Updated: 5 August 2026 — covering the weekend of Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August 2026. In this guide, you’ll find the best things to do in Dubai this weekend and beyond.
This page is updated regularly 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.
August in Dubai means one thing above all: Dubai Summer Surprises is in full swing, running right through to 30 August, with mall-wide offers, family entertainment, and bargain dining deals across the city. It’s peak indoor-and-air-conditioned season — rooftops and beach clubs take a back seat to malls, soft plays, and late-night dining. Here’s what’s actually worth your weekend.
Live Music & Shows This Weekend
Al Shami — Dubai World Trade Centre
Friday 8 August | Dubai World Trade Centre
Syrian superstar Al Shami performs at Dubai World Trade Centre on Friday night — one of the bigger regional concert bookings of the month. Check Platinumlist for ticket availability.
SB Girls Reunion — Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Friday 8 August, doors 6:00 PM, show 7:00 PM | Etihad Arena, Yas Bay
A short drive from Dubai if you’re up for it: SB Girls play a reunion show at Etihad Arena on Yas Bay. Worth the trip for a proper arena night out.
Dubai Summer Surprises: The Deals Actually Worth Using
Dubai Summer Surprises 2026 runs 3 July – 30 August, with government-backed offers across malls, restaurants, and family attractions. The standout for this weekend is the return of Dhs10 dishes — a city-wide bargain-bites promotion running from Monday 3 August through Sunday 30 August, with participating restaurants offering menu items at Dhs10. Expect mall-wide retail offers and live performances at Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall through the rest of the month too.
Brunch & Dining This Weekend
Sexy Fish — Japanese-Inspired Saturday Brunch
Saturdays, 12:30pm–4pm. Glowing bars, coral-like floors, and rooftop views of the Burj Khalifa — one of the more stylish Saturday brunch options running right now.
Cioccolatitaliani — Dessert Brunch
An all-you-can-eat artisan gelato brunch with free-flowing Italian chocolate and a table of homemade pastries. A genuinely different brunch format if you’re brunched-out on the usual Friday format.
Family & Indoor Activities
Abracadabra — Al Quoz
A new soft play packed with climbing walls, football zones, ball pits, and a 360-degree immersive dome. Open Mon–Thu 10am–7pm, Fri–Sun 10am–8pm — a solid indoor option while the heat makes outdoor plans a non-starter.
Fitness Challenge — Hyphen, Al Quoz
Sunday 9 August, 8am–2pm. Ten workout zones with a run between each station, followed by complimentary contrast therapy — sauna and cold plunge included. A good option if you want your weekend to start early and active before the heat sets in.
Good to Know Before You Go
Getting around: RTA Nol cards work on Metro, bus, and water taxis. Metered taxis and Careem remain the easiest option for direct late-night journeys, especially to Abu Dhabi venues.
Dress code: Dubai’s club and restaurant dress code is smart casual by default. Concert venues and rooftop dining expect smart dress.
Temperatures in August: Daytime highs regularly exceed 40°C with high humidity. Outdoor plans are best avoided altogether in favour of indoor venues, malls, and evening-only outings after sunset.
Reservations: Book Saturday brunches and concert tickets in advance — August’s indoor-heavy calendar means the good spots fill up fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s on in Dubai this weekend?
This weekend (7–9 August) highlights include Al Shami live at Dubai World Trade Centre, the SB Girls reunion show at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, and Dubai Summer Surprises deals running across the city. See the full breakdown above.
Is Dubai Summer Surprises still on?
Yes — Dubai Summer Surprises 2026 runs from 3 July to 30 August, with the Dhs10 dishes bargain-bites promotion running 3–30 August across participating restaurants.
What are the best brunches in Dubai right now?
Sexy Fish’s Japanese-inspired Saturday brunch and Cioccolatitaliani’s dessert brunch are both currently running and worth booking ahead.
What’s the best thing to do in Dubai with kids this weekend?
Abracadabra in Al Quoz is a strong indoor pick for families this August — climbing walls, ball pits, and an immersive dome, all air-conditioned.
Is it too hot to do anything outdoors in Dubai in August?
Largely yes. Daytime highs regularly exceed 40°C, so outdoor plans are best limited to early morning or after sunset. Most of this weekend’s picks are indoor or evening events for that reason.
What’s Hot in UAE publishes this guide regularly. Last updated: Wednesday 5 August 2026.
