November 18th, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: Going to the UAE on a weekend and need to know how to spend the time there? This is a compilation of the best things to do on the UAE weekend based on current trends and events in the area of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. You want adventure, culture or simply fun, there is something here that would not disappoint.

1. Move around and Play and burn calories.

Fun and fitness are one thing that have been combined in one of the best things to do on the UAE weekend at the venues. To give an example, in Loco bear in Al Quoz you can engage in a game called a Burn to Earn campaign: having burned 500 calories you can get a game-credits, and having burned 1,000 calories you can get even more credits. Come with your smartwatch or your fitness band, sign up and watch how your energy turns into fun. It is a wonderful choice, when you would like to spend your weekend active, social, and quite different.

From Culture to Adventure: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best things to do on the UAE weekend

2. Dive into art and culture

In case you want a more relaxed, yet enriching experience, one can find several art-packed experiences in town. In DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) it has an event called an Art Nights where artists perform and provide entertainment. Meanwhile, at the Expo City Dubai you won’t leave without the Dhai Dubai Light Art Exhibition, immersive works of light-installations, workshops and culture talk sessions which makes it the ideal place to spend a creative weekend outing and one of the best things to do on the UAE weekend.

3. Food, tastes and party cravings.

Indulgence is made during weekends and food is one of the best ways to indulge oneself and best things to do on UAE weekend. Go to the Taste of Abu Dhabi in the Gateway Park North on Yas Island, where fifteen leading restaurants of Abu Dhabi are preparing menus of their choice, live performances and craft treats make the place vibrant. Celebrity chefs workshops and classes are also part of the attraction and the best things to do on the UAE weekend. It is an excellent option in case you want to enjoy the new tastes, hang out with the gastronomic nation, and enjoy the night in the atmosphere of gastronomic pleasure.

4. Fan experiences: K-pop and hit shows.

To unleash pop culture, there is an outstanding event at the Riverland Dubai as part of the K-EXPO UAE, live shows by the girl band Billie and a celeb Jung Won-Young. The stage will be set on fire with two shows (6 pm and 7:15 pm). In case you like K-Pop or live performances, this is a must visit. And then, if you are in the mood to be more theatrical, there is a play at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray that discusses secrets and relationships with an Arabic twist. It is one of the most popular options amongst the best things to do on UAE weekend.

5. Scatter the excitement of simulation gameplay

To immerse oneself in something audacious and captivating, one can jump into the world of Stranger Things, not streaming but in an experience in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Travel in the footsteps of Eleven, Mike, Will, and others, and reveal secrets and enter into games in Hawkins. It is spooky, entertaining, and an excellent weekend outing when one needs an adventure, and one of the best things to do on the UAE weekend.

6. Sky-high fitness challenge

When you feel particularly adventurous and are willing to do something that is a bit out of the ordinary, one of the best things to do on UAE weekend is that you can consider the triathlon training located in the Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah a mix of rowing, cycling and running, all with the breathtaking skyline as a backdrop. It is early (5 am) hence it is most appropriate to those who rise early or exercise enthusiasts who do not want their weekend to go to waste, and is one of the best things to do on the UAE weekend.

Their mix is diverse, fitness and food make culture and pop-music, there is something to everybody.

They also exploit the vibes of the weekend, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are at their best during the weekends and events and exhibits are vibrant, and the best things to do on the UAE weekend.

They serve various levels of energy, be it an adrenaline rush or a relaxing stroll through the art streets, you have a choice.

They cash in on what the UAE do best, combining international infrastructure, international culture and local flavor.

Key points to plan some of the best things to do on the UAE weekend

•Book ahead: A lot of these experiences (in particular, food experiences or immersive activities) must be booked.

•Check timing: Some events begin early (e.g., 5 am triathlon), or those that end late, and so you may want to choose according to your comfort.

•Budget: There are free ones (e.g., light art exhibition), and some will be more expensive. Hence, plan your spending.

•Prepare: In case you do events related to fitness, you should have the right gear (smartwatch, sports clothes).

•Remember location: There are events in Dubai, and there are events in Abu Dhabi and you are ready to do or see everything, so you need to make a choice where to base your weekend in (or to be a hopper).

Whichever way you are going to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or you intend to travel between the two, these concepts are a combination of fun, culture and luxury. Choose what suits your mood and best things to do on the UAE weekend will be one to remember.