Summer is over. At least on the calendar it is, even if the wall of humidity outside says otherwise. But what it means for Dubai is that everyone has trickled back into the city after their holidays and there are tons of things to do. From epic immersive events to dreamy ballets and memorable concerts, here’s our guide to the 23 best things to do in Dubai this September.
1. Take a hike at the trail in Mushrif Park
As much as we whinge incessantly about the Dubai heat (it’s a love language), the weather is edging towards winter, at snail-pace but there’s progress. With longer evenings and shorter days, the perfect outdoor activity to try is a hike at Mushrif Park’s new 10km trail. Find details here.
2. Run through snowy obstacles at the Ice Warrior Challenge
The Ice Warrior Challenge is back for its 15th edition at Ski Dubai with a 3.5km assault course. On September 22, participants will brave the cold by overcoming 20 different obstacles from monkey bars, climbing walls, net crawls and an ice pool. Registrations close on September 19. More info here.
3. (Head) lock your calendar for WrestleFest DXB
The showmanship, exaggerated rivalries, and insane stunts make Dubai’s only wrestling tournament a thrilling live experience. Returning for 2024 on September 21 at Warehouse 4 in Al Quoz, the wrestler to emerge triumphant from the ring will win the title of Dubai World Wrestling Champion. Pro Wrestlers, both regional names such as Johnny Evers, Cryptid and Shaheen will battle for glory along with appearances by WWE wrestling stars such as Mansoor and Mace. Tickets from AED 100 here.
4. Watch the hauntingly beautiful ballet Giselle
This tragic masterpiece featuring vengeful ghosts and lovelorn spirits that pirouette through haunted forests is a canonical work of classical ballet. The Polish National Ballet and Orchestra conducted by Patrick Fournillier will bring the romantic tale of Giselle and Albrecht to life at the Dubai Opera from September 18-21. Matinee shows at 2pm and evening shows at 8pm. Get tickets here.
5. See Mohit Chauhan in concert
Indian playback singer Mohit Chauhan will perform at Agenda Media City on September 21. The voice behind iconic Bollywood anthems such as ‘Sadda Haq’ and soulful ballads like Tum Se Hi, Chauhan’s expansive vocal range has garnered him a staunch following among Hindi music lovers. Hear him belt out all his biggest hits live on stage from 6pm – 10:50pm. Tickets from AED 315 here.
6-9. Knock back drinks at these Negroni Week events
The Italian drink Negroni is considered one of the most sophisticated cocktails, but it’s serving some let-you-hair-down fun in Dubai this month. A bunch of bars and restaurants around the city are celebrating Negroni week from September 16-22.
Blind Tiger, the glamorous speakeasy tucked away inside Jumeirah Al Naseem is offering a unique line-up of Negronis for AED 80 – think Arabiatta Negroni (yes, like the spicy pasta sauce) and Peperoni Negroni with yellow bell pepper infused-spirits and a pickled onion. From 5pm.
Japanese hotspot Okku at the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah adds an Asian twist to the drink making it with Roku gin, shiso leaves and poured into a syphon. Sip up for AED 55 per drink. Visit the website.
The Lana Dorchester is quadrupling down on celebrations and stretching their Negroni Week deals for a month. From September 16 to October 16, the classic Italian drink gets makeovers inspired by chocolate souffles and Aztec myths and will be infused with espressos, spicy chipotle syrup in its many avatars. Yum! AED 85 per drink, visit the website.
Salmon Guru, the award-winning Spanish export in Business Bay’s The Opus is stirring up a good time with five variations of the Negroni. They’ve got a frozen Negroni and a non-alcoholic Negroni in there. AED 65 per drink; call 052 814 9537
10. Ace it on the tennis court with these tennis lessons
Sign up for tennis classes at the Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection. They’ve got special packages for kids and ladies on specific days of the week. Perfect those backhands, slices and serves with professional coaches in both one-on-one and group sessions.
Call 050 509 1902 or email hgrs.recreationreception@habtoorhospitality.com
11-14. Get a headstart on Oktoberfest celebrations
It might be called Oktoberfest but the festival kicks off on September 21 this year. Dubai is keeping in step with Munich and hopping onboard the hops party. A variety of pubs and bars around town are rolling out the beer barrels for the German folk and harvest festival from September 21 to October 6.
