Things to do in Dubai this weekend: 8 top picks

Things to do in Dubai this weekend include brunches, pet events, bargain dining and live entertainment for families and friends across Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Hills.

This short guide collects the weekender highlights mentioned in local listings: a Mediterranean GourMed brunch at Timo in Al Jaddaf Rotana, a pet-painting workshop at The Duck Hook in Dubai Hills, the Dhs10 Dubai Summer Surprises dining deals and rooftop menus at Cé La Vi on Level 54.

Expect clear prices where available: Timo’s brunch starts at Dhs250 per couple with a Dhs100 free-flow option, The Duck Hook’s workshop is Dhs175 per person, Cé La Vi’s summer menu is Dhs125 for three courses and Tocha’s afternoon tea is Dhs180 per person.

Start with focused choices: brunch, a pet-friendly activity, a bargain dining deal and an evening of live music or trivia will cover most tastes for a single weekend. Dhs10 dining offers plus specific paid options give clear budgeting for families.

Use time slots to plan: Saturday midday for brunches like Timo Restaurant’s GourMed Saturday Brunch (Saturdays, 1pm to 4pm; Dhs250 per couple; children below six dine free; additional child Dhs60; beverage package Dhs100), morning dog-friendly activities such as The Duck Hook’s Dhs175 pet-painting workshop, then an evening option like AMARU’s Fiesta Fridays or Lucky Voice karaoke. Having these anchor points makes logistics simple, especially across Dubai Hills, Palm Jumeirah and Al Jaddaf.

A practical risk to note is booking: many venues list fixed-price packages and limited slots, for example Lucky Voice packages (ladies Dhs99, gents Dhs250) and Cé La Vi’s Dhs125 three-course summer menu. If a venue lists a child-price policy, confirm ages and seating when you reserve to avoid unexpected Dhs charges on arrival.

• Saturday brunch window: 1pm to 4pm at Timo
• Pet workshop start: 9am at The Duck Hook
• Dhs10 deal runs until August 30 across participating outlets
• Evening live events often begin after 8pm (AMARU, Lucky Voice)

Timo Restaurant’s GourMed Saturday Brunch is a Mediterranean-themed culinary afternoon at Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel, running every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm with a starting price of Dhs250 per couple. The offer includes live cooking stations and family-friendly entertainment.

The brunch covers cuisine from Syria, Lebanon, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Morocco with Josper-grilled specialties and live music. Practical pricing details in the listing show Dhs250 per couple as the base cost, children below six dine free, additional child Dhs60 each and a free-flow beverage package available for Dhs100 per person. Those exact figures make it straightforward to budget for families and groups.

Plan for busy weekends and reserve ahead by phone; the venue requires booking to secure family seating and any beverage upgrades. If you are comparing brunch value, consider total per-person cost with drinks. A couple choosing the Dhs100 beverage upgrade should add Dhs100 per adult, which raises the effective cost significantly for groups if you expect two adults to drink.

Yes. The Duck Hook at Dubai Hills Golf Club runs a pet-friendly painting workshop where owners can paint portraits of their dogs; the session with breakfast costs Dhs175 per person. Dogs get a dedicated dog menu including duck jerky and dog-friendly ice cream.

The workshop requires registration in advance and a clear photo of your pet so organisers can pre-sketch canvases. The listing specifies breakfast is provided and that the venue’s air-conditioned tent is pet-friendly, which is useful for summer comfort. The Dhs175 price covers the human attendee’s materials and breakfast but confirm whether it covers additional family members or multiple pets when you sign up.

A practical nuance is the requirement to send a clear dog photo to the organiser on Instagram for canvas prep. That means last-minute walk-ins may be turned away or placed on a waitlist. If you plan to bring children or extra guests, check if extra Dhs fees apply per person or per canvas to avoid surprises on the day.

• Event starts at 9am on scheduled Saturdays
• Air-conditioned pet-friendly tent for comfort
• Breakfast included in Dhs175 fee
• Advance registration via Instagram required

The Dhs10 dining deal during Dubai Summer Surprises offers selected dishes for just Dhs10 at more than 170 participating restaurants across the city. The promotion runs until August 30 and is a low-cost way to sample menus.

Under the offer you can purchase specific Dhs10 items in participating restaurants, covering everything from small plates and desserts to drinks. The source lists that the promotion includes more than 170 restaurants, and you must order the Dhs10 item at the venue to get the deal. The practical benefit is clear: for Dhs10 you can try dishes you might otherwise not sample, making it ideal for trying different cuisines during a weekend stroll or mall visit.

Remember the Dhs10 deal is item-specific and not necessarily the full meal; check the participating-item list before you travel. Some premium rooftop menus and set-menu dining experiences such as Cé La Vi’s Dhs125 three-course option are separate offers and not part of the Dhs10 promotion, so verify which menu the Dhs10 item appears on to avoid confusion.

