Popstars, pizza, plus our very own Try Dubai 2018… it’s going to be a goodie.

We hope you’ve been getting your full eight-hours-a-night this week, because this weekend is set to be huge. On Friday, we hope to see all of your lovely faces at Try Dubai 2018. You’ll be able to meet some cool people, grab some great deals and try out plenty of stuff for free. You can find out more about all of that here.

But that’s not all – RedFestDXB is back this weekend. You’ll be able to catch The Chainsmokers up “closer” than ever before on Thursday night, while on Friday night, Kesha will be hitting the stage. Because the party don’t start until she walks in.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend…

Thursday February 8

1. Sing along with The Chainsmokers

RedFestDXB kicks off tonight, and The Chainsmokers will be headlining day one of the two-day music festival. The American DJ duo, made up of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, will be performing smash hits like Closer, Don’t Let Me Down and Roses at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. Tonight’s line-up also includes US rapper Russ, South London singer-songwriter Kelli-Leigh, and French-Lebanese artist Anthony Touma.

RedFestDXB, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Thurs & Fri, doors open at 6pm on Thurs. Single day ticket from Dhs395. More info on website.

2. Enjoy dinner with a British cooking legend

If you remember Ready Steady Cook, then you’ll remember the legendary chef, Brian Turner. One of the UK’s most successful chefs, Turner will be hosting a series of dinners at Capital Club Dubai. Both members and non-members are welcome to enjoy the six-course tasting menu of modern British dishes, including beetroot & citrus marinated salmon with an apple & radish salad, roast lamb canon & best end with a tarragon crust with celeriac fondant & rosemary gratin, Yorkshire blue rarebit and white chocolate & raspberry trifle.

Capital Club Dubai, DIFC, Thurs & Fri, 7.30pm. Dhs650 for six-course menu, plus Dhs350 for five-course grape flight. Tel: (04) 364 0111. More info on website.

3. Get snappy for GPP Photo Week

GPP Photo Week 2018 is the longest-running international photography event in the region, and there’s heaps of workshops, exhibitions and special events to check out. We recommend taking a look at Red Zone by Jalal Sepehr – the Iranian photographer’s series reflects upon the turmoil currently facing the Middle East and beyond. This stunning shot shows an airport runway reimagined as a Persian carpet.

GPP Photo Week, Alserkal Avenue, Feb 7 to 12. More info on website.

4. Celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday

Tribeca Dubai is celebrating the life of reggae legend Bob Marley with a Caribbean-style birthday bash. There will be a live reggae band and DJs playing all night, plus entry is free.

Tribeca Dubai, JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR, Thurs, from 7pm. Free entry. More info on Facebook.

5. Catch an acclaimed Egyptian film

This film from award-winning Egyptian director Hala Elkoussy was a big hit at last year’s Dubai International Film Festival, and from today you can see it at Vox Cinemas in Mall of the Emirates. Cactus Flower follows three strangers in Cairo, brought together when they all become homeless.

Vox Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates, screening from February 8 until February 21. Tickets through website or at cinema. Tel: (600) 599 9905. More info on website.

Friday February 9

6. Join us at Try Dubai 2018!

What’s On Dubai is taking over Barasti Beach Club today for the second annual Try Dubai – the UAE’s first official gathering for groups, sports clubs and active brands. You’ll be able to try out a whole heap of cool activities for free, plus, if you do end up signing up to any of them, there will be brilliant discounts and deals exclusively for Try Dubai visitors. Here’s a full list of the deals you’ll find, and here’s a full list of the free classes you can take part in on the day. We can’t wait – see you there.

Barasti Beach, Fri, 11am to 5pm. Tel: (04) 4273000. More info on Facebook.

7. Sink your teeth into a Dhs9 pizza

Today is National Pizza Day, and to celebrate, PizzaExpress restaurants throughout the UAE are serving up classic margherita pizzas (the best flavour, in our opinion) for Dhs9. So that’s lunch sorted. The deal is dine-in only, and not available at the Jazz restaurants.