Barasti’s Big Bavarian Bash is back with traditional dishes, tapping of the keg and live music and entertainment.
The Stables on Sheikh Zayed Road will host German-inspired weekly events including puzzle nights and pretzel tosses along. Steins (AED 80) and pints (AED 45) of draught beers and scrumptious food are in the mix too. Call 054 417 7028
Ernst, the city’s only authentic Bavarian beer garden has an extended Oktoberfest celebration from September 19 to October 27. Every Thursday to Saturday, this themed eatery in OneCentral will be frothing with great beer, food and music flown in from Germany!
15. Have a breaking good time at a rage room
Whether you’ve had a good or bad summer, a surefire way to ensure it ends smashingly is to head to a range room and unleash some fury. The Smash Room in Al Quoz has a summer package deal that’s on until October, so you can work out some feelings or simply enjoy a destructively satisfying work out. AED 1,099 lets a group of four can demolish 50 glass items, 1 washing machine, 1 printer, 1 TV, and 4 CPUs. Call 04 339 7810 or visit thesmashroom.com/
16-18. Laugh up a storm at these comedy shows
The Laughter Factory is breaking out a barrel of laughs from September 20-28 with a stellar trio. London-based Canadian comic Kate Barron will bring the house down with her brutal honesty-laced humour. Joining her from the Big Smoke is Farhan Solo, the millennial Muslim voice taking the UK comedy scene by storm, including appearances on Channel 4. Dubai’s very own Maher Barwany rounds off that lineup with his incisive, tongue-in-cheek takes on life in the UAE. Buy tickets from AED 160 here.
Across various Dubai and Abu Dhabi venues; find locations here
India standup comic Atul Khatri means business when it comes to cracking people up. The former businessman-turned-comedian has been a regular in Dubai’s comedy circuit and is returning to tickle the city’s funny bone on September 28 at the Dubai College Auditorium. See him belt out the wit and razor-sharp punchlines (in both English and Hindi) that have earned him the title of one of India’s Top 20 Comcis to Watch Out For. From AED 129, get tickets here.
19. Binge away at this pop-up Biryani festival
South Indian restaurant Kovalam has teamed up with cloud kitchen Great Indian Biryani, to pay homage to everybody’s favourite Indian dish – biryani. The Great Indian Biryani Carnival pop-up will be on September 20 – 30 at the President Hotel, Karama. Eight scrumptious biryani variants will represent unique ingredients, cooking methods, and regional flavours from different parts of India. The show stealer is a 24-karat-gold biryani with a whole leg of lamb called the Sultan-e-Raan Biryani and costs AED 389.
Call 050 469 1510 or visit the website
20-21. Get your game face on for these game nights
Indi 16 at Citymax Business Bay is hosting a Games Night by RJ Parikshit every Thursday. Activities range from thrilling Bollywood trivia to bingo all while you nosh on Indian tapas and sip on cocktails. Prizes worth AED 1000 are up for grabs.
Call 050 461 7994
RJ Big Rossi’s Big Quiz at Brew House is back too! Every Tuesday, put your smarts to the test and win prizes worth AED 1000. The beer garden has special bucket deals and happy hours on the days.
Call 052 698 4711
22. Relax and rejuvenate this wellness festival
PXB, the plant-based and wellness restaurant and Mulai Community are hosting a Wellness Day on September 29 at the Terra Pavillion, Expo City. Sign up for rooftop yoga and breathwork workshops, attend talks by nutrition and biohacking experts, and shop from top wellness brands at a pop-up market. Don’t forget to visit their rejuvenating recovery space and try out cool new treatments like compression and red light therapies. Entry costs AED 200 per person; book here.
23. Pop by this Andy Warhol pop art exhibit
The father of pop art, Andy Warhol, has done than just soup cans and neon Marylin Monroe portraits. Get to know the artist and his art better at a new art exhibit at The Foundry in Downtown Dubai called Andy Warhol: The Glam Factory. Over 100 original pieces created by the artist from the 1960s to the 1980s will be on display in the UAE for the first time from September 20 – October 31. Tickets cost AED 160 per person, get tickets here.