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’s tons of things to do. From epic immersive events to dreamy ballets and memorable garage raves, here’s our guide of the best things to do in Dubai this September.
1. Step inside the magical world of Gaudí, Kandinsky & Klee Experience at this digital art exhibit
We’ve all dreamed of strolling through Antoni Gaudí’s famous Sagrada Família, wishing we were in Barcelona taking pictures of the architectural wonder. Well, it’s time to stop dreaming and start instagramming as when Gaudí, Kandinsky and Klee: The Immersive Experience comes to Dubai on September 23 at Infinity des Lumières in The Dubai Mall. Three 15-minute digital experiences have been condensed into one single 45-minute exhibition, where you can step inside hyperrealistic projections and moving images of Gaudi’s world heritage sites, and Kandinsky and Klee’s colourful, trippy paintings. This is art you can touch, feel and submerge yourself in like never before! Get your tickets before they sell out!
2. Party hard at the 50 Cent concert
It’s sure gonna feel like your birthday at this hip hop concert featuring rapstar 50 ‘Curtis’ Cent. Catch him live at the Coca-Cola Arena on September 30 as part of his ‘Green Light Gang World Tour’. Bangers such as In Da Club and Candy Shop will have you vibing hard. Find out more here
3. Laugh out loud at Jo Koy’s Dubai show
American-Filipino funnyman Jo Koy is bringing his ‘Funny is Funny’ tour to Dubai on September 3. You’re in for a night of rib-tickling evening of anecdotes about his mum and Filipino family. This gig at the Coca-Cola arena features all fresh material that Dubai aundiences haven’t heard before, so the chuckles are going to roll in swift. Tickets start from AED 180.
4. Immerse yourself in the great lovestory of Romeo and Juliet through ballet
Ah, young love. And who epitomises it better than Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet? The mother of all romances is coming to the Dubai Opera in the form of an elegant and stunning ballet performance from September 9-11. The show is being brough to stage by a ballet company from one of the UAE’s favourite holiday destinations: Georgia. Dancers from the State Ballet of Georgia will dance to the music of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev and bring to life the romance, revenge, passion and grief that make this timeless tale of love a popular one. Tickets start from AED 325 here.
5. Dig into the UAE’s first sizzling donut
Dubai’s decades-old restaurant Yoko Sizzlers in Karama has given the popular American treat a pipping hot makeover and hole-y smokes, it’s a chocolate-filled delight. The sizzling donut involves a deep-fried doughnut served on a hot metal plate topped with delicious additions. And to sweeten the deal (or meal), these sizzling donuts are being sold for AED 15 for a limited amount of time. Find out more here.
6. Hula and sweat at this tropical holiday-themed HIIT class
Fitness studio BARE DXB is kicking off getting back into the swing of things after the summer break with a vacation-inspired HIIT class. You’ll be burning up the calories using ‘SkillMill’ treadmills in BARE’s signature black-lit room with it’s neon lights and music but there’s a twist this time. Much like a tropical party, the exercise space will be stocked with inflatables, loaded fruit juice water guns, healthy tropic-themed snacks and an ice splash pool to cool the burn after a killer workout. Book your spot here
7. Watch a movie at the largest cinema theatre in MENA
Viewing Netflix at home can never match the magic of viewing the latest blockbuster on a silver screen. Touted to be the MENA region’s largest cinema screen, the Roxy Xtreme flung open its doors to movie buffs across the city on August 31 and boy, it IS extreme. Located in the Dubai Hills Mall, the 423-square-metre screen is mammoth auditorium style-cinema with 382 reclining seats spread out across three categories of seating: standard, premium and director’s boxes. These are seats so comfy, the could give a a first-class seat a run for its money we’re told. Visit www.theroxycinemas.com for details.
8. Go shopping for your home at the Dubai Home Festival
The annual home decor and furnishings festival is set to kick off on September 30 and run until October 13. This fourth edition of the citywide-festival is primed to once again bring you the best of the homegrown and international furniture brands and interior design studios with plenty of offers and promotions for bargain hunters. So if you’ve been planning on refurbishing that kitchen or giving your living room a fresh coat of paint, hold on till the DHF and get your money’s worth. Not much besides the dates has been revealed about the festival, but bookmark this page as we’ll be updating this space with more info!
9. Learn how to wakeboard or wakesurf in Dubai Marina
You don’t have to be Aquaman to learn to ride the waves in the open sea like a pro. Pick up a new watersport skill with the experts at Blue Wake Dubai. The water sports company in Dubai Marina will walk you and your friends through the water-based activities in 30 minute or one-hour sessions. Learn to find your centre, hold that balance and zoom through through the water as you hold on to a speeding boat. Not only will you have picked up a fresh new skill, but you’ll also get to spend quality time with your friends and enjoy stunning views of the city’s beaches and shoreline as you zip along. Click here for tickets and more info.