PizzaExpress, Fri, 12pm to 4pm. More info on website.

8. Find your balance at a community yoga event

YogaFest Middle East is hosting an afternoon of yoga and meditation at Dubai Knowledge Park. At 3pm you can take part in a Jivamukti class with Dina Ghandour, at 4.15pm check out Vinyasa Flow with Laura McCone, rounded off by Yin Yoga with Lizel Cameron at 5.30pm. A donation of Dhs50 is requested to support Dubai Cares and their work to educate Syrian children in refugee camps in Lebanon.

Dubai Knowledge Park, Fri, 3pm to 6pm. Dhs50. More info on Facebook.

9. Catch some golfing action with a side of fireworks

The word “epic” doesn’t immediately come to mind when we think of golf, but this event might just be a game-changer. The Long Drive World Series returns to Dubai this evening, and will see 16 of the world’s very best hitters battle it out for their chance at glory – basically, seeing who can smack their ball the furthest distance. There will be sudden-death knockouts, DJs, food trucks, and even pyrotechnics. You can witness all of this for the very low price of free.

Jumeirah Golf Estates, Fri, main event from 7pm, free entry. More info on website.

10. Party hard at a huge new superclub

Drai’s DXB, the famous Las Vegas export, opens today with a massive day-to-night party. Canadian rapper and Grammy nominee Tory Lanez will take to the stage to officially open the new hotspot, which has space for 2000 partygoers. Yep, it’s going to be a big night.

Drai’s DXB, Soho Garden, Meydan, Fri, doors open from 1pm. Tel: (052) 388 8857. More info on website.

11. See Kesha at the RedFestDXB after-party

Popstar Kesha will be headlining day two of RedFestDXB – her first time performing in Dubai. But you can also catch her at the official RedFestDXB after-party at WHITE Dubai. She’ll be joined by American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha. Ladies enjoy free drinks until 1am.

WHITE Dubai, Meydan, Fri, from 11pm. Tel: (050) 443 0933. More info on Facebook.

Saturday February 10

12. Check out the balloon sculpture at Dubai Mall

Be sure to “pop” on down to Dubai Mall sometime this month to see the mind-blowing balloon sculpture by experimental artist Jason Hackenwerth. The installation, which is made up of around 20,000 balloons, is 18 metres tall, dangling over three storeys of the mall. You’ll find it above the entrance to the Souk, near Galeries Lafayette.

Dubai Mall, until the end of February, 10am to midnight (until 1am on weekends). Tel: (800) 38224 6255. More info on website.

13. Head along to a family-friendly rave

Here’s a rave for the underage crowd. Party Monsters returns to The Backyard in the Steigenberger Hotel this weekend, this time with a pirate theme. Ravers can expect a face-painting station, a splash ‘n’ bounce chill out area, a baby sensory dance floor, and sick beats from Lucy Pink, Dubijad, and Woodle. Sound levels will be maintained at lower levels to ensure it is 100 per cent safe for kids of all ages.

The Backyard, Steigenberger Hotel, Business Bay, Sat, noon to 5pm. Dhs70 for adults including drink voucher, Dhs35 for children including kids’ rave kid. Children under 2 free. More info on Facebook.

14. Check out an art exhibition with a difference

Mawaheb from Beautiful People, the first art studio for young adults with special needs in the Middle East, is hosting a month-long abstract art exhibition which kicks off today. The studio is located in the culturally rich Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, so it’s a lovely place for a Saturday afternoon wander.

Mawaheb, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Feb 10 to March 10, 5pm to 7pm. Free entry. More info on website.

15. Get your fill of food trucks

Fans of food trucks, look no further. Emirates Golf Club is hosting the popular Food Truck Jam with Truckers UAE this evening. There’ll be a live band providing chilled out tunes, a craft market and kids activities, and of course, some of the city’s best food trucks serving up delicious eats.

Emirates Golf Club, near Nakheel Metro Station, Sat, 5pm to 11pm. Free entry, but bring cash. More info on Facebook.

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