• Offer valid until August 30 (as listed)
• Includes a wide range of dishes and desserts
• Redeem in-venue by ordering the Dhs10 item
• Perfect for trying new cuisines affordably

AMARU Dubai hosts Fiesta Fridays at Souk Madinat Jumeirah with live tango and salsa performances every Friday from 8.30pm; the night combines dance with Latin-inspired dishes and cocktails. The event is an evening entertainment option ideal for dance and music lovers.

The source lists AMARU’s Fiesta Fridays as a weekly event beginning at 8.30pm, offering live performances and signature dishes. While no specific entry price is detailed in the listing, consider pairing the evening with a rooftop dinner such as Cé La Vi’s Dhs250 tasting menu or its Dhs125 summer menu to create a full-night plan. Using known prices from other venues helps you budget: for example, a three-course meal at Cé La Vi is Dhs125 and a tasting menu option is Dhs250.

A planning detail to note is transport and dress code; Souk Madinat Jumeirah is busy on Friday evenings, so allow additional travel time. If you are organising a group, check AMARU’s reservation policy and whether the venue has set-menu events on special dates, which may replace a la carte choices and change per-person spend.

• Weekly event: Friday 8.30pm start
• Live tango and salsa performances
• Signature cocktails complement the menu
• Best suited for adults and evening groups

Lucky Voice’s Frat Party night promises karaoke, themed entertainment and DJ sets, with package pricing listed at Dhs99 for a ladies package and Dhs250 for a gents package that includes food and selected house beverages. The event is high energy and geared to groups.

The package detail in the source shows a ladies package at Dhs99 for three hours of unlimited selected house beverages and one entrée, while gents can expect Dhs250 packages covering unlimited selected food and house beverages. That clear per-person pricing helps groups choose options and understand total cost before arrival. Guest DJs such as Phyz and Blackout Mayhem were named for the event, indicating a party atmosphere rather than a quiet karaoke night.

A booking insight: venues with timed packages often enforce start times and drink inclusions strictly, so confirm which beverages are included in the ‘selected’ list to avoid extra Dhs charges at the bar. If your group has specific dietary needs, ask about entrée options linked to the package to ensure the Dhs99 or Dhs250 covers suitable choices.

• Party style: DJ sets and games
• Duration: three-hour packages common
• Book early for group tables
• Check entrée and beverage inclusions

Aprons & Hammers hosts a Saturday Night Quiz on Palm Jumeirah with SpeedQuizzing, music bingo and free entry, starting at 7.30pm; the night includes an extended happy hour with 30% off selected beverages. Prizes include brunches and backstage passes.

The source lists the quiz as free entry at Aprons & Hammers Beach House, Shoreline 10, Palm Jumeirah on Saturday at 7.30pm. The event offers SpeedQuizzing and music bingo, plus extended happy hour pricing providing 30 percent off selected beverages and nibbles during the quiz. Prize incentives such as brunch for four or Family Affair backstage passes give extra motivation to attend, and free entry means overall spend depends mainly on drinks or food you order.

A timing tip: free events can still fill quickly, and if you rely on happy hour savings (30% off) check which items are included. For groups planning to win prizes like brunch vouchers, confirm prize redemption windows and any blackout dates to understand real value before competing.

• Format: SpeedQuizzing and music bingo
• Prizes include brunches and backstage passes
• Best to arrive early for seating
• Free entry reduces event cost to food/drinks

Tocha at Banyan Tree Dubai offers a Japanese-inspired afternoon tea daily from 2pm to 5pm, with a set price of Dhs180 per person for a selection of handcrafted sweet and savoury treats. It is a calm, refined option for an afternoon pause.

The listing gives a clear per-person price of Dhs180 and describes the experience as inspired by a traditional Japanese teahouse. You can choose between Japanese or international afternoon tea menus, both presented in an elegant setting. The Dhs180 price provides a straightforward reference for solo visitors or small groups considering a mid-afternoon treat away from busier brunch scenes.

If you prioritise atmosphere, Tocha’s quieter daily schedule makes midweek or early afternoon visits easier for secure seating. For weekend afternoons, reserve in advance to avoid waits; while Dhs180 is a fixed reference, additional specialty teas or beverage pairings may add Dhs charges, so confirm inclusions before you sit down.

• Choice of Japanese or international menus
• Daily service from 2pm to 5pm
• Best for quiet, refined afternoons
• Check beverage inclusions to avoid extra Dhs

This compact guide highlights eight weekend options across key Dubai locations with clear pricing to plan by: Timo’s brunch (Dhs250 per couple), The Duck Hook workshop (Dhs175 pp), Cé La Vi menus (Dhs125 to Dhs250) and the Dhs10 dining deals at more than 170 restaurants. Use those figures to pick a mix of low-cost tasting and paid experiences and reserve early where prices and availability suggest limited places.