July doesn’t lie when it comes to promising a summer of great concerts, great food and a great time. Yes, it’s a sauna out there and everyone you know is probably vacationing elsewhere in the world, but chin up! The city’s less crowded and quieter, which means you can get reservations easily at almost all restaurants and entertainment spots. And traffic is practically non-existent *sheds tears of joy*. We’ll take the win where we can, guys. And if you’re still not convinced this is a fabulous time of year to be in Dubai, allow us to change your minds with our list of things to do in July.
1. Clock up on deals, activities and entertainment at Dubai Summer Surprises
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) is back for its 27th edition and as always, the annual summer festival has some cracking good shopping deals and bargains up its sleeve. This time around too, Modhesh World has set up shop in Dubai World Trade Centre with a ton of funfair games, live shows for kids, concerts, meet and greets with DC superheroes and plenty of roaming entertainment. Click here for full list of events
2. 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 you’re surrounded by 3,000 exotic animal and plant species. Green Planet, the indoor biodome in City Walk, has restarted its ‘Camping in the Rainforest’ experience and it’s one you definitely want to sign up for this summer. From late-night guided tours to breakfast sessions of feeding animals, this camping experience is for night owls who want to answer the call of the wild. Find details about tents and activities here.
3. Play your outdoor sports indoors at Dubai Sports World
Where in the world can you finish a game of indoor tennis and then shop at a farmer’s market while a live musician plays some chill tunes in the background? The answer is Dubai Sports World. The annual indoor arena is back at the World Trade Centre and this year, besides 9 different sports and many new free games, they also have a weekend festival that runs every weekend until September 10. It’s a perfect family-friendly outing as kids can enjoy free games, there’ll be live music and entertainment shows as well as a farmer’s market to shop for artisanal goods and fresh produce. Entry to the weekend festival is free to all. Find details here
4. Sit in an outdoor pool and cool off as you watch a movie at this dive-in cinema experience
This Sports City poolside movie night is making waves with its unique movie-night concept. You can sit by the pool on comfy beanbags or swim/float around inside the pool as a movie is screened every Friday night. Packages include entry, access to the pool, three drinks and three snacks. All you’ve got to do is bring your swimsuit and your inner water baby. Find details here.
5. Hop over to Alserkal Avenue for free rides in a cute tuk-tuk
The cute little electric three-wheeler will be a permanent fixture at the Al Quoz arts and culture district until August. The idea is to save visitors from having to walk around in the scorching heat while they move around the arts and culture hub carrying around their shopping or takeaway meals. There’s always the added advantage of the tuk-tuk being an adorable prop for some really cool snaps for your social media.
6. Bag a free hotel stay when you book tickets to Dubai Parks and Resorts in July
A trip to a themepark and the chance to pamper yourself with a staycation? That’s an offer you shouldn’t refuse. Rove Hotels has a special summer offer running till the end of July where purchasing tickets to Dubai Parks and Resorts gets you a free overnight hotel stay in Rove At The Park hotel. The all-access tickets also ushers you in to not one, but all three themeparks inside Dubai Parks and Resorts – one of which is a waterpark. And kids under 12 go free. Find more details here
7. Grab your free gym membership at this Dubai gym if you’re a teenager
While we don’t miss teenage angst, we do miss the free perks that are handed out to the young. Case in point being this free month-long gym membership deal being offered at Snap Fitness. (Those memberships cost a pretty penny, ya know). Kids between the ages of 13-17 years can sign up at any of the three Snap Fitness locations in Motor City, Media City and Downtown Dubai for a month’s free membership. Find details on how to sign up here
8. Step inside the paintings of Van Gogh at this mesmerising digital art exhibition
It’s one thing to gaze awestruck at Starry Night but it’s a whole other deal to be surrounded by it in 360 degrees – entire rooms will be transformed into a canvas. That and more is what awaits you at this glorious Van Gogh x Japan digital art exhibition at the Theatre of Digital Arts in Dubai until end of July. What’s the Japan connection, you ask? Well, I’m glad you did. Van Gogh drew inspiration from an array of different genres and art forms from around the world. Japanese woodblock painting known as Ukiyo-e ranks high on the list of art styles that inspired him.
