Get your calendars out – exhilarating adventures, brunch and culture await.
Dubai’s weekend calendar is packed with reasons to head out, from a Vietnamese-Japanese tasting menu at Chôm Chôm to the return of Saffron’s party brunch. Black Coffee performs on Saturday, while Sunday pairs Blue’s anniversary concert with a guest-chef dinner at Jun’s. There is also time to try a new craft in Jumeirah or make the trip to Abu Dhabi for UFC 333 and Russell Peters. Here’s how to spend the weekend of 23 to 25 October.
Friday 23 October 2026
Get creative at The Workshop Dubai
Swap screen time for a paintbrush at The Workshop Dubai, where a beige and gold patina class offers a creative way to spend Friday afternoon. Set inside a Jumeirah villa, the guided session explores texture, gilding and decorative finishes, helping participants produce a metallic artwork of their own. Interior designer and instructor Zahra leads the class in English, introducing the techniques behind the patina effect and guiding guests through the process. Materials are supplied, and the finished piece is yours to take home. AED 199.50 per person.
Where: The Workshop Dubai, Villa 45, Street 23B, Jumeirah
When: Friday 23 October 2026 from 3pm to 5pm
Contact: www.theworkshopdubai.com
Explore Vietnamese and Japanese flavours
Vietnamese flavours meet Japanese technique as Chôm Chôm hosts the second and final evening of its collaboration with REIF Japanese Kushiyaki. Chefs Kelvin Ng and Reif Othman have devised an eight-course menu that gives both kitchens room to express their individual styles. Crispy prawns with ginger fish caramel, grilled lamb lúc lắc and prawn-stuffed crispy chicken wings are among the dishes to look forward to. The closing courses change with the host venue, so Friday’s dinner finishes with fragrant beef pho broth followed by mango pudding with pandan jelly, pomelo and passion fruit ice. AED 388 per person.
Where: Chôm Chôm, Galleria Mall, Al Barsha, Dubai
When: Friday 23 October 2026 from 6.30pm
Contact: www.chomchom.ae
Catch The Synaptik live at Helipad
Arabic hip-hop takes centre stage at Helipad by Frozen Cherry as The Synaptik headlines the latest Late Knights session. The Palestinian-Jordanian rapper pairs candid storytelling with sharp lyricism, moving between melodic passages and harder beats. Known for tracks such as “Al Qamar Wal Moheet”, he draws listeners into songs that balance personal reflection with the energy of contemporary Arab rap. The open-air setting offers a chance to hear one of the region’s distinctive voices as Dubai’s outdoor music calendar gathers pace. Tickets from AED 190.
Where: Helipad by Frozen Cherry, Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City
When: Friday 23 October 2026 at 8pm
Contact: http://platinumlist.net
Saturday 24 October 2026
Join the party at Saffron Brunch
Saturday afternoons at Atlantis, The Palm are back in party mode as Saffron relaunches its brunch with a new look and an expanded entertainment programme. More than 17 food and beverage stations cover everything from sushi and oysters to Peking duck, paella and roasted meats. Save room for dessert, where an interactive ice cream station, croissant cones and a chocolate fountain await. Away from the buffet, a resident DJ, saxophonist, roller dancers and an interactive MC keep the afternoon moving. This is one for groups who like their brunch with plenty of entertainment and a busy dance floor. AED 525 (house beverages), AED 575 (sparkling wine) or AED 775 (Champagne).
Where: Saffron, Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm
Contact: www.atlantis.com
Watch UFC 333 at Etihad Arena
Make it a night of action as Abu Dhabi Showdown Week brings mixed martial arts to Etihad Arena. At the top of the UFC 333 card, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his title against undefeated No. 1-ranked contender Movsar Evloev. The co-main event is another championship clash, with bantamweight champion Petr Yan facing No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili for the third time. Whether you follow the sport closely or want to experience an arena fight night, Yas Island provides the setting for an eventful Saturday.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday, 24 October 2026
Contact: www.etihadarena.ae
Dance under the stars with Black Coffee
Dubai’s outdoor party season steps up a gear as Black Coffee opens the third season of Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience. The South African DJ and producer returns with the deep, soulful rhythms and African percussion that have made him a major name in electronic music. He is a familiar presence at the waterfront venue, having played headline shows here in both 2024 and 2025. This time, a new visual production accompanies the music, adding another dimension to the harbour setting. AED 295 per person.
Where: Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience, Dubai Harbour, Dubai
When: Saturday, 24 October 2026 at 8pm
Contact: http://platinumlist.net
Sunday 25 October 2026
Discover Egyptian flavours at Jun’s
Egyptian culinary heritage takes a fresh direction at Jun’s, where Kelvin Cheung welcomes Khufu’s chef Mostafa Seif for a one-night collaboration. Ranked eighth and first respectively on MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026, the two restaurants share an interest in telling stories through food. The tasting menu pairs Seif’s Egyptian influences with Cheung’s Third Culture cooking, moving from Hamachi Koshari with tomato water to a Ta’ameya Sandwich with pastrami. Molokhia Dumplings combine wagyu beef and prawn, while Nile Perch arrives with black baba ghanoush. AED 550 per person.
Where: Jun’s, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
When: Sunday 25 October 2026 from 5pm
Contact: www.junsdubai.com
Partner Listing: Laugh out loud with Russell Peters
Make a Sunday detour to Abu Dhabi for an evening with Russell Peters, who returns to Etihad Arena as part of Abu Dhabi Comedy Season. The Canadian stand-up has built an international following through observational humour, cultural commentary and a quick response to whatever the audience sends his way. Family life, relationships and travel supply familiar material, while spontaneous crowd interaction gives each performance its own rhythm. If you have watched his specials, including Outsourced and Deported, this is an opportunity to see that approach unfold live. Tickets from AED 275.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Sunday, 25 October 2026 at 6:30pm
Contact: https://platinumlist.net
Partner Listing: Revisit 25 years of hits with Blue
Twenty-five years after their debut, Blue are heading to Expo City Dubai for an anniversary concert celebrating the songs that defined their rise. Original members Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe take the stage with a catalogue that includes “All Rise”, “One Love” and “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”. The show also makes room for newer material from Reflections, including “One Last Time” and “Waste My Love”. With vocal harmonies at the centre of their sound, the British group offer a nostalgic Sunday evening for anyone who grew up with their music. Tickets from AED 299.
Where: Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre, Expo City Dubai
When: Sunday 25 October 2026 at 8pm
Contact: http://platinumlist.net