Things to Do in Dubai This Weekend: 22-24 May 2026

Angel In Dubai
1 day ago
2 min read

Dubai doesn't do quiet weekends — and 22 to 24 May is no exception. A long lazy brunch, a night at the opera, or somewhere freezing cold to beat the heat: here's exactly how I'd spend it. Book ahead — the good ones fill fast.

Brunch, but make it a game

Pizza Express Live is running a Brunch Quiz-aoke on 23 May — music trivia, bingo and karaoke over a three-course brunch with unlimited drinks. Loud, silly, and exactly the plan that becomes a whole afternoon.

Live music & big nights

Dubai skyline at night — Dubai's nights are the main event.

Brazilian pop legend Lulu Santos plays Dubai Opera (map) on 23 May. Want adrenaline instead? PFL MENA 9 lands at Coca-Cola Arena (map) on 24 May, and rooftops like Garden on 8 screen the season's biggest football with a roast.

Beat the heat

Keep one indoor card up your sleeve: the sub-zero lounge at Times Square Center (map) sits at a frosty -6°C — perch on an ice throne with a hot chocolate. Worth it for the aircon alone.

For the little ones

Movenpick hands out complimentary ice cream on 23 May, 10am–noon, at spots including Jumeirah Beach and Bur Dubai — an easy, free, sweet start to the day.

Get outside — early

Jumeirah Beach, Dubai — Sunrise beach yoga beats any alarm.

Beat the sun with a free 7am beach yoga session on Jumeirah Beach (map) on 23 May. With more time, drive to Al Zorah Ajman (map) and kayak the mangroves — 100+ species of birds, fish and flora.

End on something sweet

For an only-in-Dubai flex, KAYALI turned its EDEN fragrance line into sorbet with Bonbon Cafe — peach, apple, lychee and pear — popping up through 7 June.

My rule for a Dubai summer weekend: mornings outdoors, afternoons somewhere cold, evenings out.

Angel's quick picks

Best for couples — Lulu Santos at Dubai Opera (map)
Best free thing — sunrise yoga on Jumeirah Beach (map)
Best cool-down — the -6°C lounge at Times Square Center (map)

Roundup informed by Time Out Dubai, What's On and Platinumlist — timings change, so check the venue. Photos: Creative Commons / public domain via Flickr & Openverse.

Want more? See my most Insta-worthy spots in JBR and my summer indoor guide. Brands in Dubai — let's work together.