10. Meet your favourite footballers at this Irish pub in Dubai
Have you ever daydreamed of knocking back a pint with your favourite footballers, discussing the current season of the English Premier League season and finer points of the offside rule? Irish pub The Dubliner’s is set to make that dream come true by flying in football stars in person AND hosting them digitally. From September 10, live-streaming pre-match shows will allow to engage with your football heroes through a single click and have an informal yet structured conversation. It’s so much more of an engaging way to watching Premier League matches than on a screen, wouldn’t you say? Find out more here.
11. Dine inside Turkey’s famous hot air balloons at this Dubai cafe
Homegrown cafe Saddle Cafe have transformed into Turkey’s magical holiday destination Cappadocia for the summer. The hot air balloons you’ve seen on Instagram have now landed in Dubai and these are no simple props, mind you. You can actually sit inside one of the hot air balloons and tuck into Saddle Cafe’s Turkish-themed new ice cream flavour for the summer too. We’ve got all the details about their summer campaign here.
12. Head to this Sorabh Pant stand-up show for belly laughs
Indian stand-up comic Sorabh Pant is set to bring the house down on September 17 at The Theatre, Mall of the Emirates. Known for warming up crowds for comedy heavyweights such as Rob Schneider (You Don’t Mess With The Zohan, Deuce Bigalow) and Wayne Brady (Whose Line Is It Anyway?,Wayne Brady Show), the comedian has made his mark with a zany strain of humour. He’s also one of the brains behind East India Comedy – a popular Indian comedy company boasting 115 million YouTube views. Get tickets here
13 . Experience the magic of Italian Opera at Dubai Opera
We can’t think of a better reason to visit the Dubai Opera than to watch an actual opera! Don’t miss out on a performance of Guiseppe Verdi’s La Traviata on September 13. Featuring the music of the legendary Italian composer and based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel La Dame aux Camelias, this show will narrate the tragic romance of Violetta and Alfredo Germon in four acts. Tickets here.
14. Enjoy hangover-free happy hours at Dubai’s first non-alcoholic bar
Cocktails without alcohol? Yep, that and more await you at Nolo, Dubai’s first non-alcoholic bar. Located on the 24th floor of Dusit Thani Dubai, it combines the laidback glamour of an old-school bar with a delicious menu of craft cocktails that don’t have a single drop of alcohol in them. But here’s the kicker – they taste just as good as their boozy counterparts. Find out more here.
15. Catch some thrills at this motorcycle stunt show
For that hit of adrenaline rush make sure you book a spot at the Crusty Demons World Domination Show at Coca-Cola Arena. The band of freestyle motorcyclists are known for their daredevil stunts and crazy world records performed usually to lights, music and a fire show for that full-blown nailbiting effect. The riders will be performing a couple of manoeuvers and moves that are firsts for Dubai.
16. Attend Sonu Nigam’s Dubai Concert
The legendary crooner whose velvety voice has birthed iconic Bollywood anthems such Yeh Dil, Main Agar Kahoon and more will be back in Dubai for a performance on September 10. Rock along to hits from Hindi music that have shaped a generation. Find ticket details here.
17. Party to house music at this underground carpark
Clubbing but a whole lot more grungier than Dubai’s used to is what you’ll experience at p7 Arena, the city’s only nightclub that’s an underground parking. On September 3 house anthems brand ABOVE is taking over the space with a slew of acts; international DK Philip George known for tracks such as ‘Wish You Were Mine’ , Same Love’ and more will be headlining. He’ll be joined by Dubai DJs Tom Karno, E.M.A, Nick Holmes, Beth Marie, Blaise, Natalie Brogan and Matt West (on Sax). Ticket details here.
18. Celebrate Oktoberfest in September at this Dubai Biergarten
Just as Oktoberfest kicks off in Munich on September 17, you can say Prost here in Dubai too at Ernst, the city’s very own authentic Biergarten. You’ll be digging into traditional Bavarian bites, specially imported German beer and drinks and dance the night away as musical acts flown in from Munich will set the ambiance. Find details here.
19. Enjoy good music, great comedy and greater craic at McGettigan’s Big Night Out
Why should a festival stick to one theme when it can combine all the things we love – music, food and class comedy? That’s exactly what McGettigan’s Big Night Out Festival is all about.
International award-winning comedians Danny O’ Brien and Elena Gabrielle will keep the laughter flowing while the Irish band’s live house band will keep the tunes flowing on September 9 and 10. There’s a bigger afterparty in store too featuring Dubai’s best DJs so you can rock away into the wee hours of the morning. Tickets from AED 100 here.
20. Watch an play adaptation of Dante’s Inferno at The Junction
Dante’s epic classic Inferno gets a modern retelling in the play Blind City being shown at The Junction on September 3 and 4. Without giving away the plot, here’s a peek of the play’s premise: A blinding light appears over a city affecting its residents in mysterious ways, and Steve, a male nurse at a clinic leads viewers through the city, introducing them to the individuals whose lives have been upturned by the flash of light. Tickets starting at AED 100 are available here.