Get your calendars out – exhilarating adventures, brunch and culture await.
If you thought the UAE was quiet in October, think again! Dubai is filled with exciting things to do this weekend. Global Village returns for its 31st season, while Moonrise and Jun’s offer fresh reasons to book a table. Natsuko Shoji joins the chefs at TakaHisa for a special collaboration, and Vir Das takes to the stage for Dubai Comedy Festival.
Friday 16 October 2026
Settle in for lunch at Pepperoni Comedy Club
Ease into the weekend with a three-course lunch at Pepperoni Comedy Club on 25 Jump Street. The menu lets you choose a starter, main and dessert, with options ranging from vitello tonnato and Niçoise 2.0 to Roman tomato bruschetta with burrata. For the main event, tuck into a chicken burger with crispy veal bacon, Detroit Margherita pizza or rigatoni alla Norma. Finish with lemon soft-serve and strawberries, a chocolate brownie with caramelised pecans and vanilla gelato, or tiramisu. AED 105 per person.
Where: Pepperoni Comedy Club, 25 Jump Street, Trade Centre, Dubai
When: Monday to Friday from 12pm to 3pm
Contact: https://pepperonicomedyclub.ae
Revisit Dubai’s Flavours at Moonrise
Dubai’s street-food memories take a different form at the FACT award-winning Moonrise, where chef Solemann Haddad’s latest 12-course menu explores Middle Eastern flavours through ingredients from further afield. Familiar favourites include the OG Moonrise Grilled Cheese, made with Hokkaido milk bread, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, black garlic and truffle. New additions include Spicy Shima Aji and A5 Miyazaki Wagyu “Shawarma”, while Moonrise Khubz pairs charcoal bread with organic Liwa dates and brown miso. Served at the rooftop restaurant in Eden House, the experience combines personal references with a particular attention to sauces. AED 995 per person.
Where: Moonrise, Eden House, Al Satwa, Dubai
When: Tuesday to Saturday at 6pm and 9.30pm
Contact: www.moon-rise.xyz
Partner Listing: Dine under the stars at Nayara
Fashion finds a place at the table at Nayara, where contemporary Levantine dining meets the creative vision of Emirati couturier Hamda Al Fahim. Located at One&Only Royal Mirage, the restaurant features a bespoke wall and staff apparel designed by Al Fahim, extending her craftsmanship beyond the runway. Femininity, warmth and storytelling inform the setting, while the dining concept draws on the generosity and conviviality associated with Levantine culture. The result is a restaurant that celebrates Middle Eastern creativity through both its food and design, offering a distinctly Dubai interpretation of regional hospitality with an emphasis on gathering around the table.
Where: Nayara, One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh, Dubai
When: Daily from 6pm to 1am
Contact: www.oneandonlyresorts.com
Saturday 17 October 2026
Experience Natsuko Shoji’s Cooking at TakaHisa
A coveted Tokyo dining experience arrives on Bluewaters this weekend as TakaHisa welcomes Natsuko Shoji, chef-owner of invitation-only été and Asia’s Best Female Chef 2022. Joining executive chefs Takashi Namekata and Hisao Ueda, Shoji will help create a special omakase menu for a two-day collaboration connected through the Dom Pérignon Society. Her approach combines French culinary techniques, seasonal Japanese ingredients and an eye for fashion-inspired presentation, offering diners a glimpse of the restaurant that has made her name. AED 3,000 per person.
Where: TakaHisa Japanese Restaurant, Banyan Tree Dubai, Bluewaters Island
When: Saturday 17 October 2026 at 6pm and 9pm
Contact: https://takahisa.ae
Have a laugh with John Achkar
Lebanese stand-up comedian John Achkar is set to entertain audiences at Dubai Comedy Festival 2026 with his signature Arabic-language comedy and relatable storytelling. Known for exploring themes such as Arab culture, identity, relationships, marriage, and everyday life, John Achkar has built a strong international following with performances across the world.
Where: Dubai Opera, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
When: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Contact: www.dubaicomedyfest.ae
Catch THEMBA live in Dubai
South African DJ and producer THEMBA takes over the Bohemia beachfront on Saturday, 17 October 2026. Born in Johannesburg, he has built his reputation around a distinctive combination of house and techno with percussion and musical influences rooted in Africa. The producer is behind tracks such as “Disappear”, which has accumulated more than eight million streams, as well as “Give Me Something To Hold” with JACK BACK. His sets lean towards deeper, rhythm-driven territory, making his appearance one of the season’s strongest choices for fans of Afro-house and underground electronic music.
Where: Bohemia Beach Club, FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
When: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Contact: https://platinumlist.net
Sunday 18 October 2026
Discover the stories behind Jun’s new tasting menu
For chef Kelvin Cheung, a tasting menu is also a way to share his story. The Short Story: Volume 4 at the FACT award-winning Jun’s follows that idea across seven courses, weaving together dishes shaped by his upbringing and travels. Lobster pani puri and dry-aged sea bream lead into Pequod’s Deep Dish Pizza, a nod to Chicago, and Mama’s Dolma Elotes. For the main, choose Australian MB7 Wagyu steak or lobster with handmade rice noodles. Keri Chaat, combining raw mango sorbet, chaat masala and puffed rice, precedes Palestinian olive oil ice cream. A vegetarian version features Dan Dan Spaghettini. AED 295 per person.
Where: Jun’s, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai
When: Daily from 12pm to 1am
Contact: www.junsdubai.com
Explore Global Village’s New Season
Cooler evenings signal the return of one of Dubai’s favourite outdoor outings. Global Village opened its 31st season on 14 October, putting cultural pavilions, street food and live entertainment back on the weekend agenda. Wander between country pavilions to browse crafts and sample regional dishes, then make time for the fairground rides and family shows. There’s plenty to keep different generations entertained, whether your priorities are shopping, snacks or a spin around the Carnaval attractions. Go with an appetite and leave room in your evening to explore beyond the first few stalls.
Where: Global Village, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Wadi Al Safa, Dubai
When: Daily from 4pm to midnight
Contact: http://platinumlist.net
Laugh out loud with Vir Das
Indian comedian Vir Das is making a highly anticipated return to Dubai as part of the Dubai Comedy Festival 2026. Taking the stage at Coca-Cola Arena, he is set to deliver his signature blend of sharp wit, clever storytelling and global observations. Known for his charismatic stage presence and thought-provoking humour, Vir Das promises an evening of big laughs, fresh perspectives and the unique comedic style that has made him one of India’s most celebrated stand-up acts.
Where: Coca-Cola Arena, Al Satwa, Dubai
When: Sunday, 18 October 2026
Contact: www.dubaicomedyfest.ae