Discover this month’s best happenings around Dubai, from a photography festival and indie film screenings to killer concerts, Valentine’s Day celebrations, and more.
February 1 to 2: Catch a Debut
The run of the very first play at Dubai Opera is ongoing as the English Touring Theatre brings its critically acclaimed production of Othello to the city for three days straight. This startlingly contemporary play by William Shakespeare follows a Muslim general living in Venice. It may have been written 400 years ago, but considering that it tackles topics such as race, prejudice, and privilege, it feels very relevant to this day and age. Book here.
February 1 to 2: Support Local Talent
Head to the sixth edition of Market Outside The Box and discover gems by beloved local labels and global brands alongside yoga sessions, live music, wellness classes, food trucks, and film screenings – all spread across 11,300 square meters at Burj Park. The event is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to midnight on weekends.
February 1 to 2 : Bend, Stretch, Twist
XYoga has returned to the city, this time at Kite Beach. The yoga festival consists of two days packed with sessions covering different types such as hatha, power, vinyasa, and hula hoop yoga. These are complemented by stalls selling yoga gear and health food. The best bit? Each session is free of charge. To register and learn more, click here.
February 1 to 13: Play with Light
Burj Park Plaza is still glowing under a kaleidoscope of lights as six dynamic sculptures are taking residence at the scenic venue until February 13th. The installation, entitled Light Art DXB, is a breathtaking showcase of technical know-how and uses delicate design and reflections to inspire viewers of all ages. Marrying spinning mirrors with light to create a visual story, it also beautifully highlights the towering Burj Khalifa in the background. Entry is free of charge.
February 1 to April 6: Think Global
Impulse purchases, cultural performances, street food, 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. New attractions here include a multi-cultural floating market serving Southeast Asian food, a circus featuring performers from across the globe, and more. Details on the ongoing 23rd edition can be found here.
February 4 to 9: Snap Happy
Six days of workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, and photo walks await at GPP Photo Week, the longest-running photography festival in the region. Taking place at Alserkal Avenue, the new edition will – once again – unite leading photographers with both professionals and amateurs looking to develop their knowledge and skills. The complete program can be explored here, but if you’re pressed for time and don’t know where to start, we’ve put together a curated guide the festival. Read it here.
February 5: Drink Chocolate
Nutella is ecstasy in a jar, so it only makes sense that there is an entire day in the calendar dedicated to it: World Nutella Day. Luckily for us, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina will play host to a free-flowing Nutella fountain in its lobby all day long, complemented by fruits and marshmallows. Even better? Dipping in will be completely free. The editors at Savoir Flair are just as infatuated with the chocolate-hazelnut spread, so we’ve put together a round-up of the absolute best Nutella-based recipes. Find it here.
February 6 to 9: Dream Big
Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre is BRIDE, the definitive event for brides-to-be across Dubai. This year’s installment will feature four days of fashion shows, makeup and beauty demonstrations, a pampering zone, and a jewelry pavilion. These will be complemented by over 200 wedding suppliers specializing in wedding stationery, cakes, décor, and more. Find out more here.
February 6 to 27: Train Your Palate
A series of hour-long sessions entitled Chocolate Tasting Workshop will be hosted by artisanal chocolate factory Mirzam every Wednesday, providing participants with the opportunity to learn about the different flavor notes of single-origin chocolate and the production process from bean to bar. These one-of-a-kind experiences will take place in Warehouse 70 at Alserkal Avenue. Register here.
February 7 to 9: Laugh Aloud
“Nothing is funnier than unhappiness, I grant you that. Yes, yes, it’s the most comical thing in the world.” That is the premise of legendary Irish playwright Samuel Beckett’s Endgame, a brilliant tragicomedy that has been described as “a pure and devastating distillation of the human essence in the face of approaching death”. Presented by leading regional theater company Danú Dubai, it will run for three days at Courtyard Playhouse. Intrigued? Register here.
