Here are some of the most exciting ways to enjoy the weekend before the New Year.
It’s almost time to bid adieu to 2025 and usher in the New Year, but before we do, there’s one more weekend of fun to be enjoyed. 2026 – we’re almost ready for you!
Friday 26 December
Caffeinate at Subko
Subko Coffee Roasters & Bakehouse has officially opened its first UAE outpost at Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue. Subko Dubai is designed as an immersive experience centre where microlot coffee, fresh sourdough loaves, buttery croissants, and fine cacao from the Indian Subcontinent sit alongside storytelling, design, and craft in full view. Subko Dubai unfolds across two levels. On the ground floor, ‘The Craftery’ sets the tone with a concept store-style journey through Subko’s world of speciality coffee beans, bean-to-bar chocolate, and in-house designed merchandise. Upstairs, the mezzanine level is home to ‘Quoz Quarters’, the brand’s speciality café. Built like a winding, discoverable maze of themed rooms, it nods to Subko’s Bombay roots while affectionately localising the experience for its new home.
GO: Follow @subkouae on Instagram for more information.
Visit Winter District
Emirates Towers presents its annual Winter District once again this Christmas. Nestled on the terrace, visitors can immerse themselves in a variety of Festive delights, including gourmet food and beverages, handcrafted treasures, and artisanal gifts. Adorned with enchanting decorations and a forest of Christmas trees, the venue hosts a range of activities, including carnival games, a carousel, snowball-fighting areas, and live music. Available daily, from 13 to 28 December.
GO: Visit www.winterdistrict.com for more information.
Enjoy seasonal sips at Lady Bird
Inspired by the lucky ladybird, with rich tones, soft textures and intimate corners made for lingering, Lady Bird has officially opened at 25 Jump Street. The drinks programme leads the experience, built around seven signature “archetypes” (a nod to the ladybird’s spots): Bloom, Velour, Arrow, Hearth, Eclipse, Crown and Oracle. On the food side, Lady Bird pairs the cocktails with comfort-driven plates, including Tuna Carpaccio with Raspberry Vinegar, Salmon Tartare with Avocado Mousse and Lemon Caviar, Artichoke Dip with Toasted Sourdough, sliders, Fried Brie with Cranberry Jam, Shrimp Tempura with Yuzu Miso Mayo, and larger plates like a Lobster Roll with Yuzukosho Mayo and a Niçoise Salad. Reimagined classics and seasonal Minitinis round out the menu.
GO: Follow @ladybirddubai on Instagram for more information.
Saturday 27 December
Check out the new look Nammos
Nammos Dubai has reopened with a full redesign, reimagining its restaurant and beach club as a sleek, sun-drenched escape. The refreshed beachfront introduces Riva boat-inspired cabanas and tanning beds, plus a revamped beach bar with a purpose-built DJ booth that shifts the vibe from laidback afternoons to music-led nights with live entertainment. A new menu caters to refined seaside dining, pairing Mediterranean flavours with Japanese and Asian influences. Highlights include the Crudo Bar and returning favourites such as Grilled Octopus, Lobster Linguine, Lamb Kleftiko, and premium Wagyu and Kobe cuts. Behind the bar, expect inventive pours from the feta-infused Hidden Guilt to the Nammos Spritz and tequila-led Red Desert.
GO: Visit www.nammos.com for more information.
Have a laugh at Pepperoni Comedy Club
Pepperoni is closing out the year by welcoming French powerhouse Redouane Bougheraba for five exclusive nights this December. Expect sharp observations, bold humour, and a Mediterranean edge delivered with rapid-fire improvisation and a high-voltage stage presence that has made him a sell-out name across Europe and a viral hit online. If you like your comedy unfiltered, fast, and unapologetically charismatic, this is the one to book. Available on 22, 23, 27, 28, and 29 December at 8:30pm. Tickets from AED 400.
GO: Email book@pepperonicomedyclub.ae for more information.
Dance the night away at Ushuaïa Dubai
Party people of Dubai, mark your calendars because Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee is making his triumphant return to Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience. For the unversed, Black Coffee is no stranger to Dubai. The South African DJ and producer is celebrated for his unique fusion of house music with soulful elements, African rhythms, organic electronics, jazz influences, and evocative vocals, earning his signature style the name “Afropolitan House.” Black Coffee has also collaborated with global superstars such as Alicia Keys, Drake, Pharrell Williams, and David Guetta.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Sunday 28 December
Try the new menu at ABC
ABC Coffee Roasters has launched a new Winter Menu that pairs Japanese depth with Scandinavian simplicity. Rooted in Japandi principles, the seasonal collection focuses on clean flavours, thoughtful technique, and comforting dishes with subtle surprises. Expect Scandinavian Breakfast Plates with soft-boiled eggs, furikake, sourdough and berry jam, a fresh garden salad with yuzu dressing, plus winter desserts including Apple Tarte Tatin and Ricotta Cheesecake with berry compote. The drinks lean into tea and soft aromatics, from the nutty Hojicha Blondie Latte with roasted white chocolate sauce to the lightly sparkling Cucumber Shiso Lemonade made with sencha cold brew.
GO: Follow @abc.roasters.uae on Instagram for more information.
Have lunch at Bar des Prés
Bar des Prés has launched a refined Sunday Lunch on the 51st floor of ICD Brookfield Place, pairing panoramic city views with Chef Cyril Lignac’s signature Franco–East Asian cuisine. Served sharing-style, the menu begins with a choice of Salmon and Avocado Hand Rolls, Yellowtail Carpaccio, Tuna Tartare, or Fine de Claire oysters. Mains range from steamed Chilean Sea Bass with Thai broth and Langoustine Ravioli with green Sichuan pepper to Chicken Yakitori, a Wagyu Smash Burger, and Japanese-style Fried Rice with soy-marinated egg. Sharing plates add crunch and heat, including Crab and Avocado Galette, Miso-caramelised Asparagus, Crispy Prawns, and Beef Gyoza. Desserts are made for the table, from vanilla chouquettes and apple tart to dark chocolate mousse and iced mochis. Available on Sundays from 12pm to 3pm. AED 240 per person.
GO: Visit www.bardespres.com for more information.
Watch Battle of the Sexes
Dubai is set for a headline tennis showdown as two of the game’s most talked-about stars meet across the net. Inspired by the famous 1973 showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, this modern edition aims to channel that cultural flashpoint for a new generation. Battle of the Sexes: The Dubai Showdown will take place for one night only at the Coca-Cola Arena, seeing WTA World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka face Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios.
GO: Visit https://coca-cola-arena.com for more information.
