From giant snow fights (yes, we do live in the desert) to wrestling and muscle cars – there’s lots of action in the city this weekend. That said, there’s also plenty of culture on offer – from mid-century design to open mic poetry nights. Here are our picks of the things to do in Dubai this weekend…

THURSDAY 14

1. Celebrate Thai new year

Songkran (Thai New Year) was this this week, and to celebrate Toshi is putting up a special Thai spread for its Thursday buffet tonight. There will be Masaman curry, steamed sea bass wrapped in bamboo leaf, satay, fish cakes, BBQ chicken liver, grilled squid and more. Oh, and the chef is Thai, which is always a good sign.

Toshi, Grand Millennium, Tecom. Dhs375 with house drinks, Dhs195 with soft drinks, 7pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 429 9999. More info on website. 

2. Ogle at customs, vintage models and supercars

There are two car festivals running in Dubai this weekend, and they’re right next to each other. The first is at City Walk in Jumeirah: from today until April 23 you’ll find 50 cars from custom builds to vintage pieces scattered all around the complex. There will also be a gaming ‘race room’, a remote control drift car and a Mario Kart ride.

Then, just across Sheikh Zayed Road in Business Bay is the Gulf Car Festival, a this-weekend-only, ticketed event that will see 300 custom cars on display. American muscle car fans should definitely check it out.

Citywalk, Jumeirah, 10am to 10pm daily until April 23, free (some activities are paid for).
Bay Avenue Park, Business Bay, 6pm to 10pm today and 5.30pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday. Dhs55 for one day pass, Dhs90 for a three day pass. More info on website.

3. Go to an open mic night

Blank Space is a regular Dubai open mic night that shows off local poetry, music and comedy talents. Tonight it’s being held at Life ‘N One in Jumeirah, and while registration to get up on stage is closed, you can still go down to watch.

Life ‘N One, Jumeirah. Doors open 7pm (event starts at 8pm), Dhs25 entry. More info on Facebook. 

4. Get ready to rumble

The rumble’s not in the jungle this weekend, it’s in the desert as WWE Live Dune Bash is here. See Dean Ambrose, as well as United States Champion Kalisto in action. Tickets are selling out fast, but there are still some available for both tonight and tomorrow. Also, on both nights Nomad restaurant in Jumeirah Creekside Hotel is offering a deal that means an American-style burger and a pint (or soft drink) for Dhs80, a perfect pre-match carbo’ load opportunity.

WWE Live Dune Bash, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, April 14 at 7pm and April 15 5.30pm. Tickets available from Dhs350 to Dhs1,500. Buy tickets here.

5. Dance to indie tunes

From new songs to absolute classics, regular night Step On Dubai is back at Casa Latina tonight. This is the option for you if you fancy hitting the dance floor without the threat of hearing a David Guetta song.

Casa Latina, Ibis Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, 8pm to 2.45am, free entry and cheap drinks deals. More info on Facebook.

6. Get stuck into a huge snowball fight

Ski Dubai is hosting a huge snowball fight tonight and they’re anticipating that a whopping 1,000 people will be there to throw snow at each other. We’re not going to lie, it sounds seriously awesome, but be warned that the slots are given on a first come first served basis, so if you’re looking to take part make sure you turn up to the event early.

Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates. April 14, 11pm to 2am. Free. Tel: (800) 386. skidubai.com. Find out more about the snowball fight at the Facebook page.

FRIDAY 15

7. Go to a free fitness class

This morning at Ripe Market Piloga are hosting a free 80s yoga class. It’s basically a combination of aerobics and vinyasa flow yoga – but all to a classic 1980s soundtrack. So if you’re more of an Eye of the Tiger person than an om-er, this could be the yoga class for you. How do you register? Download the Classport app and then find the free class and sign up.

Central Grass Area, Ripe Market, Zabeel Park. 9am to 10am, Friday. More info on Facebook.

8. Marvel sleek mid-century design

If you love the aesthetics of the 50s, 60s and 70s, you’ll want to check out this new Mid-Century furniture gallery in d3. MCML stocks mid-century antiques, including furniture, lighting, ceramics, glass and textiles. Walking into the shop is a bit like stumbling onto the set of Mad Men – super cool. Thing is, these are proper antiques, so expect to pay up for them (and you can only go to the gallery by appointment so don’t just pop by, ring first).

MCML Studio, Building 6, Dubai Design District. By appointment only. Tel: (04) 514 9740. More info on website.

9. Try a new brunch

There’s a new Friday brunch in town at Stereo Arcade, and in the tradition of James Corden it’s called the Late Late Brunch with Loaded. It runs from 2pm to 5pm, features live music from Tim Hassall, an a la carte menu and unlimited opportunities to play Street Fighter in the arcade (we anticipate getting peak competitive at around 4pm).

The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Dubai, JBR. 2pm to 5pm. Unlimited beverages Dhs250 per person (menu on an a la carte basis). Tel: (800) 783736. More info on Facebook.

10. Try tapas on The Terrace

Right on the water and nicely secluded, The Terrace in the Park Hyatt is one of our favourite sundowner spots (and soon it’s going to be too hot to truly enjoy it). They have a ‘pop up’ Spanish tapas dinner menu running from now until the end of the month. This means gazpacho, paella, chopitos and churros are all on offer. Yum.

The Terrace, Park Hyatt, Deira. 5pm to 2am, daily. Tel: (04) 602 1814. More info on website. 

11. Bask in the tunes of one of Spain’s finest DJs

Spanish DJ and producer Toni Varga has been at it since he was 15, and he’s now well into his thirties. He’s a DJ that’s there to impress and entertain his audience (not stroke his own musical ego). In the words of our sister mag Hype Varga “entertains people with his informed selections and slick mixing. In short, he lets the music do the talking”.

Level 41, Media One Hotel, Dubai Media City, 10pm to 3am, Dhs120 (ladies free before midnight). More info on website.

SATURDAY 16

12. See the worlds of art and ornithology collide

Gulf Photo Plus’ latest exhibition Birds of a Feather is a photo series by New York photographer Claire Rosen. The works shows a whole range of birds, from the everyday parakeet to a more exotic hyacinth macaw, posing in front of vintage floral wallpapers. It’s as if our grandparents’ Victorian furnishings have come to life.

Gulf Photo Plus, unit D36, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, free entry. Until April 30. More info on website.

13. Go to an actual toy town

Have children and want to take them somewhere new? Well Mattel Play Town has just opened its doors in City Walk and has five play zones built around different characters – Barney, Thomas, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina and Fireman Sam. There will also be live shows, and there’s a 4D cinema and an on-site cafe.

City Walk, Jumeirah. Dhs95 for children and Dhs55 for accompanying adults. Tel:(04) 317 3999. More info on website.

14. Have an Italian BBQ lunch

Segreto has a newly refurbished olive tree-themed terrace, and as of today they’ll be hosting an Italian BBQ lunch there every Saturday. We love Italian food, we love BBQ – we’re anticipating good things.

Segreto, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, Sat 12.30pm to 5pm, Dhs185. Tel: (04) 366 6730. jumeirah.com. 

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