Our picks of the hottest happenings over the long weekend.
If you thought the UAE was quiet in September, think again. With a long weekend ahead, Dubai is filled with exciting things to do. So, whether you’re after new restaurant openings, bountiful brunches or swimming – at night, no less – here’s what’s on the menu for culinary exploration this weekend in Dubai.
Friday 5 September
Treat yourself to lunch at SOHUM Wellness Café
Find a marvellous midday reset, head to SOHUM Wellness Sanctuary in Al Quoz, now serving a nourishing Business Lunch. Expect open-flame cooking and vibrant plates: Crispy Oyster Mushroom Bao with kewpie and pickles, Spaghetti with Eggplant Marinara and Macadamia “Parmesan,” and a Tomato Pizza with Garlic Confit and Cashew Mozzarella. Finish with mango sticky rice and coconut cream. Available Monday to Friday, from 12pm to 3pm. AED 99 for three courses.
GO: Visit https://sohumwellness.ae for more information.
Bryan Adams brings #SHOTBYADAMS to Dubai
JD Malat Gallery Dubai presents #SHOTBYADAMS, a new photography series by Bryan Adams that reimagines portraiture with layers of multicoloured plexiglass. Playing on the idea of “rose-tinted glasses,” Adams places coloured sheets between the lens and the subject to create dreamlike shifts in tone and perception. Expect fresh takes on cultural figures, including Amy Winehouse, Kate Moss and Mick Jagger, with the work inviting viewers to question identity, fame and visual truth. The exhibition is open daily until 30 September.
GO: Visit www.jdmalat.com for more information.
Dine at Moonrise
In recent years, there has been much fanfare surrounding Moonrise and its young chef Solemann Haddad. Located on the rooftop of Eden House on Sheikh Zayed Road, Moonrise features seasonally changing tasting menus that span Middle Eastern flavours, ingredients and cooking techniques. Chef Solemann, who was born and raised in Dubai and draws inspiration from his own multicultural background, captures Dubai’s diversity through his carefully crafted dishes such as 90’s Alfredo, Fattoush Nam Jim and a superb twist on a Grilled Cheese. Exclusivity is the name of this game, as two seatings are available each night.
GO: Visit www.moon-rise.xyz for reservations and more information.
Saturday 6 September
Experience the Harry Potter Film Concert Series
Making its UAE debut, the Harry Potter Film Concert Series will take over Etihad Arena from 6 and 7 September 2025. This immersive experience pairs the fantastic films with a live orchestral performance, promising a nostalgic journey through the Wizarding World. Audiences will relive Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on opening night, followed by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets the next evening. Both scores will be brought to life by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, performing the beloved, Grammy-nominated music of John Williams.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Experience the new tasting menu at Avatara
Avatara, the MICHELIN-starred Indian vegetarian restaurant, unveils a bold 17-course tasting menu marking a shift from its sattvic roots. Now incorporating garlic, onion, and mushrooms, the new experience from Chef Rahul Rana blends tradition with innovation. Highlights include a Jackfruit Kebab in Kafir Curry and a whimsical Jalebi finale. AED 693 per person.
GO: Visit avatara.ae for more information.
Sip your way through a disco-era cocktail menu
This weekend in Dubai, Galaxy Bar unveils a 12-drink collection inspired by Studio 54. Led by Beverage Director Krystian Hordejuk, the team channels dancefloor energy into modern, precise serves. Highlights include Disco Inferno (mezcal, rum, pistachio, charcoal honey) with a slow-burn finish; Funkytown, a zippy Paper Plane remix with bourbon, calamansi and raspberry; and Daddy Cool, a playful Martini twist of vodka, strawberry and tomato. Three signatures arrive as 00 options: Ring My Bell, Knock on Wood and Boogie Oogie, delivering depth via pairings like peach–apricot–white chocolate, cardamom–hazelnut, and guava–fennel.
GO: Visit www.galaxy-bar.com for more information.
Sunday 7 September
Try the new tasting menu at Il Borro Tuscan Bistro
Il Borro Tuscan Bistro Dubai strengthens its connection to the 1,000-year-old Il Borro estate with the introduction of two tasting menus. Crafted by Chef Stefano Giovannetti, the vegetarian Radici and the meat-focused Maremma menus highlight Tuscan produce, technique and terroir through a modern lens. Radici offers plant-forward plates that emphasise balance and clarity, while Maremma is more rustic, celebrating hearty cuts and countryside traditions. Both menus use seasonal, sustainably sourced ingredients and are available for lunch and dinner.
GO: Call 04 275 2555 for more information.
See AP Dhillon live in Dubai
Dubai, brace yourselves for the ultimate groove fest, as AP Dhillon is set to hit the stage at Coca-Cola Arena this September. The singer straddles Punjabi roots and Western influences, fusing hip-hop, pop, and R&B into a uniquely soulful sound. His breakthrough came with the release of the chart-topping single “Brown Munde” in 2020, propelling him straight into stardom. Since then, AP Dhillon has been on a roll, churning out hits like “Excuses” and “With You.” With over five billion streams across all platforms, it’s safe to say you won’t want to miss this live performance this weekend in Dubai.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Watch Michael Lives Forever at Dubai Opera
Grab your moonwalking shoes. For one night only, Dubai Opera will transform into a dancefloor of nostalgia in honour of the King of Pop. Taking place on Sunday, 7 September, Michael Lives Forever promises the world’s biggest Michael Jackson tribute show. The show is a full-scale spectacle led by Rodrigo Teaser, a global Michael Jackson tribute sensation. Watch him channel Michael Jackson’s energy, voice, style, and larger-than-life stage presence while performing Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, from Beat It and Billie Jean to Smooth Criminal and Thriller.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