February 8 to 15: Celebrate an Icon
Movie screenings continue daily at Cinema Akil in Alserkal Avenue during the month of February, with the independent cinema platform hosting a flawlessly curated selection of documentaries, foreign flicks, and animated films. On the roster? Award-winning Egyptian drama Photocopy, French documentary Faces Places, and beloved comedy The Rocky Horror Picture Show. We’re most excited about the screening of Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist, a documentary honoring the designer’s life and work. See the complete schedule here.
February 9 to 13: Make Arrangements
Celebrate a loved one – or just your love for flowers – by signing up for the High Heel Floral Arrangement Workshop at The Workshop in Jumeirah. Combining red roses with heels, this unique hour-long session will teach participants how to work with flowers and create a beautiful arrangement. To RSVP, send an email to info@theworkshopdubai.com. Learn more here.
February 11 to March 25: Be Wowed
Las Vegas is synonymous with grander-than-grand performances and, luckily for us, a sliver of it will soon arrive in Dubai as WOW takes residence at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai. This award-winning variety show stars over 30 acrobats, dancers, aerialists, and contortionists performing mind-blowing choreography on a stage lit by everything from 3D projections to holograms. Buy your tickets here.
February 14: Celebrate Love
Whether you’re coupled up or “single and fabulous”, take today to celebrate your loved ones – your friends, your siblings, and your parents included. Over the course of this month, Savoir Flair will bring you alternative suggestions on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day, help you explore the romantic power of perfume, and more. Watch this space.
February 14 to 15: Listen Up
Big-name performers unite for RedFestDXB, a two-day music festival taking place annually at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. The first day of the sixth edition will see DJ Snake, G-Eazy, and Jess Glynne perform. The following day, Camila Cabello, Macklemore, and Jax Jones will take to the stage. Find more details and buy your tickets here.
February 16: Reflect and Realign
Identify your values, create healthy goals, set your intentions, and welcome change – all in one day. Joining forces with a whole host of wellness experts, H Retreats is hosting a program called Reflect, Realign, and Redesign to help women align with their souls’ deepest priorities through yoga, journalling, sound therapy, meditation, and more. Find more details and register here.
February 20 to 22: Jazz It Up
Grammy Award-winning singer Alicia Keys, English jazz-funk band Jamiroquai, and Irish rock band Snow Patrol are just some of the big names you can look forward to at the 17th edition of the annual Dubai International Jazz Festival, taking place at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. Also in the line-up? Vandalye, Keb’ Mo’, and Abri & Funk Radius. Tickets tend to sell out, so buy yours here before they’re gone.
February 21 to March 9: Please Your Palate
Dubai Food Festival honors everything from elite dining spots to hidden eateries through events, new concepts, and appearances by celebrity chefs. Highlights include Dubai Restaurant Week (fine-dining for AED 199), Beach Canteen (dining and entertainment at Sunset Beach), and Hidden Gems (little-known foodie haunts). Learn more here.
February 22: Defy the Desert
The Dubai Desert Road Run returns, welcoming everyone from first-time runners to some of the UAE’s best athletes. Choose from three distances (3km, 5km, or 10km), all of which will be covered on private, traffic-free roads. Kicking off at 7:30 a.m., each race will start and finish at The Sevens Stadium, which is located roughly 40km off the city’s coastline. Find more details on categories and fees, and register here.
February 22 to 23: Pass the Bread
The country’s first ever Cheese Fest is coming to Dubai – and it’s about time. Hosted by F&B experts SOPEXA Middle East and taking place at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, the (free!) event will feature cheeses from around the world. By that, we mean that you’ll be able to taste cheese, buy cheese, smell cheese, photograph cheese, win cheese, and even learn a little something about it. Find more details here.
February 23: Take a Photo
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.
February 28: Dine and Dance
The Cirque de Cuisine “megabrunches” at Atlantis, The Palm are just that – mega – and the ‘Carnival De Brazil’ edition is no exception. This culinary extravaganza will feature some of the city’s finest restaurants – think: Nobu, Ossiano, Seafire, and Hakkasan. There will even be an afterparty at the resort’s newest entertainment destination, Wavehouse. Expect your feast to be inspired by the annual Brazilian festival, complete with DJs, show-stopping performers, and carnival revelers. Book here.
