Discover this month’s best happenings around Dubai, from concerts and cooking classes to al fresco markets, photo walks, and more.
November 1: Adopt, Don’t Shop
The Red Paw Foundation and thejamjar have joined forces so that you can come and meet some adorable rescues from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – and see if you find your pet mate this month! And should inspiration strike, participants are also welcome to bring their drawing equipment and sketch the adorable fur babies. Find more details and book your spot here.
November 1 to 9: Update Your Bucket List
You’ve long known about The Phantom of the Opera as the world’s most popular musical – now experience it firsthand. Taking place at Dubai Opera, the Andrew Lloyd Webber blockbuster features 130 cast members alongside jaw-dropping scenery, breathtaking special effects, and over 230 costumes. Here, jealousy and passions collide as a musical genius lures a young soprano as his protégé and falls fiercely in love with her. Buy your tickets here.
November 1 to 16: Get Fit
The Dubai Fitness Challenge has returned, prompting us to get off our couches and commit to 30 minutes of exercise for 30 days straight. The adrenaline-packed month features everything from half-marathons and triathlons to charity walks, competitive swims, the return of Tough Mudder, and a dedicated Fitness Village at Kite Beach. Learn more here.
November 1 to 23: Break a Record
Guinness World Records is known for celebrating record-breaking feats that are remarkable, shocking, or downright disturbing. Now, you can join the ‘club’ as the global authority on all things records arrives at Wafi Mall, showcasing awe-inspiring record-holders through mesmerizing photos and interactive activities. Also on the roster? A chance to break a record yourself! Learn more here.
November 1 to 23: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle
Second Hand, the first group exhibition drawn from the Art Jameel Collection, continues into the month of November at Jameel Arts Centre. Exploring materiality in contemporary art practice through sculpture, installation, assemblage, drawing, photography, painting, and performance, it showcases works by 18 local, regional, and international artists who have incorporated banal, everyday objects into their work to construct new forms and ideas. Find more details here.
November 1 to 29: Catch a Flick
Movie screenings continue (almost) daily at Cinema Akil throughout November, with the independent cinema platform hosting a flawlessly curated selection of documentaries, foreign flicks, and animated films. On the roster? An Agnès Varda retrospective that will screen four of her masterpieces alongside Japanese comedy Hatsukoi, Algerian drama Papicha, and more. See the complete schedule here.
November 1 to 30: Please Your Palate
Raise your hand if you have no idea what the term “single origin” means – then join the Cacao & Coffee: Tasting, Pairing & Making workshop hosted by artisanal chocolate factory Mirzam. Taking place every Friday and Saturday this month, it will focus on cupping techniques and the identification of both coffee and chocolate notes. Register here.
November 1 to April 4: Tour the World
Impulse purchases, street food, cultural performances, extreme rides, family-friendly attractions, and even star-studded concerts – if you want to pair the return of cooler weather (finally!) with a little old-fashioned fun, part theme park/part market Global Village is where it’s at. More details on the recently launched 24th edition can be found here.
November 1 to May 31: Discover Nikkei
Bringing a unique and insanely delicious fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine – a.k.a. Nikkei – to diners is the Kayto pop-up at Jumeirah Al Naseem. Here, chef Cristian Goya is using Peruvian ingredients to bring out the best in delicate Japanese-style fare, ranging from delicious starters such as ‘Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna Tartare’ to must-order mains like ‘Saikyo Miso Black Cod’ and ‘Wagyu Beef Tataki’ that is served with Kayto’s signature sauces. Oh, and for your sake, we’ll have to insist that you stay back for the divine ‘Cheesecake Brûlée and Mandarin Sorbet’. Book here.
November 2: Take a Bath
Everyone loves a Lush bath bomb, and now’s your chance to get the inside scoop on all things fizzing and whizzing. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Âme Artistic Studio will join forces with everyone’s favorite sustainable beauty brand, hosting a workshop that will unveil the secret to making bath bombs that benefit both body and mind and champion ethical practices. Book your spot here.
November 2 to December 23: Watch This Space
Yet to watch must-see films like Pretty Woman, The Devil Wears Prada, and Dirty Dancing? Well, you now have a reason to make your way to Habtoor Grand Resort. Hosted by Urban Outdoor Cinema, screenings are taking place every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday – just in case you need to recover from those post-weekend blues. Buy your tickets here.
November 3: Go Green
If you have a green thumb – or wish to, for that matter – clear your calendar for the hands-on Succulent Bar Workshop led by boutique floral shop Vivid Design Dubai at café and concept store The Workshop. Beginners and experienced alike will be given tips on plant selection, building techniques, and picking the right container as well as planting, maintenance, and displaying succulents. Find more details and book here.
November 7: Keep Up
With the who’s who of LA and Dubai coming together at The Collective DXB, this is your chance to keep up with the fields of beauty, food, fashion, and travel, courtesy of industry trendsetters and social media influencers. Already set to attend are YouTube personality Gemma Stafford, fashion blogger Alanoud Badr, Dr Shayma Fawaz of Gossip The Brand, and Instaglam founder Haifa Addas amongst others. Buy your tickets here.
November 7: Let Go
Reconnect with yourself at the Intuitive Creativity workshop led by artist and certified ThetaHealing practitioner Victoria Parrucci at the jamjar. It will guide you through a profound meditation, allowing you to search within and learn how to let go of past situations that no longer serve you. You’ll then be free to paint an abstract representation of your feelings in an uninhibited state, allowing the colors, shapes, and textures to take over. Book here.
