Dubai Minute: Your Complete Weekend Events Guide

Good day, Dubai.

January is settling into its strongest rhythm of the season. The weather is cooperative, the city is fully back from the holidays, and the weekend calendar is stacked across comedy, theatre, music, sport, nightlife, and large-scale cultural events.

This Wednesday edition is your full planning guide, not just the highlights, but everything worth knowing before Friday hits. From international touring acts and theatre staples to brunch-led days and headline nightlife bookings, this is the weekend where planning ahead actually pays off.

Let’s begin with the most time-sensitive bookings.

Tolstoy’s epic novel is brought to life on stage in a visually rich, emotionally layered theatrical adaptation. Expect grand staging, period costuming, and a production that leans into depth rather than spectacle.

📅 Dates: Sat, 17 Jan - Sun, 18 Jan
📍 Location: Dubai Opera
💰 Cost: From AED 600+
👉 Book tickets

Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunnit arrives in Dubai, delivering classic British theatre with tight pacing, sharp dialogue, and a famously unpredictable ending.

📅 Dates: Sat 17 Jan - Sun 18 Jan
📍 Location: Theatre by QE2
💰 Cost: From AED 99+
👉 Reserve seats

One of Dubai’s most reliable comedy formats returns with a rotating lineup of international stand-up comedians delivering fast-paced, no-frills comedy across multiple venues.

📅 Dates: Thu, 15 Jan - Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Dubai & Ras Al Khaimah (multiple venues)
💰 Cost: From AED 160+
👉 View show dates

Egyptian comedian Mina Nader brings sharp observational humour, cultural commentary, and crowd-led energy to a one-night stand-up performance.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 Book tickets

One of India’s biggest stand-up comedy names brings his hit show Toxic to Dubai. Known for deadpan delivery and sharply written storytelling, this is a high-demand booking.

📅 Date: Sun, 18 Jan
📍 Location: Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 125+
👉 Get tickets

Global house music heavyweight Francis Mercier headlines a full-scale Ushuaïa production. Expect Afro-house rhythms, international crowds, and large-format outdoor staging.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience
💰 Cost: From AED 250+
👉 Book tickets

Organic house, melodic deep sounds, and sunset-to-night energy at one of Dubai’s most iconic beachfront venues.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Barasti Beach
💰 Cost: From AED 75+
👉 See event details

A live electronic performance focused on immersive soundscapes and curated visuals, aimed at music-first crowds.

📅 Date: Fri, 16 Jan
📍 Location: Cavo Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 Get tickets

A nightlife-forward live music and DJ showcase combining Afro-house, melodic sets, and Cavo’s signature late-night atmosphere.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Cavo, Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 View event

International techno and house DJ Davide Squillace headlines a late-night rooftop session with skyline views and a committed club crowd.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: The Penthouse, Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 200+
👉 Book entry

An immersive dinner experience combining live performances, choreography, and a multi-course menu. Designed as a full evening commitment rather than a simple meal.

📅 Dates: Ongoing
📍 Location: Dream, Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 800+
👉 Explore the dinner show

A high-energy night brunch concept blending dining, live entertainment, and party-led pacing - built for groups and celebrations.

📅 Date: Ongoing
📍 Location: Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 350+
👉 Book brunch

A crossover brunch experience pairing bold flavours with a high-tempo social atmosphere.

📅 Date: Ongoing
📍 Location: Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 395+
👉 Reserve your spot

One of the region’s most demanding motorsport events returns to Dubai Autodrome. Teams from around the world compete in a full 24-hour endurance format, creating a continuous race atmosphere from Saturday through Sunday.

📅 Dates: Sat, 17 Jan - Sun, 18 Jan
📍 Location: Dubai Autodrome
💰 Cost: From AED 95+
👉 View race passes

A community-driven endurance event combining running and cycling, open to both competitive athletes and amateur participants. A strong option if you want a weekend plan that’s active and outdoors-focused.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 75+
👉 Register here

One of the UAE Pro League’s most followed matchups, bringing strong stadium energy and an engaged local crowd.

📅 Date: Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Zabeel Stadium
💰 Cost: From AED 20+
👉 Get match tickets

European basketball meets Dubai as Virtus Bologna takes on Dubai Basketball in a high-level international fixture.

📅 Date: Thu, 15 Jan
📍 Location: Coca-Cola Arena
💰 Cost: From AED 75+
👉 See event details

International rugby sevens returns with two full days of elite sport, entertainment zones, and one of the most social crowds of the season.

