31 brilliant things to do in Dubai this August

Covering an impressive 300 square feet, you can book for a quick game of tennis, or bring all your mates for a seven-a-side on the football pitch. If you’re using the facilities, there is also a huge weightlifting gym tucked inside that you should try out too.

Sat Jun 22 – Sun Sep 8. Zabeel Halls 2-6, World Trade Centre. dubaisportsworld.ae

August 7

Get up close with some sharks

Calling all shark-fanatics, this summer the Lost Chambers Aquarium is offering up a jawesome day out you’ll want to make the most of.

Included in the day pass is access to the aquarium, as well as photo ops, shark mascot sightings, a shark and ray nursery feed and even a full aquatheatre show.

Those feeling brave enough can try the aquatrek extreme walk through the tank, or a shark safari.

Prices vary. Daily 9am-10pm. Lost Chambers Aquarium. Atlantis the Palm. aquaventureworld.com (04 426 1040).

August 8

Watch It Ends With Us

The film adaptation of the book by Coleen Hoover is finally here, and you can now watch Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) embark on her new life in Boston.

Starting to see signs of trouble in her new relationship, a face from the past only causes more unrest, and causes Lily to make an impossible choice for her future.

A powerful story that has gripped over four million readers across the world, the movie should be a great watch.

Released Thurs Aug 8. Check your local cinema’s website for screening timings.

August 9

Have a Lush party

There’s no better time to make your own face mask. Get the whole gang together and book in for a beauty workshop, where you can experience a full DIY session. For 90 minutes, staff will help you make your own product, give you one to take home and give you an in-store massage or face mask, all for just Dhs200 per person.

Dhs200 per person. Any lush store, call store directly to book. Lush.com.

Have a 3-course steak dinner

Prime 68 are back with another great dinner deal, this time to mark restaurant month at the JW Marriott Marquis.

For Dhs245, you can begin with the likes of truffle gnocchi or oysters, before moving onto a USDA prime Black Angus striploin, then finishing with the crème brulee all while looking out over the Burj Khalifa.

Dhs245. Daily (until Sat Aug 31). Sun-Fri 6pm-midnight, Sat 6.30pm-midnight. JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. Business Bay. marriott.com (04 414 3000).

August 10

Join a brunch and paint session

Start your Saturday with avocado and eggs on toast as you unleash your inner artist.

Once you’ve finished sipping your coffee, you’ll be guided through the painting session at Licious restaurant, and even get to take your masterpiece home with you at the end. Happy painting.

Dhs190, Sat Aug 10, 11am-2pm. Licious Restaurant, Cluster C, JLT. artistpals.com.

Treat yourself to an afternoon tea

Summer afternoons just got even better with this sweet experience. Sit back in the stunning Cordelia restaurant and nibble away at a freshly prepared selection of sandwiches, scones and pastries.

Looking out over Palm Jumeirah, you can up your experience to ‘The Royal Treat’, which will add a glass of bubbly to your spread.

Dhs305 per person (with bubbly), Dhs215 (soft). St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, marriott.com (056 688 9885).

Sweat it out at a wellness morning

The Club Blended experience kicks-off at 9.30am, where you jump straight into a 45-minute reformer Pilates class.

Then it’s onto a quick sound healing session in the Blended Wellness salt cave before a full breakfast at Ula. Finished up by noon, you can head into the weekend fit healthy and full.

Dhs199 per person. Sat from 9am. Blended Wellness, Dukes the Palm. solutions-leisure.com (04 423 8313).

August 11

Try some sound-healing at the cinema

And breathe. Helping you relax in front of the big screen, VOX Cinemas is hosting its first-ever live sound meditation on Sunday August 11.

Partnering with wellness and fitness expert Linda Chambers-Cochrane, the session will from 10am until noon, where you will experience a 15-minute guided meditation, alongside an hour-long sound meditation complete with blankets in the comfort of a fully reclining heated seat. Bliss.

From Dhs350, Sun Aug 11, 10am-noon. VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates uae.voxcinemas.com 

August 12

Have a three-course lunch at Atlantis The Royal

Live your best life and dine at one of the most luxurious hotels in the world for just Dhs200. Yes, you heard that correct! The new business lunch menu at Estiatorio Milos is now available, giving you three incredible courses included.

Looking over the hotel’s fountains, savour the Greek restaurant’s salmon tartare to start, then try the fish of the day or the Black Angus tenderloin for your main course. Finish with a traditional Greek ravani, to make the most of this gorgeous summer lunch spot. 

From Dhs200, Mon-Thurs noon-4pm, 6pm-1am. Fri-Sun noon-1am. Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah, Milosdubai.com (04 426 2555).

