubai Restaurant Week has been extended and runs until 31 May 2026. Dhs125 lunch and Dhs250 dinner set menus at 100+ restaurants. Book via Careem DineOut.
What are the best Friday brunches in Dubai right now?
Ibn AlBahr at Al Seef (from Dhs200), Tiger Brunch at SO/ Uptown Dubai, and Ammos are all currently running. Restaurant Week set menus are also an option at dozens of venues through 31 May.
What’s the best thing to do in Dubai with kids this weekend?
The Great Outdoors Festival at Expo City Dubai is the pick for families this weekend — inflatable course, outdoor cinema, and picnic spaces. Dubai Safari Park is also a strong option, with two-for-one tickets available before it closes for the summer on 31 May.
What beach clubs are open in Dubai in May?
Bohemia at FIVE Palm (events on Saturday), AURA Skypool at Palm Tower (book in advance) are operating this weekend. Full outdoor beach club season winds down in summer — most venues shift emphasis to indoor and rooftop spaces from June onwards.
What’s Hot in UAE publishes this guide every week.
Last updated: Wednesday 20 May 2026