Coldplay has finally arrived in the UAE for their highly anticipated concerts. September 2024 was a frenzied period for UAE music fans trying to crack into the notoriously hard-to-enter online queues. The insatiable demand for tickets to the Music of The Spheres tour saw concert dates quadruple. Three additional days were added to the British band’s original January 11 pitstop in Abu Dhabi with shows on January 9, 12 and 14.
Some of us still couldn’t get tickets to this Adventure of A Lifetime. Instead of experiencing excruciating FOMO watching Instagram stories of the concert this coming week, we’ve created a list of 10 things to do in Dubai inspired by Coldplay songs. The best part? All these activities cost as much as or less than an AED 395 general admission ticket.
1 . Use a spa day to Fix You
SENSASIA is an award-winning independent spa chain with some deliciously indulgent treatments that will leave you feeling relaxed without really breaking the budget. A Maderotherapy lymphatic massage starts from AED 410 for 60 minutes and a Knead-It full body massage will cost you AED 450. More info here.
2. Drive out to the desert to see A Sky Full Of Stars
Keep your phones charged, carry headphones, airpods or whatever your choice of listening accessory, and blast this hit tune at full volume while you gaze up at the heaves from one of the UAE’s many dark spots. The Al Marmoom Desert around Qudra and Love Lakes is perfect for this. It’ll cost you nothing except fuel for your car and snacks for the road.
3. Immerse yourself in the Yellow glow of a candlelight concert
Ditch the British band and plug into an evening of the best of French music at this French Icons Candlelight Concert in Sofitel Dubai The Palm on January 11. The Gulf Strings quartet will play instrumental variants of iconic French songs across the decades, from Edith Piaf’s La Vie En Rose to Aya Nakamura’s Dadja. Tickets start from AED 221 per person, buy here.
4. Sing your Hymn For The Weekend at a karaoke bar
This Beyonce-Coldplay collab’s lyrics are all about symphonies and drinks. Gather your friends who feel like angels sent from above and go singing (dancing and drinking) at a karaoke bar. Whether it’s a hymn or rap is totally your call. The Other Office Karaoke at Gulf Court Hotel in Business Bay combines canal views and crazy good deals. You can book a karaoke room for three hours for AED 350 on weekdays and AED 499 on Fridays and Saturdays. This includes F&B credits. More info here
5. Think like The Scientist at The Museum of The Future
Yes, it’s a song about heartbreak and regret, but if this list focused on the actual message of each Coldplay song, we’d all be weeping in our rooms. Shake things up (and your mood) by adding some physics and future to your outlook at the Museum of The Future. Travel to imagined futures, understand what it takes to survive in space and gawk over some marvellous architecture – more info in our detailed guide. AED 149 per person, get tickets here.
6. Turn AYA Universe into My Universe for an evening
The digital entertainment park in Wafi Mall has 12 rooms that recreate trippy futuristic surroundings and make for pictures that will have doomscrollers stop the endless swipe. The way to best utilise this 40,000 square feet space and it’s magical aura is to visit it with a loved one, family or friend who feels like your universe and share headphones while this upbeat track featuring BTS plays in the background. AED 130 per person, buy tickets here.
7. Race ticking Clocks by solving an Escape Room
Closing walls and ticking clocks are joined by head-scratching puzzles at an escape room, making it the perfect place to pay homage to this chart-topper. Escape Hunt in the Galleria Mall on Al Wasl Road has a variety of themed rooms to unlock yourself. Go down Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit hole or experience horror in a murderous Jack The Ripper room. Once you solve all the clues, you’ll be on your way home – where you wanted to go. AED 420 for two players. Book here
8. Viva La Vida at this Frida Kahlo exhibition
Scientifically proven to be the best song to wake up to , this upbeat infectious anthem was inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s resilience to pursue art despite her battles with polio, a broken spine and chronic pain. Learn more about this Coldplay muse and 10 other iconic artists who didn’t let disability hamper their creativity at the Art With Disabilities immersive exhibition. You’ll leave with a renewed sense of gratitude and passion for life. AED 99 per person, get tickets here.
9. Walk through a Paradise of flowers at Dubai Miracle Garden
This one’s been a toughie, I won’t lie. A paradisical space in Dubai that won’t cost you more than your Coldplay ticket? In an ideal world, the over-water villas at Anantara The Palm that recreates Maldives’ island paradise vibes would be our first suggestion. But that’s as pricey as 4 GA tickets. The Dubai Miracle Garden, however, has an entry price at a fraction of that and is as magical as they come with floral sculptures and lush gardens to spend a winter day in. AED 85 per adult, get tickets here.
10. Have an Adventure Of A Life Time at a theme park or water park
Hope on thrilling rides at IMG Worlds of Adventure or splash out at Wild Wadi. Whatever you choose to do, there are options galore when it comes to adventurous theme parks in Dubai. IMG Worlds is AED 364 per adult, get tickets here. For Wild Wadi, an adult day pass is AED 195 per person.