📅 Dates: This weekend
📍 Location: Dubai
💰 Cost: Ticketed
👉Check out the schedule

A large-scale wellness and fitness festival blending workouts, talks, activations, and community-led sessions.

📅 Dates: Sat, 17 Jan - Sun, 18 Jan
📍 Location: Dubai
💰 Cost: Ticketed
👉 See festival details

A cultural and sporting tradition featuring camel races, heritage showcases, and community programming.

📅 Dates: Ongoing
📍 Location: Dubai
💰 Cost: Free entry
👉 Learn more

A professional conference bringing together global experts, workshops, and keynote speakers.

📅 Dates: Ongoing till Thu, 15 Jan
📍 Location: Madinat Jumeirah
💰 Cost: Ticketed
👉 View forum details

A sunset-focused electronic set paired with BE Beach’s signature open-air, barefoot energy.

📅 Date: Friday
📍 Location: BE Beach, Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 Book tickets

A melodic, rhythm-driven beachfront session with international DJ programming.

📅 Date: Sunday
📍 Location: BE Beach, Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 View event

A daytime-to-evening brunch built around throwback anthems, live performers, and poolside energy.

📅 Date: Saturday
📍 Location: O Beach Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 395+
👉 Reserve brunch

A casual, social pool brunch that transitions smoothly into a relaxed Sunday evening.

📅 Date: Sunday
📍 Location: Bla Bla Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 299+
👉 Book now

Bla Bla – Rat Pack: Swingin’ at the Sands (Live)

A high-energy urban and open-format club night built for late hours and big crowds.
📍 Bla Bla Dubai
👉 Event details

Shutdown – BLU Dubai
A high-energy urban and open-format club night built for late hours and big crowds.
📍 BLU Dubai
👉 See more

Belcanto’s Night
A dinner-to-party experience blending live vocals with theatrical flair and late-night ambiance.
📍 Belcanto Restaurant, Dubai Opera
👉 Details

Hide Out – Al Barari Latino Night
A Latin-inspired party night with reggaeton, salsa, and open-air jungle vibes.
📍 Location: Hideout Al Barari
👉 Event info

Club Iris – Unlocked
A rooftop party with house-led sounds, skyline views, and a stylish crowd.
📍 Location: Club Iris Dubai
👉 See details

Localand – BLU Dubai
A culture-forward nightlife concept blending music, visuals, and high-impact club energy.
📍 Location: BLU Dubai
👉 More info

Francis Mercier – Night Edition
Afro-house and melodic rhythms delivered by one of the genre’s global leaders.
📍 Location: Ushuaïa Dubai
👉 Event page

Favela Disco – Salvaje
Latin house, disco edits, and high-tempo party energy in a dining-to-dance setting.
📍 Location: Salvaje Dubai
👉 See details

CÉ LA VI – She’s With Us
A polished rooftop party with commercial house, curated DJs, and skyline views.
📍 Location: CÉ LA VI Dubai
👉 More info

Barasti – Tease Me, Tempt Me
An open-air party classic with DJs, dancefloor anthems, and beachside energy.
📍 Location: Barasti Beach
👉 Event page

Surf Club – Odyssey
A sunset-to-night deep house journey with a music-first, barefoot crowd.
📍 Location: Surf Club Dubai
👉 See event

Bagatelle – Courchevel Night
A high-end Sunday soirée inspired by alpine nightlife, live acts, and party dining.
📍 Location: Bagatelle Dubai
👉 More info

BLU – La Parisienne
A Parisian streetwear-themed Sunday night featuring UK hip-hop, grime & drill music.
📍 Location: BLU Dubai
👉 Event details

If your weekend is filling fast, these are the strongest anchors:

• War & Peace at Dubai Opera
• Francis Mercier at Ushuaïa
• 24H Dubai at Autodrome
• O Beach Kisstory Brunch
• HSBC SVNS (full-day experience)

Expect ideal outdoor conditions across the weekend:

Friday: 24°C → 17°C
Saturday: 23°C → 16°C
Sunday: 22°C → 15°C

Cool evenings, mild days - perfect for beach events, outdoor sports, and late-night plans.

That wraps up your Wednesday edition of Dubai Minute.

This is one of those weekends where the city truly runs in parallel - sports, culture, nightlife, and daytime social events all happening at once. Planning ahead means less scrambling and better experiences.

We’ll see you Friday morning with the tightest weekend picks only - the best of what’s left, refined and new.

– Matthias