Our picks of the hottest happenings this weekend.
The festive season has well and truly arrived, and the second weekend in December brings memorable meals and unrivalled entertainment experiences. Read on for our picks of the week.
Friday 12 December
Enjoy a festive feast
The FACT award-winning Cucina is turning up the festive cheer this December with a smooth, swinging soundtrack. Every Friday and Saturday, the restaurant comes alive with live jazz and Christmas classics, delivered in unmistakable Bublé style. Settle in with generous bowls of pasta, carve into hearty mains or share a tiramisu as the holiday atmosphere builds around you. Two hours of free-flowing Negroni, Spritz and house wine keep the mood bright. Available on Fridays and Saturdays throughout December, from 8pm to midnight. AED 195 per person (two hours of unlimited drinks and a grazing board).
GO: Visit cucinadubai.com for more information.
Dine at a FACT award winner
The FACT award-winning Sirene by Gaia ushers in the season with Aegean-inspired specials that celebrate coastal flavours. Highlights include Tempura Oysters with lemon butter and herbs, Grilled Lobster with butter clams and botarga, a rich Crab Orzo with 450g king crab legs in tomato and basil sauce, and a fresh Tuna Salad with pickled tuna, green beans, iceberg lettuce, eggs, tomatoes and grain mustard dressing. For celebratory gatherings, a dedicated set menu is priced at AED 1,200 per person.
GO: Call 04 834 0303 for more information.
Witness Kaytranada on the decks
Kaytranada will kick off Sole DXB 2025 in signature style. Born Louis Kevin Celestin, the Haitian Canadian DJ and producer first broke through with a viral remix of Janet Jackson’s “If” and has been on an upward trajectory ever since. His debut album, 99.9%, picked up the Polaris Music Prize and a Juno Award, while follow-up BUBBA debuted at number one on Billboard’s Electronic Albums chart and earned two GRAMMY Awards, including Best Dance Album. Renowned for collaborative alchemy, he has worked with Aminé, H.E.R., Kali Uchis and Tinashe on the 2023 Kaytraminé project.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Saturday 13 December
Tuck into a fancy French brunch
Say bonjour to a new brunch experience at the FACT award-winning Nahaam, as La Belle Vie brings the beauty, flavour and flair of France to Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. Expect refined bistro classics, perfectly grilled favourites and the freshest seafood, all served in a relaxed yet elegant setting. Sip, savour and soak up the effortless charm of a French-style dining escape, complete with live entertainment to set the mood. Available on Saturdays, from 1pm to 4pm. AED 395 (soft beverages), AED 525 (house beverages) and AED 695 (premium beverages).
GO: Visit www.sevenrooms.com for more information.
Watch Tyla perform at Sole DXB
Tyla takes to the stage on the second night of Sole DXB, bringing her amapiano pop fusion to Dubai. The South African star broke out globally with “Water,” which became a worldwide phenomenon, topping charts, surpassing one billion streams, and winning the first-ever GRAMMY for Best African Music Performance. In 2024, her self-titled debut album delivered more hits and standout collaborations with Tems and Travis Scott, including “Push 2 Start” and “Truth Or Dare.”
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
See Franz Ferdinand live at Coca-Cola Arena
Glasgow rockers Franz Ferdinand are heading back to Dubai, ready to take over the Coca-Cola Arena on 13 December. Expect an epic night of modern rock that will have fans on their feet from the first chord. With more than two decades of music behind them, Alex Kapranos, Bob Hardy, Julian Corrie, Dino Bardor, and Audrey Tait will power through tracks from their latest album, The Human Fear, alongside the classics you know and love. If you missed them when they last played in the UAE, this is your second chance.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Sunday 14 December
Visit the Salmon Guru beach takeover
For two days only, the wildly imaginative minds behind Salmon Guru are packing up their neon energy, out-of-this-world flavours and signature figurines for a full takeover of Lumi Beach in Umm Al Quwain. The Salmon Guru beach takeover will transform Lumi’s sun-kissed shoreline into an immersive seaside cocktail playground. Expect signature serves in quirky vessels, theatrical presentations, surprise moments, and the full lineup of Gurus, Elie, Andri, MJ, Tonny, and Paul shaking things up beachside. Available on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, from 10am to 11pm. AED 150 (online) or AED 175 (at the door).
GO: Follow @salmongurudubai on Instagram for more information.
Party with Pitbull at Coca-Cola Arena
Pitbull is set to light up the stage at Coca-Cola Arena, bringing his I’m Back Tour to Dubai. Born Armando Christian Perez, he emerged from Miami’s hip hop scene in the early 2000s before skyrocketing to global fame. With a sound that blends Latin rhythms and pop hooks, he is behind party playlist staples such as “Give Me Everything,” “Timber,” “Fireball,” “Don’t Stop the Party”, and “Time of Our Lives.” Expect a high-energy night packed with hits and feel-good nostalgia.
GO: Visit coca-cola-arena.com for more information.
See Miguel at Sole DXB
To close Sole DXB 2025, R&B icon Miguel will perform on Sunday, 14 December. Known for the GRAMMY Award-winning “Adorn” and smooth singles like “Coffee,” “How Many Drinks,” “Simple Things” and “Sky Walker,” he promises to wrap up the weekend in superb style. His debut album, All I Want Is You, introduced “Sure Thing,” a track that continues to resonate more than a decade later. Now entering a new chapter with his fifth studio album CAOS, he explores grief, love, identity and rebirth in his most vulnerable and experimental work to date.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
