Dubai things to do this weekend: Top 10 activities

Dubai weekend activities offer something for every mood, from sunrise desert rides to late-night DJ sets across the city this coming weekend.

Weekends in Dubai swing between restful escapes and high-energy nights, so this guide lists 10 specific activities you can book or turn up to now. Each entry includes when it runs, the concrete cost or offer from the source (for example Dhs250 for a desert ride, Dhs580 for two at afternoon tea, Dhs99 pool days) and what to expect so you can pick based on budget and company.

Whether you want a family roast, a branded spa day, a free matcha, or an Ibiza-style DJ night, these options cover Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Atlantis The Royal, Dubai Creek, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and more with direct price points and timings to help you decide quickly.

Ride through the golden dunes at Al Maha Resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve; horseback sessions cost Dhs250 per person.

Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa runs guided horseback rides daily at 5.45am or 5.30pm, led by trained instructors so both beginners and experienced riders can join. The session price listed is Dhs250 per person, and the reserve setting means you’ll see wildlife and untouched dune landscapes during the cooler hours.

Book ahead because spaces fill quickly and the reserve has visitor limits to protect the environment. Note that desert temperatures and wind can change, so check the resort schedule before you go and confirm whether the listed 5.45am and 5.30pm slots are available.

• Location: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
• Guided by experienced instructors
• Best at sunrise or sunset
• Bring closed-toe shoes

The Royal Afternoon Tea at Atlantis The Royal costs Dhs580 for two and runs Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm.

The offering includes 11 sweet and savoury items, a custom mocktail, unlimited hot drinks and a takeaway gift while you enjoy Skyblaze Fountain views from The Royal Tearoom. The Dhs580 price covers two people, making it a premium but shareable experience for couples or friends who want a luxury afternoon without a la carte unpredictability.

Keep in mind that premium hotel experiences like this sell out on weekends and holidays, so reserve early to secure a Saturday slot. Special events or fountain schedules may affect views, so confirm timings with the venue before arrival.

• Venue: The Royal Tearoom, Atlantis The Royal
• Best for couples and celebratory outings
• Book for Saturday afternoons
• Great photo opportunities

Lakeview at Dubai Creek Clubhouse serves a family-friendly Sunday roast every Sunday from 12pm to 7pm.

The roast menu features premium meats such as beef, lamb, chicken and pork belly plus traditional trimmings and desserts like Sticky Toffee Pudding; service runs throughout the afternoon so families can arrive early or later in the day. The setting by Dubai Creek provides relaxed waterside views and space for kids to move around between courses.

Because the venue is casual yet popular with families, expect a lively atmosphere and book a table for larger groups. If you plan to combine a roast with evening plans, confirm service end times since kitchen and seating policies can change on special dates.

• Family friendly atmosphere
• Wide roast selection
• Picturesque Dubai Creek location
• Good for large groups

Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club offers a pool day for Dhs99 per person with the amount redeemable on food and drinks.

The Dhs99 access fee is fully redeemable, kids swim free, and the pool day runs daily from 11am to 7pm, making it an affordable marina escape where the upfront cost can be used on snacks or a light lunch. Prior reservations are recommended to secure a daybed or preferred seating, especially on weekends when marina views attract families and groups.

Consider that the redeemable fee means you effectively pay only for what you spend beyond the Dhs99, so it’s a practical option if you plan to order food or drinks. Check cancellation and booking policies if your party includes children who may nap or need flexible timing.

• Location: Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club
• Great for families and friends
• Book ahead for weekend slots
• Redeemable fee provides flexibility

Crescendo’s Fork & Cork family brunch runs Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm with prices from Dhs349 per adult for the soft beverage package.

Options include Dhs349 for the soft beverage package and Dhs449 for the house beverage package, children aged 5 to 12 priced at Dhs100 and kids under 5 dining free, making the brunch explicitly family-friendly and budget-savvy for households. The venue emphasises a relaxed atmosphere and the pricing tiers let adults choose between non-alcoholic and alcoholic packages depending on preference.

If you have young children, the free dining for under 5s is a clear benefit, but larger parties should reserve in advance to secure family seating. Review the beverage package inclusions so you know whether soft drinks or house wines and beers are covered under your chosen rate.

• Venue: Crescendo
• Family-friendly seating
• Package choices for different budgets
• Reserve for larger families

Entry prices for Robin Schulz at Bohemia Beach Club start at Dhs100 for ladies on the dance floor and Dhs150 for gents, with VIP options up to Dhs800.

