Hip-hop legends, K-Pop stars, Comic Con celebs and more…

We hope you’re prepared for this weekend. It’s going to be a huge one, with weekend-long events like Comic Con and Sound Collective, hip-hop icons Diddy and Ludacris taking over a superclub, and K-Pop as some of South Korea’s biggest stars descend on Dubai.

Here are 15 things to do in Dubai this weekend…

Thursday April 5

1. Try out a new lazy lunch

Downtown Jamaican spot Ting Irie has just launched a new weekday “Lazy Lunch”, which sounds perfect for easing into the weekend mood. The lunch starts from Dhs79 for two courses, with a choice of dishes like fried chicken, curry goat, Jamaican beef patties and Oxtail Cocobread Sandwiches (which we love).

Ting Irie, Souk Al Manzil, Downtown Dubai. Lazy Lunch available weekdays 12pm to 3pm, from Dhs79. Tel: (04) 557 5601. More info on website.

2. Geek out at Comic Con

It’s finally here! The Middle East’s largest pop culture event is set to take over Dubai World Trade Centre for its seventh edition this weekend. The celebrity line-up includes Justice League hero Ezra Miller (aka The Flash), Games of Thrones fan favourite Kristian Nairn (aka Hodor), Stranger Things star Natalia Dyer (aka Nancy Wheeler), and all-round action man Karl Urban. There’s also heaps of workshops to take part in, film screenings, and of course, an epic cosplay contest.

Middle East Film & Comic Con, Dubai World Trade Centre, April 5 to 7. Tickets from Dhs110 for a one-day pass. More info on website.

3. Sip sundowners at a beautiful new spot

NOÉPE is a lovely little waterside restaurant located at the Park Hyatt Dubai’s new dining destination, The Promenade. The Cape Cod-inspired spot has a brilliant happy hour deal every day between 5pm and 8pm where you can get 50 per cent off all drinks, or, if you’re after an end-of-the-week treat, there’s a Fisherman’s Catch deal where you can get a seafood platter and two glasses of premium champagne for Dhs395. You’ll find us out on the terrace…

NOÉPE, The Promenade, Park Hyatt Dubai, deal available daily 5pm to 8pm (available on Fridays from 6.30pm to 8pm). Tel: (04) 602 1814. More info on website. 

4. See a hip-hop superstar

The legendary Diddy is making his Dubai debut tonight at new Business Bay superclub Gotha Dubai. We’re expecting big things from the three-time Grammy Award-winner, so this is one you won’t want to miss. Read our interview with Diddy here.

Gotha Dubai, Radisson Blu Dubai Waterfront, Business Bay, April 5, 11pm to 3am. Dhs350 for ladies, Dhs700 for guys. Tel: (055) 1 934 934. More info on website.

5. Head along to a free party

To mark the end of a successful residency at BASE Dubai, The BPM Festival is throwing a massive closing party – and entry is free for girls AND guys. The epic finale will see NBA star-turned-DJ and Ibiza regular Rony Seikaly take to the decks.

BASE Dubai, Dubai Design District, April 5, 10pm to 4am. Free entry. Tel: (055) 313 4999. More info on Facebook.

Friday April 6

6. Book a brand new brunch

Legendary Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao is finally open in Dubai, and we’re not the only ones who are fans – Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Mohammed were spotted dining there recently. The meaty spot has launched a Fogo Churrasco Brunch Experience, which includes unlimited premium cuts of meat, trips to the market table, beverages and desserts.

Fogo de Chao, Central Park Towers, DIFC, Fridays, 12pm to 4pm, packages from Dhs249. Tel: (04) 343 8867. More info on website.

7. Walk for a great cause

Did you know that one in five people in the UAE have been affected by arthritis? Walk for Arthritis is all about making every step count towards finding a cure for this painful illness. The 3.5km awareness walkathon aims to educate the public about factors associated with arthritis, and will also feature interactive exercise sessions on pain management and movement. It’s free to take part.