Besides appreciating beautiful art at this Instagram paradise of an exhibit, you can also participate in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, sign up for Ikebana flower arrangement workshops and attend sessions about the art of Haiku. Get your tickets here
9-10. Step out of the sun and into the cool glow of these indoor candlelight concerts
Light up your summer evenings by making musical memories at these fabulous candlelight concerts happening in Dubai on July 14 and July 15.
On July 14, Chopin’s Best Works come to life at Majlis Madinat Jumeirah through piano renditions. Pianist Aldo Dotto will weave musical magic as he plays Nocturne in C sharp minor op, Prelude op. 28 n. 4 and other memorable tunes from the iconic Polish composer’s repertoire.
Get tickets here
Only July 15, Coldplay’s melodious alternative rock ballads will fill the halls of Majlis Madinat Jumeirah. Pianist Aldo Dotto will tinkle the ivories and reproduce classical instrumental covers of the British band’s greatest hits, such as Sky Full of Stars, Hymn for the Weekend, Paradise, Clocks and more. Find tickets here
Both concerts will be held at Madinat Jumeirah with special perks you can enjoy – candlelight concert ticket holders get 20% discounts on their total dinner bill at Zheng He’s and Hanaya. There’s more – you also 20% off on purchases at French patisserie restaurant Margaux’s pop-up located in Majlis’ A Salaam pre-function area.
11. Take a trip to Hawaii at Saddle Cafe’s new themed pop-up
Every summer, the homegrown dining concept Saddle Cafe wows Dubai residents with a fresh new pop-up decor that transports them to far ends of the world without leaving the city. After delighting diners with the hot air balloons of Cappadocia, Turkey in 2022, they’re bringing the easy-breezy vacation vibes of Hawaii to Dubai in July. The tropical decor here is matched by a tropical menu that truly captures the Aloha spirit with coconut milkshakes, pineapple and coconut ice creams and a quenching Hawaiian refresher mocktail.
12. For more tropic thunder, head to Barasti’s Disco Tropicana summer tent
The Dubai Marina bar’s air-conditioned summer tent is hotly anticipated every year because of the quirky themes it belts out. After last years’ rainforest-themed pool and garden, the veteran watering hole is back with a Disco Tropicana tent. Wild foliage mixes in with the razzle-dazzle of disco-era bling and a ton of brunches, happy hours and pool deals make it a winning concept.
13. Sip on some Grease-inspired milkshakes at the Craft Table
Artisan bakery and cafe, Craft Table, at Paramount Hotel Dubai has taken Summer Lovin’ to a whole new level with milkshakes inspired by the movie Grease. As long as the sun’s out and burning up, you can cool off with delicious drinks modelled after the cult movie such as The Carrot Cake Sandra Dee, The Red Velvet Pink Lady, or The Chocolate T-Bird.
Milkshakes start from AED 59; available daily
14. Attend a spellbinding piano concert at the Dubai Opera
Venetian pianist Alessandro Taverna will perform for one day only on July 23 at the Dubai Opera as part of the VIP Classical concert series organised by SAMIT Events. You’ll be treated to a musical mix of melodies and genres, from Frédéric Chopin‘s Andante spianato, rousing scores from Richard Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde to George Gershwin’s lively Rhapsody in Blue that’s emblematic of the Jazz Age. Get tickets here
15-23. Celebrate French National Day at these magnifique French restaurants in Dubai
July 14 is French National Day, also known as Bastille Day. Whether you’re French, French-speaking or a francophile whose vocabulary hits a wall at ‘bonjour’ these 9 French restaurants will delight you. From lip-smacking moules frites to boeuf bourguignon and crumbly croissants, there’s something here for everyone and these eateries embody the je ne sais quoi vibe of Parisian life.
24-25. Cool off with a delicious summer swim at these 4 new beaches in Dubai
Are you a self-confessed water baby? Then you’d like to H2know that there 4 new fabulous beaches have sprung up in our seaside city. Three of them are beaches that now allow night swimming, giving you nocturnal things to do in Dubai this July once the sun sets. The fourth is a brand new public beach that is Dubai’s first pet-friendly beach. That means you get to not only enjoy some dreamy moonlight swims this summer but also splash around in the waves with your canine and feline friends. Ain’t Dubai life a beach?