Desert dining, beachfront brunches and plenty of live entertainment will ensure a fun-filled weekend across the UAE.
The festive season has well and truly arrived, and the second weekend in December brings memorable dining, nightlife, brunches and entertainment experiences. Read on for our picks of the week.
Friday 8 December
Visit Dubai’s contemporary culture festival
Leave it to Sole DXB to outdo itself year after year. The time around, the region’s ultimate youth and contemporary culture festival is going big with performances from hip-hop legends Big Daddy Kane, Busta Rhymes, DJ Shadow, Ghostface Killah, Jadakiss, Joey Bada$$, Lupe Fiasco and Tobe Nwigwe. Its multi-format programming encompasses three nights and two days of live music, DJ sets, fashion, film screenings, talks, workshops, sports tournaments and youth clinics, collectively serving as the premier experiential platform for the world’s top brands. Available daily from 8 to 10 December.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Munch on MICHELIN meals
Foodies and gastronomes, get ready to tantalise your taste buds and embark on a memorable culinary journey as the MICHELIN Guide brings its first-ever regional Food Festival to Abu Dhabi. Taking place at Louvre Abu Dhabi Park, the gastronomic spectacle sees 16 handpicked MICHELIN Guide-recognised restaurants whisk you away on a culinary adventure. Lee Kok Hua of Hakkasan, Luigi Stinga of Talea by Antonio Guida, Thinus van der Westhuizen from 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant, and Alvin Leung of Bo Innovation are just a few of the culinary maestros who will be present. Available daily from 8 to 10 December. Tickets are available via Platinumlist from AED 100.
GO: Visit https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
See the Kid Laroi live in Dubai
Rapper The Kid Laroi is coming to Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on 8 December. The Australian artist began his career by uploading music onto SoundCloud and signed a development deal with Sony Music Australia. His singles include Addison Rae, Diva, Go, Thousand Miles, Without You, and Stay, a collaboration with Justin Bieber, which spent six weeks at number one on the Hot 100. Over his career, he has collaborated with Central Cee, Miley Cyrus and Tokyo’s Revenge. Tickets for The Kid Laroi are on sale now and start from AED 195.
GO: Visit https://coca-cola-arena.com for more information.
Saturday 9 December
Enjoy beachfront brunches
Embark on a sensational journey with the new Saturday brunch at Café del Mar Abu Dhabi. Transport yourself back to the golden era of the White Isle with a timeless soundtrack of Ibiza classics, captivating performers, a poolside BBQ, free-flowing beverages and an epic foam pool party. Coming from a FACT Award winner, we expect it to be one of the best brunches in the capital. Saturdays, from 1pm to 4pm. AED 399 per person.
GO: Visit www.cafedelmarabudhabi.com for reservations and more information.
Escape to the desert
Desert adventurers, pack your bags and buckle up for a road trip. Liwa Village is back for another year, promising an immersive experience that blends Emirati traditions with modern flair. Divided into seven zones, guests can visit the Souk, your go-to traditional Emirati marketplace or chow down on food from BB Social Dining, Mattar Third Culture Barbecue, Slaw, Seekh, and The Uncommon at The Oasis. Families will enjoy the Carnival, the Disneyland of Liwa Village. Available daily from 8 to 31 December. Tickets are available via Platinumlist from AED 15.
GO: Visit https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net for reservations and more information.
Witness The Illusionists at Etihad Arena
Get ready to witness the most spectacular magic show on Earth – The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays. Featuring some of the most talented and creative magicians from around the world, the show is set to deliver mind-bending illusions, stunning magic tricks and breath-taking feats that will leave audiences gasping in amazement. Witness illusions that will make people disappear and reappear in unexpected places, mind-reading tricks that will leave audiences questioning what is real and daring acts that will have everyone holding their breath. Available on 9 and 10 December. Tickets are available via Platinumlist, starting from AED 175.
GO: Visit https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Sunday 10 December
Try an Italian weekend breakfast
Jumeirah’s delightful artisanal Italian eatery, Monno, embraces the al fresco season by introducing its all-new weekend Italian breakfast dining experience. The ‘easy like a Monno morning’ menu surpasses Dubai’s weekend brunches with its offering of breakfast sourdough pizzettas adorned with an array of toppings, including bacon scrambled eggs with sour cream and Parmigiano Reggiano or sunny-side-up eggs with freshly shaved black winter truffle. The creamy baby burrata on homemade pesto spread with cherry tomatoes is another tempting choice, while those with a sweet tooth can indulge in the Nutella pizzetta sprinkled with pistachio crumble. Available on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 12pm.
GO: Visit www.monno.ae for reservations and more information.
Make a splash
Nestled on the seventh floor of SO/ Uptown Dubai, Lazuli emerges as a bohemian poolside retreat in the heart of the new Uptown neighbourhood. The poolside venue draws inspiration from the carefree spirit of the Côte d’Azur and has collaborated with HRMNY and Mixed Feelings for a St Tropez-inspired pool party. Sundays, from 12pm to 8pm. AED 200 per person (fully redeemable on food and beverages).
GO: Call 050 405 7041 for reservations and more information.
Watch a candlelight concert
Having captivated audiences around the globe, the Candlelight Concert series by Fever is poised to mesmerise Dubai once again. The Zabeel Theatre at Madinat Jumeirah will resonate with timeless, immersing guests in classic Arab music performed by the renowned Fusion Al Arab Group. The program is set to feature masterpieces such as Alef Leila W Leila, Lamma Bada Yatathanna, and Longa Riyad and by Umm Kulthum, along with modern classics like Ahbk by Hussain al Jasmi. Sunday 10 December at 6pm and 9pm.
GO: Visit https://candlelightexperience.com for reservations and more information.
