Things to do in Dubai this weekend: 8 best events

Things to do in Dubai this weekend include eight curated events from live music to free movies and family activities across the city.

Dubai’s weekend calendar ranges from a Dhs80 Independence Day buffet at Purani Dilli to a free indoor walking session at Dubai International Airport, bottomless gelato at Dhs149 and a Lucky Ali concert with tickets from Dhs125. This guide lists each event with venue, date and the price you need to decide quickly.

Read on for precise timings, who each event suits and the one line practical tip that makes attending easier, whether you want family-friendly shows, free activities or evening entertainment for adults.

You can celebrate Indian Independence Day at Purani Dilli in Bur Dubai and at Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, with a special buffet priced at Dhs80 per person.

The two Purani Dilli branches are serving tricolour-themed dishes alongside live patriotic music on Saturday, August 15, with times at 7pm to 11.30pm (Bur Dubai) and 6.30pm to 11.30pm (SZR). The Dhs80 price is the listed cost per person and targets a family-friendly evening that blends traditional favourites with celebratory performances.

The risk to plan for is capacity on the night; a fixed-price buffet implies seats may fill fast, especially on a public holiday evening. If you need guaranteed seating for a group, call ahead to confirm availability rather than assuming walk-in space will be available.

Yes, Dubai International Airport (DXB) is hosting Mallathon sessions at Terminal 3, Concourse B with no registration required and no cost to join.

Sessions run every Friday of August with two time slots: 7.30am-9.30am and 9.30am-11.30am. Participants can choose a 750-metre route or a longer 1.5-kilometre option, making the event suitable for families and different fitness levels. The free entry and clear route distances help people plan pace and duration without worrying about heat or outdoor logistics.

A practical downside is airport security and crowd flow; arrive early to pass security checks and follow DXB signage so you stay on the designated route. The indoor setting avoids summer heat but expect airport operational announcements and foot traffic through concourses.

Cioccolatitaliani at Dubai Festival City Mall is running a Bottomless Gelato Brunch every Sunday until the end of August, with adult tickets at Dhs149.

The offering includes unlimited artisan gelato, flowing Italian chocolate, pastries, a mini affogato and one hot or cold drink; child tickets are Dhs79 and family pricing is Dhs399 for two adults and two children. The experience launched on July 19 and runs every Sunday from noon to 10pm, so you can choose a midday treat or a late-afternoon visit.

Consider timing and crowding: weekends and family-friendly hours mean seating can be busy, and the Dhs149 adult price makes this a mid-range indulgence rather than a budget snack. Book early for weekend slots if you want a guaranteed table during peak hours.

The Laughter Factory comedy tour performs across Dubai venues including Bla Bla by McGettigan’s, Radisson Damac Hills, and Dukes The Palm over August 13, 14 and 15.

The August run features five comedians headlined by Ricky Balshaw and including Tevin Everett, Abz Ali, Miqdaad Dohadwala and Andrea Brooks so expect a multi-act evening mixing observational sets and crowd work. The source lists venues and dates but notes ticket costs vary by show, so prices are not fixed in the announcement.

Plan for varying show vibes and audience makeup across venues: a pub room at McGettigan’s will feel different to a hotel event at Radisson or Dukes. Check the specific venue’s capacity and age policy before booking to match the comedic style you prefer.

• Line-up includes Ricky Balshaw and Tevin Everett
• Shows across Radisson Damac Hills, The Palm and Downtown venues
• Expect mixed-age audiences and interactive sets

Cinema Akil is offering free indoor movie screenings at Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue, with weekend midday sessions through August.

The programme includes family-friendly titles like Smurfs: The Lost Village and stop-motion films such as The Tower, and all screenings are free of charge though online booking is required to secure a seat. Free entry removes cost barriers for families and adults, but limited seating means you should reserve a spot in advance through Cinema Akil’s booking page.

Note the venue is in Alserkal Avenue, so factor travel time and parking into plans; free screenings are popular with families at noon and may fill quickly, especially on weekends.

Lucky Ali performs at Coca-Cola Arena on August 16, 2026, with tickets starting from Dhs125.

The concert promises a night of his classic hits including O Sanam and Safarnama, delivering nostalgia for long-time fans; the Dhs125 starting price indicates a range of ticket tiers above that base level. Coca-Cola Arena at Citywalk is a large venue, so you can expect seated and standing options with differing prices and sightlines depending on how close you want to be to the stage.

If you want lower-tier seats near the base price, book early; popular concerts at Coca-Cola Arena can sell out. Compare seating tiers and arrival logistics to decide if you prefer a central seat or a standing experience closer to the stage.

Topgolf Dubai is offering bay rates for Dhs99 per hour on weekdays from opening until 5pm during the summer.

The Dhs99 per hour rate applies to bay bookings Monday to Friday before 5pm, making it an affordable option for groups and families looking to stay cool while trying golf-style games. For evenings, weekends or prime time, expect standard higher rates, but the Dhs99 offer creates a clear low-cost window for casual players.

Remember bays typically seat multiple players, so Dhs99 per hour can be cost-effective when split across a group. Check Topgolf’s specific booking terms for any minimum spend or food-and-beverage requirements during promotional hours.

Yes, Theatre of Digital Art (TODA) at Madinat Jumeirah is staging Kids & Classics with a Beethoven-themed performance on August 15, priced at Dhs270 for one adult and one child.

The session combines live trumpet and piano with storytelling and visuals, and ticketing options are Dhs270 for a one adult plus child package, Dhs189 per adult and Dhs89 per child. The format is aimed at introducing children to classical music via familiar stories like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, with interactive elements to keep young audiences engaged.

Consider age suitability and accompaniment rules: children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and the staged visuals and live instruments suit curious youngsters but may not hold toddlers for long durations. Choose the adult-plus-child ticket if you want a guaranteed paired seat at Dhs270.

This weekend in Dubai offers eight practical options across budget ranges: a Dhs80 buffet, free DXB walks, Dhs149 gelato, Dhs99 Topgolf bays and concerts from Dhs125. Each listing includes venue, date and price where available so you can compare family-friendly shows, free activities and paid events at a glance.