November 8 to 15: Support the Arts
Culture junkies are in for a treat as a National Theatre screening of A Midsummer Night’s Dream arrives at our shores. William Shakespeare’s most famous romantic comedy depicts a feuding fairy king and queen of the forest cross paths with four runaway lovers and a troupe of actors trying to rehearse a play. As their dispute grows, the magical royal couple meddle with mortal lives leading to love triangles, mistaken identities, and transformations – with hilarious but dark consequences. See what all the fuss is about by registering for a membership to Courtyard Playhouse’s NT Live program here.
November 9 to 25: Take a Walk
Explore a side of Dubai you may not have seen and hone your street photography skills with the Karama: People & Places photo walk hosted by Gulf Photo Plus. Not only will this three-hour trek teach you techniques for difficult lighting conditions and tips on how to compose an image, but it will also take you through a route in Karama that is is laced with culture and history. To book a spot, click here.
November 11 to 16: Soak Up Design
Design buffs have reason to celebrate the fifth edition of Dubai Design Week will feature hundreds of events across architecture as well as product, furniture, interior, and graphic design. This year’s program is packed with inspiring creative feats from around the world including insights into Afghan efforts in design, urban conservation and heritage protection at a pop-up exhibition by NGO Turquoise Mountain, and an upcycled installation by an Istanbul-based architecture studio. Learn more here.
November 13: Journey to Thailand
The Lowe Travel Series returns for its fourth edition at uber-contemporary eatery Lowe, following the success of previous instalments that celebrated the flavors of Japan, France, and Mexico. Culinary duo Jesse Blake and Kate Christou will take diners on a culinary journey through Thailand with a multi-course menu that showcases the diversity of South East Asian cuisine. The dining experience will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. and is priced at AED 360 per person. RSVP at hello@lowe.ae
November 14: Go Wild
There’s the kind of Bingo that your grandmother plays – and then there’s ‘Bonkers Bingo’. The wild child version of the game returns to Dubai, this time taking place at Asateer Tent in Atlantis The Palm. Accommodating a whopping 1,000 people, it will mix traditional Bingo with dance-offs, whacky prizes, and absolutely no inhibitions whatsoever, all accented by what promises to be “outrageous, wild, and absolute carnage”. Buy your tickets here.
November 14 to 16: Head Outdoors
Perpetually buzzing Zabeel House The Greens is gearing up to welcome Lah Lah Bazaar, a new outdoor street food eatery, bar, and lounge with a three-day festival that will bring together live music, street food, brunch, DJs, family-friendly entertainment, Insta-worthy party props, shisha, and more. The new venue will take over the hotel’s expansive outdoor terrace on P4 every weekend to make use of cooler weather. Find more details here.
November 15: Listen Up
Our favorite emerging style icon and princess of “dark pop” Dua Lipa is way overdue for a visit to Dubai. Thankfully, that issue will soon be remedied when she returns to the UAE – her Abu Dhabi concert last year was cancelled due to rainstorms – to perform at The Pointe in Palm Jumeirah. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets here.
November 16 to December 7: Design Your Future
You know what you want your life to look like – now start living it. The LightHouse Arabia is hosting a two-part Val-YOU workshop that will delve into all things vision boards. Led by a counseling psychologist, it will guide participants on how to visually express their dreams, offer strategies on living a life of purpose, and provide practical tools to start actioning one’s goals. Book your spot here.
November 18: Stay Up Late
With the galleries and creative concepts at Alserkal Avenue staying open until 10 p.m., Galleries Night is the perfect opportunity to discover new art exhibitions and activations. While you’re there, be sure to make a pit stop at Concrete to take in Is This Tomorrow? This landmark exhibition will showcase five interdisciplinary installations that offer speculative visions of the future through pairings between leading artists and architects, including a site-specific installation by Rana Begum and Marina Tabassum.
November 21 to 23: Create Content
Gaming, video, film, and music collide at ON.DXB, a three-day industry and consumer event that will take place in Dubai for the very first time. Taking place at Dubai Studio City, it will feature film showcases, concerts, and appearances by speakers who will talk about getting into the business, what goes on behind the scenes, and how the industry has evolved. Bonus: Spike Lee and Liza Koshy are set to attend. Buy your tickets here.
November 21 to 23: Bend, Stretch, Twist
Yogafest returns to the city, hosting nearly three whole days of yoga, dance, and kirtan. This community wellness event will bring teachers and students together to support great causes – children’s charities around the region – in a tranquil outdoor setting. The festival is open to everyone and any level of experience, and attendance is by donation. Learn more and register here.
November 22: Face the Music
Bringing together a legendary roster of musicians from Egypt – think: rock band Cairokee, vibrant duo Sharmoofers, five-piece rock group Massar Egbari, and more – is the Why Not! Mazzika Festival at Coca-Cola Arena. The concert will kick off at 6 p.m. and promises a high-energy night. See the complete line-up and buy your tickets here.
November 23: Play Detective
Put your game face on and head to the Food Scavenger Hunt by famed food tourism company Frying Pan Adventures. This three-hour quest across the eclectic streets of Deira will test foodies through a series of cryptic clues and and reward them with a delicious three-hour meal – if they can hunt it down, that is. Oh, and there’s bonus challenges along the way, which means plenty of chances to win. Book your spot here.
November 28 to December 2: Channel a Champion
Shaun O’Neale, previous winner of MasterChef USA, is the latest international champion to take up residency at MasterChef, The TV Experience. On the menu? A five-course tasting menu featuring a wide range of signature dishes from the former DJ, with all options offering an upscale, modern American style of cooking – think: ‘Tomato Tartare’, ‘Lemon Meringue Redux’, and his winning ‘Truffle, Mushroom, and White Asparagus Risotto’. Find more details and book your spot here.
