Dubai’s Weekend Guide: The Best Events, Brunches & Nightlife

Good day, Dubai.

January weekends in this city get busy fast. There’s always more happening than you can realistically fit in - concerts, brunches, shows, beach days, late nights - all competing for the same few days off.

This guide is here to make things easier. These are the events actually worth planning around, whether you’re booking something big or just seeing where the weekend takes you.

Let’s start with the biggest bookings.

A long-standing favourite on Dubai’s comedy calendar, The Laughter Factory returns with its January tour, featuring a rotating lineup of international stand-up comedians. Each night delivers three different performers, short, punchy sets, and consistently strong crowd energy.

It’s one of the safest comedy bookings in the city - casual enough for first-time comedy-goers, sharp enough for regulars, and perfect for midweek or weekend plans.

📅 Dates: Fri, 09 Jan - Sat, 17 Jan
📍 Location: Different Locations
💰 Cost: From AED 160+
👉 Book comedy nights

Writer, poet, lyricist, and comedian Varun Grover brings a more reflective, intelligent form of comedy to Dubai. Expect observational humour layered with storytelling, social commentary, and moments that blur the line between stand-up and spoken word.

This is a quieter, more thoughtful comedy night - ideal if you prefer substance over punchlines.

📅 Date: Sat, 10 Jan
📍 Dubai Auditorium, Dubai College
💰 Cost: From AED 165+
👉 Get tickets

Fast-paced, high-energy, and extremely relatable, Jeeveshu Ahluwalia’s comedy style thrives on crowd interaction and everyday observations. This show is designed to be loud, social, and fun - ideal for group nights out.

📅 Date: Sun, 11 Jan
📍 Emirates Theatre
💰 Cost: From AED 99+
👉 Reserve your seat

One of the most anticipated South Indian music events of the season, Rockstar Anirudh, arrives in Dubai with a full-scale concert production. Expect high-energy visuals, massive sing-along moments, and a setlist packed with chart-topping hits.

This is an arena-style concert with a passionate fanbase - tickets are expected to move quickly.

📅 Date: Sun, 11 Jan
📍 Coca-Cola Arena
💰 Cost: From AED 195+
👉 Book tickets

An emotive Persian-language concert set in the refined indoor setting of Zabeel Theatre. Roozbeh Bemani’s performances focus on lyrical depth, live instrumentation, and intimate audience connection rather than spectacle.

📅 Date: Fri, 09 Jan
📍 Zabeel Theatre
💰 Cost: TBA
👉 Buy tickets

A major arena concert by one of the Arab world’s most respected vocalists. Expect a polished production, emotional ballads, and a crowd spanning generations.

📅 Date: Fri, 09 Jan
📍 Coca-Cola Arena
💰 Cost: From AED 170+
👉 View concert details

A comedy-forward Arabic-language performance combining humour, storytelling, and audience engagement. The smaller theatre setting makes this feel more personal than arena-style shows.

📅 Date: Sat, 10 Jan
📍 Zabeel Theatre
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 Book now

A grand operatic production staged at Dubai Opera, combining classical composition, dramatic storytelling, and elaborate costuming. This is a full cultural evening - slower paced, visually rich, and designed for traditional opera audiences.

📅 Dates: Sat, 10 Jan - Sun, 11 Jan
📍 Dubai Opera
💰 Cost: From AED 300+
👉 Book opera tickets

A winter classic returns with full orchestration, traditional choreography, and festive staging. This remains one of Dubai’s most dependable cultural bookings during winter.

📅 Dates: Sun, 11 Jan
📍 Zabeel Theatre
💰 Cost: From AED 159+
👉 See Nutcracker dates

A contemporary stage production focused on character-driven storytelling in an intimate theatre environment. Ideal for audiences who enjoy modern plays over spectacle-heavy shows.