August 13

Nibble an Indian-inspired afternoon tea

Located at Tandoor Tina, this afternoon tea is all about boarding the sweet-treat express, taking you on a rail journey through Northern India.

Inside the 25hours hotel, your exotic bites will be served inside a Jaipur pink luggage box to really make you feel like you’re on your travels.

Dhs150 (soft), Dhs250(house). Mon-Fri 3pm-6pm. Tandoor Tina, 25hours Hotel One Central. tandoortina.com (04 210 2500).

Dive in at Zeta 77

The incredible rooftop spot in the Address Beach Resort is now open for night swimming – and what a view you’re going to get.

Looking out over JBR and Bluewaters, you can watch the shimmering city lights below as you get a few lengths in. Priced at Dhs477, the experience is fully redeemable, and you’ve got a full menu bursting with everything from fresh sushi to mixed-drinks inspired by the stars.

Dhs477 per person (fully redeemable). Daily 5pm-10pm, Address Beach Resort, JBR. addresshotels.com (04 879 8866).

August 14

Watch La Perle

The only permanent show in Dubai, it is well worth a visit.

The performance will leave you unsure where to look as the stage floods with water in one direction, and the cast show off some incredible stunts in the other.

Currently running a mid-year splash deal, you can grab tickets for as little as Dhs110 per person.

Prices vary, Wed-Sat 6.30pm-8pm & 9pm-10.30pm, Sun 4pm-5.30pm & 6.30pm-8pm,Al Habtoor City, laperle.com (04 437 0001).

August 15

Take a daycation to One&Only Royal Mirage

Indulge in a 12-hour escape to Dubai Marina and experience some of the luxuries the hotel has to offer. Start by tucking into a buffet breakfast at the Olives restaurant, then glide over to the pool where you can lie back on a lounger and doze the day away.

Finish off the self-care with a 60-minute treatment in the spa, which can include everything from a hammam to a blow dry.

Until Sun Sept 15 2024. Dhs590 (weekdays). Dhs690 (weekends). 7am-7pm. One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai Marina. sevenrooms.com (04 315 2412).

August 16

Get on the games at Boom Battle Bar

This JBR spot recently got a bit of a makeover, so this is your chance to check out the new layout.

Now rocking a cool new theme for summer, you can jump on a round of crazy golf, shoot some hoops or even try your luck at axe throwing. Bringing the weekend vibes, there’s even a live DJ to keep up the atmosphere while you putt.

Sun-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 1pm-2am. DoubleTree by Hilton, JBR. boombattlebar.com (04 585 7357).

August 17

Paint in the dark

The Neon Brush glow-in-the dark session will unleash your inner Picasso while you get to work with the fluorescent paints.

The workshop will only be in Dubai for two days, so don’t miss your chance to create your masterpiece alongside some fun beats and a few soft drinks.

From Dhs160 per person (includes 1 soft drink). Sat Aug 17 to Sun Aug 18. Timings vary. Alliance Francaise Dubai. feverup.com.

Race round the mall at Dragon Mart

You might have run round here before trying to find a bargain, but this time it’s a real organised race.

Instead of getting a 5km in the summer heat, you can pace around the air-conditioned track indoors, and even do a bit of browsing as you go.

As well as getting some exercise, each entrant will be entered into a raffle where you can win BeOnd flights to the Maldives, so it’s a win win.

From Dhs60. Sat August 17. From 6.45am. Dragon Mart 2, Al Awir Road. raceroster.com.

August 18

Tuck into a Sunday carvery at McCafferty’s

It doesn’t get much better than a Sunday carvery. For Dhs100, you’ll walk out feeling very full, after getting stuck into soup and soda bread, a full carvery plate with all the trimmings and the desert of the day.

All for Dhs100, kids under 10 eat for free in McCafferty’s Al Furjan and McCafferty’s Wafi and kids under 7 eat for free in the JVC branch.

Dhs100, Sun noon-8pm. McCafferty’s JVC, Wafi and Al Furjan. mccaffertysjvc.com.

August 19

Unwind with a self-care day

The Extra Hour Spa are offering a free 30-minute massage when you book any 60-minute hammam experience, which is pretty much two for the price of one.

Get yourself booked in for over an hour of back to back relaxation, or you can book a 30-minute massage and get another 30 for free. We’ll see you there.

From Dhs599 (hammam and massage). Sun-Fri (until Sept 30), 9am-6pm. Extra Hour Spa. 25hours Hotel One Central Dubai, Trade Centre. extrahourspadubai.com (04 210 2550).

