Discover this month’s best happenings around Dubai, from shopping festivals to full-moon yoga sessions, farmers’ markets, and more.
July 1 to 29: Return to Ripe Market
The city’s favorite market continues indoors for the remainder of the scorching Dubai summer. Spend your time leisurely browsing interesting craft stalls and picking up fresh, organic, and locally sourced produce provided by passionate business owners. The summer edition of Ripe Market will run every Saturday until the end of October at Times Square Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
July 1 to August 12: Shop ‘Til You Drop
Six weeks of sales – need we say more? The annual Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival returns on July 1st, featuring discounts and promotions by malls, entertainment venues, theme parks, and even hotels across town. Expect these to be accompanied by stage shows, interactive workshops, giveaways, and more, making the scorching temperatures that much more bearable.
July 1 to September 30: Celebrate Literature
Head to Alserkal Avenue for Literaturhaus at Nadi, a literary event that seeks to revive the 19th-century salon, during which contemporary questions were debated alongside artistic and cultural initiatives. Here, international and regional authors, poets, publishers, translators, and musicians will gather every Saturday to share their ideas through readings, discussions, and performances. Find the full program here.
July 2 to 30: Feast Happy
Book a spot on the Middle Eastern Food Pilgrimage by Frying Pan Adventures, a culinary tour designed to introduce participants to the best of Emirati, Palestinian, Lebanese, and Iranian cuisine via a walking trail in Deira. It will include tastings at two restaurants, a streetside stall, a baklava shop, and a specialty food store – all accented with gastro trivia galore. To see the schedule and learn more, click here.
July 6 to September 2: Dine Curbside
Still seeking a novelty factor with your next meal? Enter: Truckers Summer Warehouse. A whopping 15 homegrown food trucks will gather in Hall 8 of the Dubai World Trade Centre every Wednesday to Saturday, serving eats from across the globe. Also on the menu? Live music, DJs, cooking stations, and loads more.
July 7: Practice Your Downward Dog in a Rainforest – in Dubai
In celebration of its second anniversary, 136.1 Yoga Studio is hosting a yoga and meditation event – wait for it – in the middle of Dubai’s very own indoor rainforest, Green Planet. This is the closest you’ll get to experiencing the serenity that comes with practicing amidst lush greenery in our Emirate, so book a spot while you still can by calling (+971) 4 416 287.
July 8: Bend, Stretch, Twist
To celebrate the full moon, join new resident yoga instructor Melanie Swan as she guides you through your practice on the beach of Fairmont The Palm. The one-hour session will be followed by 30 soothing minutes of meditation. For bookings or more information, call (+971) 4 457 3330 or send an e-mail to palm.healthclub@fairmont.com.
July 12: Grab a Bike
Spinning, epic sounds, wall graffiti, and Essentially juice shots come together for a one-off, 45-minute session as Hip Hop Karaoke Dubai partners with indoor cycling studio Cadence Theory. Kicking off at 8 p.m., this free event will see live performances and a DJ set spur riders on as they challenge themselves to high-impact cycling. Spaces are limited, so sign up early by sending an e-mail to info@cadencetheory.com.
July 14: Work on Your Je Ne Sais Quoi
What better time than Bastille Day to work on your Parisian-inspired look? Click here for the best style lessons we can learn from iconic French women and here to discover the two French style icons you should keep on your radar. Before you get started, you’ll also want to pick up a few tips from Jane Birkin. As for the best place to take your new basket bag for a spin? Try one of Savoir Flair’s favorite French restaurants in Dubai, from Bistro des Arts to La Petite Maison.
July 27 to 28: Support the Arts
Explore the breakdown of a couple’s marriage through an evening of toxic games, after-party drinks, and truth-telling in James Macdonald’s critically acclaimed production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? It stars Imelda Staunton of the Harry Potter films and Conleth Hill of Game of Thrones fame. Entry to the screening at Courtyard Playhouse is free of charge, but be sure to RSVP in advance here.
July 29: Journey to Belgium
If you’ve long fantasized about attending legendary electronic music festival Tomorrowland but never managed to score tickets, you’re in luck. For the first time ever, Dubai will link up with Belgium via satellite connection at the new Dubai Festival City Arena. The festival will take place from 2 p.m. until 3 a.m., with local and global acts like Martin Solveig and Tom Swoon also taking the stage. Book your tickets here.
