You know what’s hotter than noon in June? Our guide of 19 things to do in Dubai in June is what. Somehow, we’ve breezed through six months of 2024 and woah, what a jam-packed year of new restaurant launches, hidden gem finds and exciting concerts it’s been. Now on the halfway mark, 2024 is on the up and up. Both temperature and activity-wise. Speaking of the latter, we’ve found you camping in the rainforest, a beer and burger festival, a new games bar with AR cricket and more.
1 . Have a wild sleepover in an indoor rainforest
This is the slumber party to rule all slumber parties. Although we doubt there’ll be much slumbering when 3,000 exotic animal and plant species surround you. Green Planet, the indoor biodome in City Walk, has restarted its ‘Camping in the Rainforest’ experience that packs in late-night guided tours, animal feeding sessions and more for everyone who wants to answer the call of the wild. Find details about tents and activities here.
2. Race at Chaos Karts’ video game-style go-karting experience
If you haven’t checked out Dubai’s cool new live-action video game experience yet, make June the month for this fabulous indoor activity in Al Quoz that has wowed the likes of Arab-pop superstar Nancy Ajram. Think real-life Mario Kart but you’re in actual physical cars that you can steer through augmented reality tracks and virtual worlds. The best part? Much like a video game, you get to collect weapons and power boosters and overcome hurdles as you race. Book your visit here.
3. Savour summer deals and activities at Dubai Summer Surprises
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) returns for its 28th edition on June 28. As always, the annual summer festival will have some cracking good shopping deals and bargains up its sleeve. This time around too, Modhesh World will set up shop in Dubai World Trade Centre with a ton of funfair games, live shows for kids, concerts, meet and greets with superheroes and animated characters and plenty of roaming entertainment.
4. Enjoy outdoor sports indoors at Dubai Sports World
Outdoor playgrounds and games courts are going to be out of bounds for Dubaiians until September. Thankfully, Dubai Sports World, the yearly indoor sports arena will help you your basketball dribbling skills and football kicks on point when it returns on June 14. Back at its usual spot – World Trade Centre – there’ll be lots of different sports and many new free games, until September 8. Find details here.
5. Cool off with a delicious swim at Dubai’s night beaches
Summers in Dubai usually mean flaunting a beach bod at any location but the beach because of how hot it is. Not any more. After 3 fabulous night beaches were opened in 2023 you can go for nocturnal swims safely and for free in public beaches without forking out a single dime. Once the sun sets, pack that beach bag and head for these shores.
6. Eat, drink and be merry at this beer and burger festival
Dubai loves a good food festival and the city’s gourmands can chow down on a variety of brews and burgers, including a humongous 1.4kg burger, at The Stables. Their beer and burger festival is running until June 8 and has created a limited edition menu with brew and patty pairings as well as special beer sampling trays for just AED 25. Find more details here.
7-12. Watch the T20 World Cup matches live at these Dubai venues
Catch the cricket’s snappy format’s – Twenty20 – ultimate showdown as the ICC T20 World Cup unfolds in the USA and West Indies. While hoping on to a flight to the other side of the world to watch your team in action is a tall order, watching them here in Dubai on big live screens amongst fellow fans is possible. Head to one of these sports bars, pubs and restaurants broadcasting the games live.
13. Play Augmented Reality Cricket at this new games bar
All that exciting cricket might make you want to step out onto the crease yourself! Tiger Strikes, a new games bar with AR-powered cricket batting nets has opened up just in time for cricket season. Virtual bowlers and three immersive pitches will allow you to hit sixers. There’s also bowling, darts and pool when you tire of scoring boundaries. Or fuel up with tasty cocktails and starters in the bar area. Read about it here.
14. Watch real mind readers in action at Mind2Mind Connected event
After making jaws drop in May, America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer winners James Harrington and Marina Liani – a mentalist and magician couple – are back to blow Dubai’s minds again on June 7. Their mindreading skills put to the test live on stage at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel during their Mind2Mind: CONNECTED live show. The telepathic and clairvoyant pair decode and guess your thoughts and the content of your bags all while they’re blindfolded and standing feet apart from you! Ticket info here.
15. Have a glowing good time at the Neon Brush experience
The glow-in-the-dark Neon Brush workshop series has returned for June and this time as a Sip and Paint experience! Back at Alliance Francaise, you can quench your creative thirst and the literal one with one or two tickets included in your ticket. Fluorescent paints, brushes, canvas and cheerful music will set the stage so you can create iridescent masterpieces to take home! Get your tickets here.
16. Laugh yourself silly at Munawar Faruqui’s first international stand-up show
Indian comic, rapper and singer Munawar Faruiqui is making his international stand-up debut in Dubai on June 22 at the Zabeel Theatre. After winning reality TV shows such as Big Boss 17 and Lock Upp Season 1, the triple threat is set to win hearts with his Hindi show Dhando. The Mumbai native of Dongri is known for his raw and dark sense of humour that has an everyman appeal. Get tickets here; from AED 125 per person.
17. Attend the Hariharan & Shankar Mahadevan concert
Indian music royalty, Hariharan and Shankar Mahadevan are performing at the Coca-Cola Arena on June 14. This gig is one for the books if you’re a fan of Bollywood and Carnatic music. Celebrating Hariharan’s 50-year legacy and Shankar Mahadevan’s Grammy win, the concert will also see the singers joined on stage by harmonium virtuoso Prakash Ulleri and Veena-player Rajhesh Vaidhya. Get tickets from AED 200 here.
18. Dance away to Amr Diab’s greatest hits
This is your chance to jam away to Nour El Ain in real time! The iconic Egyptian singer is known for global hits synonymous with Arabic music such as Tamally Maak and Ella Habibi. His nickname of ‘the father of Mediterranean music’ is backed by a five-time Platinum Record and Guinness World Record. Tickets from AED 295; get them here.
19. Speed on the seas in sports car-shaped jet skis
For that adrenalin rush combined with an outrageously unique Dubai concept, book yourself into a Dubai Jetcar this June – the viral jetski experience that has been all on your social media feeds. Thrilling 20, 30 and 60-minute ride options will have you skim the waves past Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa and other Dubai landmarks with stops for photos. Grab tickets here
20. Savour an afternoon tea on top of the Burj Khalifa
This unique two-in-one experience packs the best of all that Burj Khalifa has to offer. First, enjoy a glamorous afternoon tea at the Armani Hotel. Next, sip cocktails and gaze at magical sunset views of Dubai in June from the 122nd floor at At.mosphere restaurant. For AED 379 per person, that’s plenty of bang for your buck. But the icing on the cake is you never wait in any queues! Book here.