Tired of Googling “Things to do in Dubai” every weekend, only to mindlessly scroll through overwhelming options before surrendering to your faithful bed and Netflix? We’ve been there; matching the pace with Dubai’s eternally expanding dining scene, art exhibits, weekend brunches, and outdoor adventures can be daunting. Keen on making your weekends more exciting?
Discover Buro’s Weekend Playbook, your secret decoder, to unlock the very best Dubai has to offer.
A FLOATING MEDITATION SESSION AT SEA
If you’re craving something out of the ordinary this weekend, swap crowded brunch tables for a floating meditation session off Palm Jumeirah. Every Sunday night, Immersiv Collective gathers up to 50 people, equips them with velvet-topped lilos and noise-cancelling headphones, and sends them drifting into the Arabian Gulf under the moonlight. Guided breathwork rituals and calming music set the pace, with the ocean itself becoming part of the meditation. The evening begins on the sand with a grounding somatic activation, and ends with a tea ceremony under the stars, reminding us that slowing down can feel just as indulgent as speeding up. Tickets are Dhs350 per person, with the meeting point at The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery.
VISIT THE SIRO X COMMON GROUNDS POP-UP
If your weekend plans need a healthy-but-still-indulgent twist, head to SIRO One Za’abeel where the Refuel Bar has been taken over by local favourite Common Grounds. The two-month pop-up is less about “grab and go” and more about resetting the way you think about wellness dining. Expect macro-counted smoothies, protein-packed flatbreads and wraps, plus breakfast staples. Of course, it wouldn’t be Common Grounds without their cult-level coffee menu: velvety flat whites, Spanish lattes, and freshly roasted brews are all on hand to keep your energy up between workouts, meetings, or just a leisurely weekend wander. It’s the kind of pop-up that makes “eating well” feel more like a treat than a chore.
GUARDIANS OF WATER FESTIVAL AT EXPO CITY
This weekend, Expo City is making water the star of the show with its Guardians of Water Festival at Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion. Families can dive into two weekends of hands-on fun — from storytelling adventures that bring conservation to life, to workshops where kids can try their hands at water filtration, or even join in on games. Beyond the games, there’s a chance to explore how desalination turns seawater into something drinkable and why camels are nature’s best survivalists. Tickets start at just Dhs50 (free for kids under 12), and with Terra’s net-zero design as the backdrop, it’s a rare mix of play, learning, and a gentle nudge to rethink how we treat the planet’s most vital resource.
EMILY IN PARIS AFTERNOON TEA
If your weekend calls for a little escapism, Paramount Hotel Midtown has just the ticket — an Emily in Paris afternoon tea that feels like a mini getaway to the City of Light. Served from 3pm to 6pm, the set for two brings a Paris-meets-St.Tropez vibe to Dubai with buttery croissants, jewel-toned macarons, savoury bites, and refreshing drinks, all styled with just the right dose of chic. Whether you’re planning a day out with friends or indulging in a date-worthy afternoon, it’s the kind of experience that lets you play out your own Parisian fantasy without leaving the city.
VISIT A CAR MUSEUM
Car lovers, this one’s for you — skip the usual weekend mall crawl and head to Alserkal Avenue where Nostalgia Classic Cars turns a gallery stroll into a petrolhead’s dream. The showroom doubles as a mini-museum, showcasing everything from growling American muscle to sleek European icons, with Ferraris, Porsches, BMWs, and Mercedes lined up like art pieces on wheels. For just Dhs50 (free if you’ve got kids under 10 in tow), you can get up close with automotive history while soaking in Alserkal’s creative buzz. It’s the kind of detour that makes even non-drivers stop and stare.
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