The event on Saturday includes dance floor entry priced at Dhs100 for ladies and Dhs150 for gents, drink packages at Dhs195 for three drinks and Dhs245 for five drinks, a VIP Experience at Dhs400 (fully redeemable) and a Backstage VIP package at Dhs800 which includes eight premium drinks. Robin Schulz is a high-profile international DJ with mass appeal, so the layered pricing lets casual visitors choose a lower-cost entry or upgrade to a fully redeemable VIP evening.

Expect busy doors and queues for headline DJ nights, so buy or reserve early if you want a guaranteed entry tier. If you select the redeemable VIP Dhs400 tier, confirm how the redemption works against food and drinks to avoid surprises.

• Venue: Bohemia Beach Club, FIVE Palm Jumeirah
• When: Saturday from 6pm
• High-energy DJ set by Robin Schulz
• Book VIP early for best value

One&Only Royal Mirage is offering UAE resident packages that include complimentary beach and pool access plus discounts such as 25% off beverages and 30% off spa treatments.

The resident offer lists daily breakfast, 25% off beverages, 30% off One&Only Spa treatments, same-day cancellation, and 50% off laundry services; the Half-Board upgrade also adds dinner alongside breakfast. These tangible discounts make a short resort stay more affordable for families who want beach access and kids’ club inclusion without full-board prices.

Check eligibility and availability since the offer is for UAE residents and subject to change. Confirm what the resident rate covers, whether kids’ club access is included free, and whether breakfast times align with your family’s schedule to get the full value from the 25% and 30% discounts.

• Venue: One&Only Royal Mirage
• Offers reserved for UAE residents
• Complimentary beach and pool access
• Half-Board option available

Julith in Al Quoz is offering complimentary matcha drinks on Matcha Day while stocks last, with service starting at 9am.

The promotion includes three matcha varieties: Cantaloupe Matcha, Roasted Matcha Cold Foam, and Carrot Cake Matcha Latte, and runs on Saturday 2nd May from 9am until stocks last; the drinks are complimentary through the promotion so cost is listed as complimentary rather than a Dhs figure. The event is in partnership with Oatly, and the offer is limited to supply, so early arrival increases the chance of getting a free drink.

Because this is a one-day promotion, check Julith’s opening hours and the expected crowd level if you want a specific matcha style. Complimentary offers often include limited sizes or flavours, so be prepared that your first-choice matcha may sell out.

• Three matcha options available
• While stocks last
• Great for matcha fans
• Arrive early to avoid disappointment

Brunch Without Borders at Dukes the Palm runs Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm with tiered prices from Dhs180 for the soft package, Dhs325 for the house package and Dhs350 for the bubbly package.

Dukes the Palm’s Brunch Without Borders also grants access to resort facilities such as the infinity pool and lazy river. For comparison, Atlantis The Royal’s Afternoon Tea is Dhs580 for two and Crescendo’s Fork & Cork brunch is Dhs349 for the soft package or Dhs449 for the house package, giving clear price bands across different weekend formats and budgets.

Pick Dukes if you want resort pool access with your brunch for Dhs180 to Dhs350 depending on package. Always check whether resort facility access requires additional registration or a wristband at the pool entrance even when brunch includes resort use.

• Dukes includes access to pool and lazy river
• Tiered pricing suits different budgets
• Kids pricing varies by venue
• Check resort facility terms

Sound Dè Favela at Monkey Bar promises high-energy DJ sets mixing baile funk, amapiano, afro-house and global electronic beats, with the night running from 6pm into the early hours.

The event on Saturday’s Room #3 celebrates cross-cultural music and community energy inspired by Brazilian favela culture; DJs play a range of dance genres and the vibe is rooftop and late-night focused. While the source does not list an entry price, the cultural event emphasises music, fashion and community connection rather than formal dining or ticketed hospitality tiers.

Expect a lively crowd and rooftop energy, so arrive early if you want a preferred spot and check Monkey Bar’s social channels for any entry terms or guest lists. If you plan to combine the night with dinner, consider venues that published set menus earlier in the guide to avoid late arrival surprises.

• High-energy rooftop event
• Expect diverse DJ sets
• Arrive early for best views
• Check social channels for updates

This list of 10 Dubai weekend activities gives concrete choices across budgets and moods, from a Dhs250 desert horseback ride to Dhs580 for two at Atlantis’s afternoon tea and Dhs99 redeemable pool days. Use the stated times and prices to compare options quickly and pick the experiences that match your group size, preferred atmosphere and weekend schedule.