Get your calendars out – exhilarating adventures, brunch and culture await.
It’s the start of a new week, which means new things to do in Dubai. The days ahead cover everything from comforting bowls of Vietnamese pho to hands-on rug making, quick-fire improv and Japanese kushiyaki. As the weekend arrives, attention turns to a cinematic symphony and an arena-sized celebration of Punjabi music. Whether you are planning a midweek meal, trying something new or searching for weekend inspiration, these are the best things to do in Dubai this September.
Monday 7 September
Visit the Jun’s and Alee collaboration dinner
Chef Kelvin Cheung will welcome Chef Ali Ghzawi of Amman’s Alee for a one-night collaboration dinner at Jun’s on Monday, 7 September. Priced at AED 350 per person, the five-course family-style menu will bring together Cheung’s Third Culture cooking and Cantonese roots with Ghzawi’s contemporary Levantine approach. Highlights include hummus with miso, kubbeh nayyeh, arayes with chilli jam, dolma with Hokkaido scallop, Mapo Maqluba with wagyu and house-made tofu, and Omani prawn Typhoon Shelter. Desserts include mistika muhalabiyeh and Palestinian olive oil ice cream. The dinner begins at 6pm, with limited à la carte options also available.
Where: Jun’s, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
When: Monday, 7 September 2026 from 6pm
Contact: www.junsdubai.com
Tuesday 8 September
Slurp Your Way Through Pho Tuesdays
Tuesday calls for something comforting, and Chôm Chôm has just the bowl. The colourful Vietnamese restaurant at Galleria Mall Al Barsha channels the casual energy of Saigon and Hanoi with Pho Tuesdays, serving its selection of noodle soups for AED 50 each. Choose the Beef Short Rib Pho, loaded with slow-cooked meat and aromatic spices, or opt for the lighter Cornfed Chicken version. Vegetarians are covered too, with a kombu-based broth layered with seasonal vegetables, tofu, lemongrass oil and crispy garlic. Casual, warming and easy on the wallet, it is an appealing midweek option for anyone craving the flavours of Vietnam without leaving Al Barsha.
Where: Chôm Chôm, Galleria Mall, Al Barsha 2, Dubai
When: Tuesdays from 5pm
Contact: www.chomchom.ae
Wednesday 9 September
Get Creative at Tufting Time
Swap screens for something more tactile with a creative session at Tufting Time. Located on the ground floor of Town Centre Jumeirah, the colourful studio introduces beginners to the surprisingly addictive art of rug making. Participants can design their own rug, wall hanging or decorative piece before learning how to operate a tufting gun under the guidance of the studio’s instructors. From choosing colours and tracing a design to filling, trimming and finishing the creation, the process turns a few hours of crafting into something you can actually take home. No previous experience is required, making this an easy midweek activity for friends, couples or anyone looking to try a new creative pursuit. From AED 150 per person.
Where: Tufting Time, Town Centre Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai
When: Daily from 10am to 10pm
Contact: https://tuftingtime.com
Thursday 10 September
Laugh Out Loud at Karak After Dark
Forget rehearsed punchlines. Karak After Dark Vol. 3 puts the audience in charge when it returns to The Junction at Alserkal Avenue. Presented by Tall Tales Productions, the popular improv show is back with a Back to School edition built around spontaneous sketches, characters and scenarios. Performers take suggestions from the crowd and transform them into scenes on the spot, so no two shows are ever quite the same. The result is fast, unpredictable and rooted in the kind of observational humour that Dubai audiences can instantly relate to. After successful previous editions, the third instalment offers a lively way to start the weekend in the heart of Al Quoz’s arts district. AED 89 per person.
Where: The Junction, Warehouse 72, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai
When: Thursday, 10 September 2026 at 8pm
Contact: https://www.district.ae
Friday 11 September
Celebrate Kushi No Hi at REIF Japanese Kushiyaki
Chef Reif Othman is turning one Japanese food celebration into a month-long reason to visit Dubai Hills. Kushi No Hi, or Skewer Day, traditionally falls on 4 September, a playful reference to the Japanese pronunciations of nine (ku) and four (shi). The FACT award-winning REIF Japanese Kushiyaki is marking the occasion with a limited-edition set inspired by four regions of Japan. The menu journeys from Kagoshima Satsuma wagyu and Fukuoka chicken with mentaiko mayo to Hokkaido scallop and hamachi finished with burnt garlic yuzu butter. Nagano asparagus with sesame dressing completes the quartet. It is a compact showcase of charcoal-fired cooking synonymous with chef Reif Othman’s homegrown restaurant. AED 178 per person.
Where: REIF Japanese Kushiyaki, Dubai Hills Business Park, Dubai Hills
When: Daily until 30 September 2026, from 12pm to midnight
Contact: https://reifkushiyaki.com
Saturday 12 September
Experience A Cinematic Symphony
Some of cinema’s most recognisable music moves from screen to stage when Reel to Real: A Cinematic Symphony arrives at The New Covent Garden Theatre. The UAE Philharmonic Orchestra will perform under the direction of Nicolas Mann, joined by vocalists Clarita de Quiroz and Amanda Maalouf for an evening devoted to the emotional power of film music. The programme journeys through sweeping romances, epic adventures and memorable cinematic themes, allowing audiences to hear familiar scores performed by a full orchestra. For movie lovers, classical music fans or anyone seeking a more cultured Saturday night, this promises an impressive showcase inside Dubai’s newest theatre. Tickets start from AED 195.
Where: New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai
When: Saturday, 12 September 2026 at 8pm
Contact: https://dubai.platinumlist.net
Sunday 13 September
See Jasmine Sandlas Live in Dubai
End the week on a high as Jasmine Sandlas takes over Coca-Cola Arena with The Dream Girl Tour. The Punjabi singer and songwriter has built a global following through her distinctive vocals, bold personality and a catalogue spanning Punjabi pop and Bollywood. Fans will know her from tracks including “Illegal Weapon” and “Yaar Na Miley,” while her recent releases have introduced her to an even wider audience. Her Dubai show promises high-energy production, choreography and special Gulabi fan moments celebrating the community that has followed her career. Tickets start from AED 149.
Where: Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Al Safa, Dubai
When: Sunday, 13 September 2026 at 8pm
Contact: http://platinumlist.net