August 20

Sing-along at Dubai Mall ice rink

Take the kiddos onto the ice at Dubai Mall and enjoy one of the sing-along sessions throughout the day.

Featuring some colourful characters in skates, you can glide around while singing your heart up, and enjoy a 15-minute meet and greet session before a quick photo op.

Prices Vary. Sun-Wed, 2.15pm, 4.15pm, 5.30pm, 7.45pm, 9pm. Sat, 10.45am, 12.45pm, 4.15pm, 6pm. Dubai Ice Rink, Dubai Mall. thedubaimall.com (800 38224 6255).

August 21

Take the kids for a shopping spree

The holidays are coming towards a close, so now is the time to get the kiddos on the catwalk and try on some new school clothes.

Offering everything from rugby tops to denim, you can pick up pieces at H&M for as little as Dhs35. Or if an afternoon out to the mall isn’t going to work, you can order them online from the comfort of the couch.

ae.hm.com

August 22

Try a new facial

Using some high-end products from La Mer, clinic Casa Aire Wellness are offering a full 90-minute Le Visage de la Mer facial, designed to get your skin looking as plump as ever.

It’s not just a quick scrub and cleanse with this one, instead you’ll be treated to everything from cryotherapy to sound therapy and even a special ‘miracle broth’. Your skin is going to be glowing after all that pampering.

Prices vary. Tues-Sun, noon-9pm. Marina Terrace, Dubai Marina. casaairewellness.com (052 975 0606).

August 23

Cinema session to see Think Twice

The latest Hollywood flick to hit screens, Blink Twice has got some big names involved, from Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie to director Zoe Kravitz.

Set in present day, the story follows tech billionaire Slater King (Tatum), who invites a waitress he met at a fundraising gala to his private island.

Spending time with him and his friends in exclusive resort, some strange occurrences start to make Frida (Ackie) question her own reality.

Released Aug 23. Check your local cinema for screening timings.

August 24

Sunset Soiree at NOÉPE

Summer evenings just got a lot better. Watch the sun go down at NOÉPE where you’ll be treated to two hours of free-flowing drinks in the gorgeous indoor terrace at Park Hyatt.

As the sky turns orange, unwind to the beats from the live DJ and look out over the boats as you’re served three courses from a special menu.

Dhs250 (food only), Dhs390 (for food and free-flowing drinks). Sat & Sun, 5pm-11pm (for two hours only). NOÉPE, Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek Resort. hyattrestaurants.com (04 602 1814).

August 25

Because of You music festival

Some of the biggest stars from the Chinese music scene are heading to Dubai next month. Top C-pop artists will perform at the Coca-Cola Arena for two nights on Saturday August 24 and Sunday August 25 as part of the Because Of You – Chinese Music Fest.

Sat Aug 34 – Sun Aug 25.From Dhs380. Coca-Cola Arena, Citywalk. PlatinumList.net

August 26

Sip a blue matcha       

Calling all matcha fans, there’s a new menu in town that you’re going to want to know about. L’Occitane Café is going matcha-crazy this summer so make sure to grab one in the next few weeks.

Trying something different, you can sip on a hot bright blue matcha, or even the lavender iced matcha latte if you need something to cool you down in this heat.

Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-midnight. Citywalk 2. ae.loccitane.com (04 346 1825).

August 27

Take a staycation to Dukes the Palm

Hop on over to Palm Jumeirah and enjoy a night away looking out over the water at Dukes the Palm.

Offering a stay-cay package until September 1, you can get a deluxe studio for two for Dhs575, including a breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet, or a set menu at the North-Indian themed Khyber restaurant.

Spend the day floating in the hotel’s lazy river and catching a few rays, before filling up on some good food and soaking up the Dubai Marina views.

From Dhs 575. Until Sun Sept 1. Dukes the Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel. Palm Jumeirah. barcelo.com (04 455 1111). 

August 30

Visit Loco Bear

When it comes to indoor entertainment, pretty much everything you can think of is under this roof.

Climbing walls? Yup. Trampolining? Of course. Roll glider? You know it.

And that’s only the half if it. Giving you hours of summer fun, the attraction is the new spot to checkout in August.

Al Quoz 2. locobear.ae.

August 31

Watch Shaan Se at the Coca-Cola Arena

Taking to the stage at the end of August, the Bollywood star will be performing at the Coca-Cola Arena for the first time.

The voice behind many of Bollywood’s leading men, Shaan Se has also topped the charts with a series of hits such as Tanha Dil, Who Pehli Baar, Chand Sifarish and Jab Se Tere Naina.

From Dhs99, Sat Aug 31, Coca-Cola Arena. coca-cola-arena.com (800 22 33 88).