10 brilliant things to do this Islamic New Year in Dubai
The official date of Islamic New Year 2025 is still to be announced based on the next official moon sighting.
However, both public and private sectors have had a public holiday confirmed for Friday June 27, meaning we're all getting a three-day weekend.
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If you're in need of some inspo on how to spend it, here are some of the best things to get up to over the next few days.
The best things to do for Islamic New Year in Dubai
Try a night swim at Atlantis The Royal
The dreamy pool club at Atlantis The Royal is offering a night swim, where you can take a moonlight dip while watching the fountain (and fire) show.
Take a few lengths then relax at a poolside table with a mixed drink or two or the spicy rock shrimp tempura. Letting you sip in style, there will be live DJ sets all the way until 11pm.
Dhs150 (non-redeemable). Fri, 8pm-11pm. Atlantis The Royal, nobubythebeach.com (04 426 1600).
Have a caviar-hair treatment at ALKEMY
(Credit: Supplied)
For a spot of luxe pampering, hope into a seat at the ALKEMY salon, nestled into Atlantis The Palm.
Offering up the VIP treatment, you can have your hair lathered in a special caviar treatment (plus a blow-dry and trim) for less than Dhs500.
You'll be swishing those luscious locks all over the place after this one.
Dhs490. Open Sat-Thu 10am-8pm; Fri 9.30am-8pm. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, atlantis.com (056 243 9699).
Check out a brand-new burger bar
Set aside some time in your weekend to check out DIME, one of the coolest new burger spots in town.
Forget overwhelming menus, the team here are perfecting just two signature burgers, with everything made in-house – buns, sauces, the works.
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Pair it with a side of crispy nuggets and waffle fries and you've got yourself a real treat.
Open daily 5pm-1am. Jumeirah Garden City, Al Satwa @dimesburger.
Take the kiddos for a free meal
(Credit: Supplied)
The long-weekend marks the start of the school holidays in Dubai, so this would be the perfect time to entertain the little ones with a fun meal out (that you don't need to pay for).
From cheesy pizzas and stacked burgers to delicious dim sums, here are all the best places that kids can eat free this weekend.
Join a ladies' night run
Credit: Offside
Lace up your trainers and join the all-ladies She Dares run club as they take on a 3km route along JBR and back.
Start by grabbing your glow sticks and either walking, jogging or running the distance, before all meeting back at Offside sports bar for a bite, three drinks and some live DJs for the rest of the evening.
Dhs120. Fri Jun 27, from 7pm. JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR @shedaresrunclub (055 862 1967).
Treat yourself to a spa-cation
(Credit: Supplied)
If you fancy a little getaway this weekend, the Address Sky View is offering guests 20 percent off all spa treatments and retail items so you can get your pamper mode on.
From a deep hot stone massage looking out over the Burj Khalifa to a detox body wrap, you can definitely switch-off here.
Prices vary. Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, addresshotels.com (04 873 8888).
Tuck into lunch at SUSHISAMBA
(Credit: SUSHISAMBA)
Make the most of your Friday off by heading round to the sky-high Palm Jumeirah restaurant for its Vivo business lunch.
Letting you tuck into two courses for Dhs169, dive into a selection of sizzling dishes from salmon tiradito to chicken taquitos, Angus tenderloin and a glazed black cod.
Dhs169 (two courses), Dhs219 (three courses). Mon-Fri, noon-3pm. The Palm Tower, sushisamba.com (04 278 4888).
Have a family day out at Jameel Arts Centre
Credit: Jameel Arts Centre
Getting the whole family to unleash their creative side, you'll be guided round the Seas are sweet, fish tears are salty exhibition.
Then it's time for everyone to get their turn trying their hand at the crafts, from creating tomato face mask to object drawing and printmaking.
Free. Sat Jun 28, 11am-4pm. Jaddaf Waterfront, jameelartscentre.org (04 873 9800).
Play some Dhs10 games
(Credit: Supplied)
Celebrating its second birthday, GLITCH is offering up everything from bowling games, adrenaline-pumping laser-tag sessions and even 200 game points for just Dhs10 each.
A bargain afternoon activity, head down to the food hall in the Al Ghurair Centre to refuel afterwards.
From Dhs10. Jun 27-29, 10am-noon. Al Ghurair Centre, Deira, glitcharabia.com (04 886 1695).
Groove it out at Jev's Coffee Jam
Go get your caffeine fix and soak up the vibes with Jev's Coffee Jam, which is taking over Al Quoz spot Verda this weekend.
Hosting the session with Breaking Bread, you can meet some cool new people and dance along to DJ sets with tracks from 80s throwbacks to house.
Paired with speciality coffee and bites to keep your energy up, you're in for a buzzing afternoon.
Sun Jun 29, from noon. Verda, Al Quoz, breakbread.com
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