14 free activities in Dubai on a Saturday night

Time Out Dubai

9 hours ago

Desperate for a night where the bill comes to Dhs0? We hear you.
Sometimes you have to give the bank account a little break and feel the satisfaction of not having to fork out on the weekend.
But don't worry – a free Saturday night by no means has to be boring, especially in the winter months.
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So get off the couch and get ready for a fun evening that won't cost you a thing — isn't that a nice thought.
Free activities in Dubai on a Saturday night
Spend the evening at Alserkal Avenue
Things to do for free on a Saturday night in Dubai (Credit: Supplied)
There is a great range of free activities you can do at Alserkal, from viewing art to window shopping, and occasionally you can even catch a free film at the Akil cinema – but make sure you check the website first.
The art is endless if you're in the mood to get lost in it, and make sure to stop in at the Mestaria and Zawyeh galleries if you can.
Open daily, 7am-10pm (individual store timings vary). Al Quoz, alserkal.online (04 333 3464).
Watch the fish at Dubai Aquarium
Things to do for free on a Saturday night in Dubai (Credit: Supplied)
Located in Dubai Mall, take a browse around the stores with a route that will leads you to the aquarium.
Although you have to pay to go inside, you can still see a huge section of the tank from outside, for free. Let yourself be mesmerised by the different creatures without paying for the full experience.
From reef sharks to stingrays and endless species of fish, take a few photos and watch the underwater magic unfold.
Open Mon-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri-Sun 10am-midnight, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, thedubaimall.com (800 3822 462 55).
Check out Chinatown
Free things to do on a Saturday night (Credit: Dubai Mall)
Take a walk through Chinatown in Dubai Mall and get an authentic Asian experience for a few hours.
Located on the first floor opposite the Dubai Ice Rink this area has stands and shops showcasing elegant plates and ceramics, as well as some incredible ceiling decorations that you're going to want to snap a selfie with.
Open daily, 10am-midnight.The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai. thedubaimall.com/chinatown
Get thinking at the Foundry Art Space
Things to do for free on a Saturday night in Dubai (Credit: Supplied)
The art space offers you an entire evening of activities that you don't need to spend a penny on. From thought-provoking open exhibitions to talks and film screenings, there are even cool elevated pods to curl up in with a good book.
The displays change on a monthly rotation, so you can head along every few weeks if you want to see something different.
You might also like: 7 must-see art shows in Dubai for 2025
Open daily, 10am-10pm. Boulevard Crescent, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, foundry-downtowndubai.ae (04 367 3696).
Wander around Souk Madinat
Want to get some prime tourist snaps? You'll get a mega view of Burj Al Arab, by day or night, and it's always hustling and bustling with people ensuring a welcoming atmosphere.
Stroll around the stalls and check out some cute trinkets and tourists favourites from jewellery to dupes of the viral Dubai chocolate.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Open daily 10am-11pm. Al Sufouh, jumeirah.com (04 366 8888).
Stroll through City Walk
The shopping destination comes to life at night, and you can visit without spending a dirham.
City Walk is packed with the work of local artists, who have turned the area into an open-air exhibition. If you're looking for a sick new Instagram post, you'll find it here.
citywalk.ae
Sign up for a free gym trial
Things to do for free on a Saturday night in Dubai (Credit: BOXiQ)
If you want Saturday to be all about sweating it out, sign up for a range of free gym and class trials across Dubai.
For all of the ladies, boutique gym FitnGlam offers a free trial session, where you can test out both the facilities and a class at any of its three locations. Or if boxing might be more your thing, schedule in a session and head to BoxIQ in Al Quoz.
Check out our full guide on free fitness classes in Dubai for more.
FitnGlam, various locations, fitnglam.ae (04 333 2215). BoxIQ, open Mon-Thurs, 6am-9pm, Fri, 6am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm. Al Joud Centre, Al Quoz, boxiq.me (058 563 6123).
Explore the Gold Souk at night
Things to do for free on a Saturday night in Dubai (Credit: Canva)
Wander through the traditional old souk on a Saturday night and watch as the vendors try to sell you their latest fineries.
You don't need to haggle for a bargain to enjoy the experience, instead make the most of browsing each stall without the pressure of having to find anything.
If you find a few spare dirhams in your pocket, there's also the option to end the evening with a Dhs2 abra ride along the canal before heading home.
Open daily, 9am-9pm. Deira, Al Ras.
Chill out under the Al Wasl dome
(Credit: supplied)
This gigantic steel dome stretches over 67 metres in the air, and you can stroll around inside it for no cost at all.
Housing the largest 360-degree projection surface in the world (Dubai doesn't do things by halves), every day after sunset you can head along to watch the incredible light shows at the Expo City venue.
One of the best free things to do in the city, the venue has even hosted the likes of Coldplay and Alicia Keys (that's how cool it is).
Open daily (projections start from sunset). Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City, expocitydubai.com (800 39762489).
Take a drive to Love Lake
Things to do for free on a Saturday night in Dubai (Credit: Supplied)
The ultimate romantic spot, the two intertwined hearts are a beautiful sight at sunset, so why not take a drive out in the early evening. Take a picnic with you to make the most of this nature-filled moment. The area is home to over 100 different species of animals, flowers and plants, so grab a pair of binoculars if you fancy a little wildlife immersion too.
Not costing you a thing, enjoy the man-made beauty spot by heading out along the D63 route and turning right onto the road for Al Qudra Lakes.
Open Mon-Sun, 9am-5pm, Sun 12.30pm-5pm. Al Qudra.
Turn some pages at Mohammed bin Rashid Library
Things to do for free on a Saturday night in Dubai (Credit: Supplied)
Sometimes it's a treat to have a quieter Saturday evening, but you don't have to be at home to do it. If you want to slow down the pace, why not spend a few hours browsing the books at Mohammed bin Rashid Library. Spread over seven floors, there's over 1 million books waiting to be read, from atlases and religious manuscripts to poetry and literature.
Once you're done exploring, sit down, flick through a few pages and watch the evening disappear as you get lost in a story.
Open Mon-Thurs, 9am-9pm, Fri, 2pm-9pm, Sat, 9am-9pm, Sun, closed. Al Jaddaf, mbrl.ae (800 627 523).
Night swimming at Kite Beach
Things to do for free on a Saturday night in Dubai (Credit: Canva)
The beach is open after dark, and is completely free if you want to head down and take a dip. Floodlit by large lamps letting swimmers head out safely, you float underneath the moon and enjoy the warm waters for the evening.
You might also like: Three beaches are open for night swimming in Dubai
If you want to make a night of it, why not head down before sunset bringing a picnic from home, then watch sun dip behind Burj Al Arab before having a star-lit swim.
Open daily, from sunset-sunrise. Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim.
Watch the IMAGINE laser show
Get ready to be awestruck, as this multi-Guinness World Record holder at Festival Bay is one of the best free activities in Dubai to do on a Saturday night.
A fabulous feat of engineering and choreography, the show uses high-powered lasers, more than 70 searchlights, water screens, projections, music, flames and fountains to wow the crowds with a stunning show of light and colour.
Free. Mon-Thu 7pm-10pm, Fri-Sun 7pm-11pm (every hour). Dubai Festival City Mall, dubaifestivalcitymall.com (800 332).
Try stargazing
If you don't want to fork out, then this is the perfect time to pack up the car and drive out to a quiet stargazing spot.
Whether you've got all the kit and the telescope in tow or you're just planning on looking up, take a couple of camping chairs and admire the view. From select spots in Hatta to areas much deeper into the desert, check out our full guide on all the best places to get a cracking view here.
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