Get your calendars out – exhilarating adventures, brunch and culture await.
October is here, and Dubai’s weekend diary is filling up nicely. Najwa Karam takes over Coca-Cola Arena, Jun’s serves a new tasting menu, and The Royal Tearoom puts a fragrant twist on afternoon tea. Elsewhere, there’s seaside yoga on Bluewaters Island, Arabic stand-up at Mall of the Emirates and a creative workshop with something to take home. Whether your ideal weekend revolves around a restaurant reservation or a change of scenery, here’s where to head this weekend.
Friday 2 October
See Najwa Karam live at Coca-Cola Arena
Najwa Karam takes centre stage at Coca-Cola Arena for an evening celebrating her distinctive voice and extensive Arabic music catalogue. Accompanied by a live orchestra conducted by Maestro Walid Fayed, the Lebanese singer will perform a selection of classics and contemporary favourites. With songs such as “Yelaan Elboaad”, “Hayda Haki”, “Khallini Shoufak” and “Maloun Abu Eleshq” among her best-known releases, there’s plenty for longtime fans to sing along to. The orchestral accompaniment adds another dimension to a concert built around Karam’s powerful vocals and commanding stage presence. Gather your fellow Arabic music fans and make this your Friday night plan. Tickets start from AED 150.
Where: Coca-Cola Arena, City Walk, Dubai
When: Friday, 2 October 2026 at 7.30pm
Contact: https://dubai.platinumlist.net
Discover a fragrance-inspired afternoon tea
The Royal Tearoom joins forces with Jo Malone London for Blooming with Purpose, an afternoon tea marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Served at Atlantis The Royal, the collaboration sees pastry chef Christophe Devoille translate the fragrance house’s signature scent notes into sweet and savoury creations. Spiced roast duck and peach and damask rose treats feature among the bites, making this an intriguing choice for anyone interested in the connections between aroma and flavour. The experience also includes a Jo Malone-scented surprise, a special keepsake, a handcrafted chocolate gift and a note directing guests to breast cancer awareness resources. Priced at AED 580 for two.
Where: The Royal Tearoom, Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Daily from 2pm to 5pm until 31 October 2026
Contact: www.atlantis.com
Explore Kelvin Cheung’s new tasting menu at Jun’s
Chef Kelvin Cheung draws on his Chinese heritage, classical training and life in the Middle East for Jun’s new 10-course tasting menu. His Third Culture Cooking approach takes shape in dishes including lobster pani puri, dry-aged sea bream with whipped bone broth butter and a course inspired by Chicago deep-dish pizza. Butter-poached king crab and mapo tofu made with fresh tofu also feature, giving diners plenty to discuss between courses. A complete vegetarian tasting menu offers its own interpretation of every course at this multiple FACT award-winning restaurant. Priced at AED 560 per person or AED 490 for the vegetarian menu.
Where: Jun’s, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
When: Daily from 12pm to 1am
Contact: www.junsdubai.com
Saturday 3 October
Start your Saturday with seaside yoga
Swap a Saturday lie-in for a morning by the sea at Banyan Tree Dubai. The Bluewaters Island resort has partnered with Samadhi Wellness for a wellbeing experience that combines movement, breakfast and time outdoors. Vanessa leads the opening vinyasa yoga session, giving guests a chance to stretch and settle into the day before heading to Japanese tea house Tocha for breakfast. With pool and beach access included, there’s no need to rush away once the session finishes. Pack your swimwear, clear the afternoon and turn a morning class into a full day at the resort. The experience starts at 8.30am and costs AED 370 per person.
Where: Banyan Tree Dubai, Bluewaters Island, Dubai
When: Saturday, 3 October 2026 at 8.30am
Contact: www.banyantree.com
Make an afternoon of brunch at The Fore
The Fore’s Saturday brunch gathers four restaurant concepts under one roof at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Umi Kei, Madame Li, Mirabelle and The Bombay Club by Chef Manav Tuli contribute Japanese, Pan-Asian, Mediterranean and modern Indian dishes, with marina and skyline views completing the setting. Work your way through hand-rolled sushi, freshly made dosa and pasta finished in a Parmesan wheel, alongside fresh oysters and tableside caviar service. Magnum Champagne service adds to the occasion, while Pierre Hermé Paris provides the sweet finale. Live music and children’s entertainment round out the afternoon. Packages start from AED 500 with soft drinks, AED 750 for premium and AED 350 for children.
Where: The Fore, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Umm Suqeim, Dubai
When: Saturday, 3 October 2026 from 1pm to 4pm
Contact: www.jumeirah.com
Dine at The Dish by Chef Sperxos
The Dish by Chef Sperxos at Depachika Food Hall, Palm Jumeirah Mall, is serving two new tasting platters made for sharing. Greek chef Alexandros Sperxos draws on his heritage for the venue’s Mediterranean menu. Meat Lovers features Wagyu teriyaki skewers with almond-crusted feta, beef medallions, chicken scallopini and lamb chops, alongside Greek salad and hand-cut fries. Seafood Lovers swaps turf for surf with kataifi prawns, zucchini balls, crispy calamari, chargrilled octopus, sea bass and salmon, accompanied by a garden mix salad. Both include a trio of signature spreads with warm pita, making this a generous excuse to gather around the table. Available now, each platter costs AED 299.
Where: The Dish, Depachika Food Hall, Palm Jumeirah Mall, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Daily from 9am to 10pm
Contact: https://thedish.ae
Sunday 4 October
Have a laugh at Omar El Gamal’s comedy show
Omar El Gamal heads to The New Covent Garden Theatre for a live Arabic comedy show shaped by the people in the room. Known for quick comebacks and spontaneous audience interaction, the comedian makes crowd work central to his performances, turning exchanges with spectators into material as the evening unfolds. That unscripted approach means the audience helps determine where the show goes, with plenty of opportunities for unexpected tangents. For Arabic-speaking comedy fans, it’s a lively way to close the weekend with friends. Doors open at 9pm, and tickets start from AED 150.
Where: The New Covent Garden Theatre, Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha, Dubai
When: Sunday, 4 October 2026 at 9pm
Contact: http://platinumlist.net
Give your tote bag a personal touch at Tashkeel
Put your Sunday creativity to work at Tashkeel’s tote bag workshop in Nad Al Sheba. Led by instructor Bassem Boules, the hands-on session invites participants to customise a bag using colourful fabric stickers and decorative designs. Experiment with placement, colour combinations and composition as you arrange the elements into something that reflects your personal style. The appeal is in making the everyday feel a little more individual, with a finished tote to take home and use afterwards. Choose between morning and afternoon sessions, depending on how the rest of your Sunday is shaping up. Each two-hour workshop costs AED 90 per person.
Where: Tashkeel, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai
When: Sunday, 4 October 2026 from 10am to 12pm or 2pm to 4pm
Contact: https://tashkeel.org
Linger over Sunday breakfast at The Bay
Breakfast stretches into the afternoon at The Bay, where Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai’s Sunday experience offers a leisurely way to end the weekend. Despite the All-Day Breakfast name, the spread goes well beyond morning staples, with French Mediterranean dishes including Dover Sole Meunière, a Wagyu Steak Sandwich and Ox Cheek Bourguignon. Breakfast favourites also feature, while French Toast Tiramisu provides a suitably indulgent finish. The resort setting lends itself to an unhurried gathering, so book with friends or family and leave time to explore the selection. The experience is priced at AED 255 per adult and AED 195 for children.
Where: The Bay, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Every Sunday from 12.30pm to 4pm
Contact: www.mandarinoriental.com