Discover this month’s best happenings around Dubai, from full-moon yoga and stage shows to film screenings, a massive book sale, and more.
October 1 to 22: Listen Up
Season 27 of Concert Series at The Fridge kicks off with two Dubai-based acts taking the stage: electro-experimental duo WYWY supported by indie band Flowershop. The following sessions will feature Iraqi R&B singer Shébani on October 8th and soul band ABRI on October 15th. The season will close with an album showcase by A.K.Radaydeh on October 22nd. Buy your tickets here.
October 1 to 31: Find Your Bliss
Offered throughout the month at Common Grounds is the new #FindYourBliss menu, a series of flavorsome, vegan bliss bowls paired with Avantcha tea. Each of the five varieties will be packed with raw and cooked vegetables, beans, grains, seeds, and fermented foods, so they’ll nourish you from the inside out.
October 1 to 31: Watch This Space
Movie screenings every single night can only mean one thing: the Opening Program at Cinema Akil is here. The independent cinema platform has now permanently opened its doors at Warehouse 68 in Alserkal Avenue with a flawlessly curated selection of foreign films, horror flicks, feature-length animation, documentaries, and more. See the complete schedule here.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has long been the name associated with all things strange, surreal, and sensational – and now the franchise is shocking Dubai residents as it makes its first-ever appearance in the region at Wafi. Free to view, the traveling show is hosting over 75 exhibits across science, human oddities, education, and more. Find more details here.
October 5: Please Your Palate
If you have no idea what the term “single origin” means, join the Cacao & Coffee: Tasting, Pairing & Making workshop jointly hosted by Zero Four Specialty Coffee and artisanal chocolate factory Mirzam. Kicking off at 4 p.m., it will focus on cupping techniques and the identification of both coffee and chocolate notes. Register here.
October 6: Snap Happy
You constantly take photos with your smartphone – now do it right by attending the Introduction to Mobile Photography workshop at Gulf Photo Plus. The three-hour session will delve into essential camera controls, focus, and exposure lock in addition to teaching you the fundamentals of using light and shadow. Also included? How to develop a personal style, apps to conduct in-camera editing, accessories to enhance your phone’s capabilities, and more. Register here.
October 6 to 27 : Rediscover Dubai
If you’re a long-term resident of the city and ready for a dining experience with a novelty factor, think ‘Sufra’. Launched by Frying Pan Adventures, this upcoming program of limited-edition experiences will go beyond the company’s signature tours to explore everything from specialty meals and uncharted culinary routes to contrasting food cultures in the UAE. Learn more and book your spot here.
October 9 to 13: See a Ghost
Patrick Swayze stole our hearts as Sam Wheat in Ghost, and now Dubai Opera is giving us a reason to take a trip down memory lane as Ghost The Musical runs for five days this month. Like the film, the stage adaptation will follow Sam’s journey as a ghost who is trying to communicate with his girlfriend through a phoney psychic to save her from his murderer. Buy your tickets here.
October 11: Eat Right
Gordon Ramsay returns to Dubai to launch a new ‘Fit Food’ menu at Bread Street Kitchen in line with the launch of his new cookbook, Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Fit Food. The event will give guests the chance to dine on a special four-course meal that is inspired by the book. For reservations, call (+971) 4 426 1110.
October 13: Hit the Road
There’s no dearth of travel shows on TV, but The Open Road has caught our eye. For one, it features two Arab women on motorbikes. Even better? They ride their way through Lebanon, Jordan, and the UAE. The first season will premiere on October 13th and can be viewed on 11 channels (FOX Life and Star World included) with simulcast on Facebook and YouTube.
October 18 to 28: Buy the Book
There’s nothing but good news for bibliophiles here. After making its way across major Asian cities like Jakarta, Manila, and Bangkok, the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, the biggest book sale in the world, will debut in Dubai at sound stages 2 and 3 in Dubai Studio City. Even better? The event will be open for 24 hours across all 11 days. Expect to browse over three million heavily discounted books that will include everything from bestselling novels and business books to design titles and even cookbooks.
October 26: Dine in the Dunes
We’ve spent the summer complaining about the heat, and now we can move on. Enter: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa. The resort has launched a new series of monthly dinners entitled ‘Desert Moon Dinner’ during which guests can savor the ultimate dining experience. You’ll arrive in a limo and take in a majestic sunset alongside freely roaming gazelles and Arabian oryx as well as the soothing acoustics of a live band – all accented with an extravagant buffet, of course. Call (+971) 4 832 9900 to book.
October 26 to November 24: Get Fit
The Dubai Fitness Challenge returns, prompting us to get off our couches and commit to 30 minutes of exercise for 30 days straight. The adrenaline-packed month will feature an opening carnival at Dubai Festival City as well as five “fitness villages” set up in areas like DIFC and Al Khawaneej, with plenty of free activities on offer. Learn more here.
October 27 : Bend, Stretch, Twist
Kicking off at 8 p.m. is the monthly full-moon yoga session at Fairmont The Palm. Taught by resident yoga teacher Melanie Swan, it will entail 60 minutes of yoga and 30 minutes of meditation. Bonus: The resort has teamed up with the beauty brand Rituals, so expect to see samples from its new product ranges, too. To book your spot, e-mail fullmoonyoga@fairmont.com.
October 30: Laugh Aloud
The Umbilical Brothers – not actually brothers – are famed for their slapstick humor and use of stage lighting, imaginary people and objects, and sound effects to result in comedic timing that’s spot on. The Australian duo will perform in Dubai for one night only at Madinat Theatre, so act fast and buy your tickets here.
October 30 to April 6: Tour the World
Impulse purchases, street food, cultural performances, extreme rides, and family-friendly attractions – if you want to pair the return of cooler weather with a little old-fashioned fun, Global Village is where it’s at. Details on the upcoming 23rd edition can be found here.
Promo Photo: Courtesy of @Eletrico_AE