Walk for Arthritis, Dubai Creek Gate no 2, Umm Hurair, April 6, from 7.30am. Free. More info on Facebook.

8. Check out a Spanish festival

Feria De Abril, also known as the Seville Fair, is one of Spain’s most iconic festivals – and you can get a taste of it right here in Dubai. Casa de Tapas at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is hosting its own version of the fiesta, with flavoursome dishes, free-flowing drinks and flamenco dance and music. There’s even going to be a dance competition – ole!

Casa de Tapas, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, April 6, from 12pm. Brunch packages from Dhs299 (Dhs150 for children). Tel: (04) 416 1800. More info on website.

9. Check out a K-Pop festival

Some of the biggest names in K-Pop will descend on Dubai this Friday for the eagerly anticipated SM Town Live concert at Autism Rocks Arena. There will be a whopping 35 artists in total performing – to find out exactly who is coming, check out our guide to the concert here.

SM Town Live, Autism Rocks Arena, Friday April 6, from 6pm, tickets from Dhs375. More info on website.

10. Catch another hip-hop legend

Last night Diddy took to the Gotha Dubai stage, and tonight Ludacris will be performing at the Business Bay superclub. The Grammy Award-winner has a career that spans over two decades, so expect some huge hits. Entry is free before 12.30am.

Gotha Dubai, Radisson Blu Dubai Waterfront, Business Bay, Friday, 11pm to 3am. After 12.30am Dhs200 for ladies, Dhs400 for guys. Tel: (055) 1 934 934. More info on website. 

Saturday April 7

11. Witness Disney on Ice

It may be heating up in Dubai, but there’s a new way to cool off this weekend, as a family-friendly show takes to the ice at Dubai World Trade Centre. Disney On Ice presents Passport To Adventure sees Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy journey to the worlds of The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Frozen in a magical Disney mash-up. If you don’t have a kid, borrow one to see this.

Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure, Dubai World Trade Centre Arena, April 4 to April 7, from Dhs132. Tel: (04) 332 1000. Get tickets here.

12. Check out a free fitness class

A spicy new fitness concept has landed in Al Quoz, and they’re offering a series of free one-hour taster classes to celebrate. PoleHouse has set up shop at The Warehouse Gym, offering fun classes like Pole Dancensual, Pole Twerk and Booty Bar. Beyond the pole, find an open floor to a variety of unique yoga classes, from Acro Flex Yoga to Flextreme Yoga.

The Warehouse Gym, Al Quoz, April 7, 3pm to 6pm. Free. Tel: (04) 323 2323. More info on Facebook.

13. Enjoy sweet treats at a food fest

The Miami Vibes Food Festival has taken over the Dubai Design District, and it’s basically a sweet-tooth’s paradise. The ‘Candy Land’-themed event features food trucks and stalls selling Instagram-worthy churros, milkshakes, donuts and more. Consider this your cheat day.

Miami Vibes Food Festival, Dubai Design District, until April 14, 4pm to 11pm. Free entry. Tel: (052) 620 6162. More info on Instagram.

14. Head along to an organic market

Lakefront destination The Yard is hosting an outdoor organic market every weekend throughout April. You can shop for arts and crafts, organic beauty products, jewellery and homeware, as well as fresh fruits and veges, eggs, honey, dates, and more. There are also some fun workshops for kids, such as creating their own healthy snacks from scratch.

The Yard, Al Khawaneej, every Friday and Saturday until the end of April, 6pm to 11pm. Free entry. More info on website.

15. Hit up a huge EDM festival

Sound Collective returns to Barasti Beach this weekend, bringing a host of global EDM DJs with it. They’ll be led by Grammy Award-winning DJ Benny Benassi, who rose to fame off the back of his 2002 hit, Satisfaction. To guarantee your place on the beach at the biggest festival of the year, be sure to arrive early.

Barasti Beach, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, April 5 to April 7. Free. Tel: (04) 3181313. More info on website.

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