Our picks of the hottest happenings this weekend.
If you thought the UAE was quiet in January, think again! Dubai is filled with exciting things to do. So, whether you’re after dining, staycations, spas or swimming – here’s what you need to know.
Friday 23 January
Grab a bite at Middle Child
Arguably one of Dubai’s hottest dining destinations right now, Middle Child has been named the winner of the One To Watch Award as part of the Middle East and North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. The 40-seat neighbourhood eatery, founded by Lynn Hazim, sits in the heart of Alserkal Avenue. Alongside the tables, shelves are stocked with carefully curated cookbooks, gourmet pantry staples and small-batch condiments, reflecting Hazim’s personal taste and culinary curiosity. In the kitchen, the focus is on comfort-driven, seasonal cooking, with quality produce and thoughtful technique leading the way. Standouts include Eggplant Caponata with fresh mozzarella and warm focaccia, a nostalgic Sour Cream and Onion Dip served with Ritz crackers, and Seabass Crudo dressed with lime, olive oil and fresh coriander. Heartier plates include Pappardelle Bolognese with slow-cooked beef ragù and Striploin Steak topped with sweet, jammy onions.
GO: Follow @middlechildmiddlechild on Instagram for more information.
Book ahead for LANY’s world tour
LANY brings its Soft World Tour to Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena in early 2026. Pronounced Lay-nee, the Los Angeles alt-pop trio formed in 2014 and is fronted by Paul Klein, whose honest songwriting and melodic hooks have helped the band build a global fanbase. Joined by Les Priest on guitar and Jake Goss on drums, LANY has racked up hits including “ILYSB,” “Malibu Nights,” and “Super Far,” delivering a sound that balances nostalgic pop with modern alt-rock energy.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
See A. R. Rahman live in Abu Dhabi
A. R. Rahman returns to the UAE with a blockbuster concert at Etihad Arena on 23 January 2026, promising a journey through a catalogue that has shaped modern film music. Recent setlists have mixed crowd-pleasers with deeper cuts, so expect favourites such as “Jai Ho,” “Chaiyya Chaiyya,” “Kun Faya Kun,” and “Vande Mataram,” delivered with the cinematic scale that has earned him two Academy Awards, two Grammys, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. Beyond the headlines, his era-defining scores for Rangeela, Dil Se…, Taal, and Lagaan remain a reminder of why he’s often dubbed the “Mozart of Madras.”
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Saturday 24 January
Try the new BBQ brunch at Yalumba
Yalumba at Le Méridien Dubai is kicking off a new Saturday ritual with an Australian-inspired brunch. Expect live-grilled cuts and Bushman’s outback-style meats, plus interactive stations including DIY pavlovas. The vibe is lifted by lively Aussie rock, leaning into Yalumba’s spirit of shared celebration, communal dining and warm hospitality. Available on Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm. Packages from AED 289.
GO: Visit www.sevenrooms.com for more information.
Check out Cinema & Dining in Sharjah
Bait Elowal in the Heart of Sharjah is spotlighting Abbas Kiarostami’s Taste of Cherry as part of its Cinema and Dining collaboration with Cinema Akil, supported by Xposure International Photography Festival. Screening on 24 January, the 1997 Palme d’Or winner follows a man driving the outskirts of Tehran in search of someone to carry out a final request, unfolding with Kiarostami’s signature restraint, moral ambiguity, and quiet humanity. A courtyard dinner is paired to echo the film’s mood.
GO: Visit https://baitelowal.com for more information.
See Tom Odell live in Dubai
Known for emotional songwriting and piano-driven performances, Tom Odell’s Dubai show promises a night that hits right in the feels. Born in Chichester, England, Odell began writing songs in his teens before breaking through with Long Way Down in 2013. Its standout single “Another Love” later went viral, introducing his music to a whole new generation. Expect a set that leans into his biggest moments, from “Can’t Pretend” and “Heal” to “Magnetised” and “I Know,” delivered with the raw, open-hearted intensity he’s known for.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Sunday 25 January
Visit Quoz Arts Fest
It’s time to paint the town. Celebrating the region’s arts and culture, Quoz Arts Fest brings together homegrown and international talent through installations, live music, performances, exhibitions, workshops, food experiences and community-led encounters for all ages. Palestinian hip-hop collective DAM and Lebanese singer-songwriter Yasmine Hamdan lead the bill with powerful sets shaped by deep-rooted artistic legacies. Elsewhere, French artist Jean Baptiste André presents Floe, a nomadic project combining a sculptural stage by Vincent Lamouroux with choreographed performance, blurring the lines between visual art and movement. For the first time in Dubai, Numen/For Use brings its acclaimed TAPE project to Concrete, unfolding as a cocoon-like, site-specific structure inspired by patterns in nature and built through a self-forming process of stretched strands and layered elastic tape.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Take in a sky-high setting at Look Up
Look Up at La Ville Hotel and Suites, City Walk returns for the new season with a refreshed rooftop pool and lounge inspired by Mediterranean coastal living. Designed to move seamlessly from laidback daytime lounging to golden-hour aperitivo and unhurried evenings, the space pairs Mediterranean plates with curated cocktails and sweeping Burj Khalifa views. As the sun dips, DJ-led sounds set the tone for a relaxed end to the weekend.
GO: Visit https://livelaville.com for more information.
Dine on the Saadiyat shoreline
Kai Beach brings a relaxed Sunday brunch to the shore, where sunshine, lemonade and laughter set the mood. The family-friendly experience includes a lemonade bar and a coastal spread of favourites, from fattoush and hummus to mussels and prawns. Mains range from beef tenderloin and chicken shish tawook to lamb rack, followed by lemon-infused desserts and an exotic fruit platter. Available on Sundays from 12:30pm to 4pm. AED 250 (soft beverages) and AED 300 (house beverages).
GO: Call 050 2835 795 for more information.