📅 Date: Fri, 09 Jan
📍 The Junction
💰 Cost: From AED 120+
👉 View show details

A spiritually inspired musical performance blending poetry, live vocals, and instrumentation. Designed to be immersive and reflective rather than theatrical in a traditional sense.

📅 Date: Sat, 10 Jan
📍 The Junction
💰 Cost: From AED 299+
👉 Book tickets

A standout electronic booking in the desert, Fideles brings melodic techno to Terra Solis under the Tomorrowland banner. This is a music-led crowd with long sets, immersive lighting, and a strong after-dark atmosphere - very different from standard club nights.

📅 Fri, 09 Jan
📍 Terra Solis Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 200+
👉 Get tickets

A high-energy beach festival built around peak-time drops and open-air staging. Expect a loud, social crowd and a full sunset-to-night progression.

📅 Sat, 10 Jan
📍 Barasti, Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 Book entry

A more intimate electronic night curated by Eden Presents, focusing on groove-heavy house music and a quality-first audience.

📅 Fri, 09 Jan
📍 Cavo, Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 150+
👉 See event info

A late-night club event with international guest DJs, strong visuals, and a fashion-forward crowd. Expect peak activity after midnight.

📅 Fri, 09 Jan
📍 Bohemia at Five Palm Jumeirah
💰 Cost: From AED 100+
👉 Get tickets

A deeper electronic night aimed at underground music fans, featuring multiple international selectors and extended sets.

📅 Sat, 10 Jan
📍 Bohemia at Five Palm Jumeirah
💰 Cost: From AED 100+
👉 Book now

A theatrical dining experience combining live performances, choreography, and a seated dinner format. Ideal if you want a full evening plan without hopping venues.

📅 Fri, 09 Jan & Sat, 10 Jan
📍 Troy, Ramee Dream Hotel
💰 Cost: From AED 350+
👉 Reserve your table

A culturally focused dinner show blending Arabic music, live entertainment, and curated menus. Slower-paced than party brunches, making it suitable for mixed-age groups.

📅 Sat, 10 Jan
📍 Troy, Ramee Dream Hotel
💰 Cost: From AED 100+
👉 Book dinner show

A late-night brunch format designed to bridge dinner and nightlife, featuring live entertainment and a dressed-up crowd.

📅 Sat, 10 Jan - Sat, 07 Feb
📍 TATEL Dubai
💰 Cost: From AED 390+
👉 View brunch details

A high-energy, music-led brunch known for bold flavours, flowing drinks, and a packed room that often rolls straight into the night.

📅 Sat, 10 Jan
📍 The link, one za'abeel
💰 Cost: From AED 444+
👉 Book brunch

A glam, party-forward brunch concept built around music, late-afternoon energy, and an after-party crowd.

📅 Fri 09 Jan - Fri 13 Feb
📍 La Camera! By TOTÓ
💰 Cost: From AED 475+
👉 See details

Dubai’s citywide winter festival continues with retail activations, concerts, street performances, drone shows, and fireworks across multiple districts.

📅 Ongoing
📍 Citywide
👉 See DSF events

Weekly fireworks lighting up Festival City, Downtown, and other DSF zones.

📅 Selected January nights
📍 Multiple locations
💰 Cost: Free
👉 View fireworks schedule

A large-scale automotive and motorbike showcase featuring custom builds, enthusiast zones, and live demonstrations.

📅 Wed, 08 Jan – Sun, 12 Jan
📍 Dubai Studio City
💰 Cost: From AED 37.5+
👉 Event info

Expect ideal winter conditions across the weekend:

• Daytime: 23–25°C
• Evenings: 14–16°C
• Clear skies, light breeze
• Perfect for beach clubs, outdoor brunches, and night events

That completes your Wednesday edition of Dubai Minute.

This weekend rewards planning, not overplanning. Lock in one or two anchor events, then let the city fill in the rest.

We’ll see you Friday with a tight, top-picks-only weekend edit.

– Matthias