The FACT UAE Weekend Guide: 29 to 31 December
A new weekend in Dubai brings bombastic brunches and lavish New Year’s Eve celebrations.
It’s time to bid adieu to 2023 and usher in the New Year, but before we do, there’s one more weekend of brunches and live performances to be enjoyed in Dubai. 2024 – we’re ready for you!
Friday 29 December
Party like a celebrity at Miss Lily’s
Make like Kanye West or FACT’s editor-in-chief and head to the Jamaican hotspot Miss Lily’s for dinner and drinks. The restaurant exudes a lively, colourful vibe that transports diners to the sunny Caribbean islands. Expect pumping tunes encompassing the best of Afro, Caribbean, Hip-Hop, and R&B alongside signature dishes like Curry Goat Stew and Jerk Chicken. If it’s good enough for the likes of Chris Brown and Tion Wayne, it’s good enough for us.
GO: Visit www.misslilys.com for reservations and more information.
See Tyga live at Zero Gravity
Born Michael Nguyen-Stevenson, Tyga has managed to navigate the hip-hop industry with a winning combination of hustle and catchy hooks. Emerging from the streets of Compton, California, the rapper will headline the Hip-Hop Beach Festival at Zero Gravity this weekend. Tyga has worked with Chris Brown, Lil’ Wayne and Nicki Minaj, and his recent hits include Ayy Macarena, Sheikh Talk and Vacation. Tickets start from AED 199 for general standing, AED 299 for fan pit access, and AED 399 for VIP.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Party with Quavo at Blu Dubai
BLU Dubai continues to captivate the city’s nightlife scene with its run of celebrity shows. Busta Rhymes, J Hus, Jadakiss, Kanye West, M Huncho and YG have all recently performed at the venue in recent weeks. This weekend, you can see Quavious Keyate Marshall, better known as Quavo, at the nightclub on the 32nd floor of V Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton. The rapper rose to fame as the frontman of Migos. In 2013, their breakout hit, Versace, catapulted them into the mainstream thanks to Quavo’s signature triplet flow. The group’s chart-topping singles include Bad and Boujee, MotorSport, and Walk It Talk It. Quavo released his debut solo album in 2018, featuring collaborations with Drake, Lil’ Wayne and Travis Scott.
GO: Visit https://clubbludubai.com for reservations and more information.
Saturday 30 December
Attend a vision board workshop
Society Dubai has teamed up with the motivational speaker Ira Poladka and the creative mind behind the Mira Vision Board for a vision board workshop this weekend. This three-hour workshop offers a guided session by Poladka, where attendees will craft vision boards to represent their aspirations for the year ahead. Participants can also enjoy a breakfast buffet with free-flowing beverages. Saturday 30 December, from 11am to 2pm. AED 330 per person.
GO: Visit www.societyuae.com for reservations and more information.
Visit Canteen X
As a fresh addition to the Dubai Shopping Festival, Canteen X is set to bring a taste of Dubai to Mushrif Park. This innovative dining pop-up promises great food from Alien Burger, Boba Bae, BRGRS, Choco Fondue, Chunk Bakehouse, CRMBZ, House of Pops, Infuso Coffee and PizzaExpress. Families will also be delighted with activities, including bungee experiences, inflatables, trampolines and an outdoor cinema. Available daily until 30 December.
GO: Follow @celebratedubai on Instagram for more information.
See Sean Paul & T.I. at Coca-Cola Arena
Summer may be over, but with hits like Temperature and We Be Burnin under his belt, Sean Paul will bring the heat when he performs at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena this weekend. The Jamaican artist is known for his infectious rhythms, charismatic stage presence and the international hit singles Gimme The Light and Get Busy. Sean Paul will be joined by American rapper T.I., who is known for his ability to seamlessly switch between conscious rap and club bangers on tracks like Live Your Life, Swagga Like Us and Whatever You Like.
GO: Visit coca-cola-arena.com for tickets and more information.
Sunday 31 December
Visit Dubai’s hottest new restaurant
Dani Garcia’s Leña is now open at St. Regis Gardens. Usher in the new year at the restaurant’s bonfire-themed soirée, where captivating flames, front-row views of Palm Jumeirah’s fireworks and an exceptional culinary journey await. There will also be live entertainment featuring dancers, a DJ, fire performers, and a live band. Sunday 31 December, from 8:30pm to midnight. AED 2,000 per person (minimum spend for indoor seating) and AED 2,500 per person (minimum spend for outdoor seating).
GO: Visit https://grupodanigarcia.com for more information.
Dine at Dinner By Heston Blumenthal
Celebrate the arrival of the New Year at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. The FACT Award-winning restaurant offers an immersive dining experience, drawing inspiration from the tastes and flavours of Britain, spanning back to the 13th century—from the rustic farmers’ table to the opulent royal courts of England. Indulge in an exquisite set menu that includes Heston’s iconic creations, such as the Meat Fruit (c.1500), Beef Royal (c.1821), and the acclaimed Tipsy Cake (c.1858). Sunday 31 December, from 7pm to 12:30am. AED 2,950 per person or AED 35,000 for the private dining room (for up to 12 guests).
GO: Visit www.atlantis.com for reservations and more information.
Spend New Year’s Eve at a FACT Award winner
Celebrate the arrival of 2024 with GAIA’s elegant New Year’s Eve event, promising a spectacular evening inspired by the Athens Riviera. Immerse yourself in the chic and elegant atmosphere reminiscent of the pine-clad peninsula and crystal-clear Mediterranean waters while indulging in the a la carte menu from Chef Izu Ani. After dinner, enter the new year at NYX, where a Cyclades-inspired party awaits with a live DJ set. Sunday 31 December, from 6:30pm.
GO: Email reservations@gaia-dubai.com or call 04 241 4242 for reservations and more information.
