Good Day, Dubai!
November in Dubai is doing what it does best: going big. And it’s National Month in the UAE.
From opulent dinner shows and creative festivals to mega music events and new luxury hotels, this month is bigger and better than we all hoped it would be. Whether you’re a foodie, fitness lover, design enthusiast, or concert chaser, there’s something for everyone.
Grab your coffee (or karak), open your calendar, and let’s line up a month that feels a little bit VIP.
LOCAL BUSINESS
🍽️ New on the Dining Radar
OPENING THIS MONTH
Cala 399 – Ghantoot - Finding your next spot for poolside lounging, beach access & massive DJ lineups? A new day-to-night beach club on the former Blue Marlin site will open soon this month | Opening Nov 2025
Lion in the Sun – Mandarin Oriental Downtown - Nothing beats a glam sky-top Mediterranean dining, and this one by chef Batuhan Piatti Zeynioglu, inspired by Kenya’s celeb-loved Lion in the Sun retreat, is one of its kind. | Opening Nov 2025
Maison Mer – Pearl Jumeira Island – Chic Provençal restaurant by Nikki Beach Group with limestone archways, coastal vibes & shareable French-Med plates | Opening Nov 2025
Son of a Fish – Dubai Harbour - Experience Greek seafood with a twist, coastal views, minimal interiors & modern Aegean beats | Opening Nov 2025
TANSŌ – Jumeirah Street - Modern Japanese villa-restaurant focused on charcoal grilling, sushi, and chef-led tasting menus | Opening mid-Nov 2025
TIMELESS – Al Habtoor City - Design-forward, low-noise luxe lounge hidden in Meera Tower with sculptural cocktails and desert-inspired elegance | Opening end of Nov 2025
NEW/MOVING
Billionaire Dubai – Mandarin Oriental Downtown
Billionaire Dubai is bringing its signature mix of immersive performances, live music, and fine dining, all under one glamorous roof, to Mandarin Oriental Downtown. Expect experiences full of glitz, glamour, and gourmet dining.
Where: Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai
Status: Now open
COMING UP THIS WEEK
📅 Tuesday
Dubai Premier Padel P1 2025 @ Hamdan Sports Complex
Main draw kicks off with the world’s top padel players in action - matches run through Sunday, tickets from AED 45.
Nov 9–16, 2025 | Matches daily from 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Coca-Cola Arena | Dubai Basketball vs Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade
EuroLeague showdown as Dubai Basketball hosts Serbian giants Crvena Zvezda - big-game atmosphere, from AED 75
Tue, Nov 11, 2025 | 8:00 PM tip-off (doors open 6:30 PM)
Dubai Opera | Khyel Sahra
Lebanese theatre heavyweights Georges Khabbaz & Adel Karam share the stage in a social dramedy, one night only, to start
Tue, Nov 11 & Wed, Nov 12, 2025 | 9:00 PM (doors open 8:30 PM, runtime ~80 mins)
📅 Wednesday
Dubai Opera | Khyel Sahra – Night Two
Second and final performance of the hit Lebanese production — if you missed Tuesday, this is your last shot | 9 PM
Expo City Dubai | Dhai Dubai Light Art Exhibition
Opening night of the Emirati-led light art festival at Al Wasl Plaza with immersive installations and photo-perfect projections
Nov 12–18, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM daily
Expo City Dubai | Emirates NBD Unity Run
Inclusive community run celebrating people of determination, with races and family activities through Expo City
Sun, Nov 16, 2025 | 6:00 AM start (3km, 5km, 10km categories)
📅 WEEKEND GUIDE (Nov 14–16)
Friday - Nov 14
Dubai Fitness Challenge - Citywide | Free workouts all day
Dubai Design Week - Last chance to explore installations at d3 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (final day Nov 9, but installations linger until Nov 14)
Dinner + Show at Billionaire Dubai - Mandarin Oriental Downtown | 8:00 PM onwards
Saturday - Nov 15
Sunday - Nov 16
Dubai Fitness Challenge - Keep the streak alive citywide | Ongoing
UNTOLD Festival Finale - Last night of live sets and festival vibes | 4:00 PM – 3:00 AM (Nov 6–9, finale night Nov 9)
EVENTS / THINGS TO DO
Dubai Fitness Challenge 30x30
Get moving, Dubai! The annual 30x30 challenge returns, inviting residents to complete 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days. Join fitness villages, free classes, and community workouts across the city.
Date & Location: Nov 1-30 | Citywide | Daily all-day activities
Join here
The Retail Summit
Join a gathering of global retail leaders for networking, innovation, and industry insights.
Date & Location: Nov 11-12 | Atlantis, The Palm | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Get tickets
Global Black Billionaires Summit & Diamond Gala
The event unites business leaders, creators, and investors from around the world for a glamorous, multi-day experience.
Date & Location: Nov 11–15 | Dubai | 10:00 AM – late evenings
Event link
Dhai Dubai Light Art Exhibition
Experience an immersive light‑art show with seven new works by Emirati artists under the theme “Light Influences Life” at Expo City Dubai’s Al Wasl Plaza.
Date & Location: 12–18 Nov 2025 | Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai
Experience the Dhai Dubai Light Art Exhibition Dubai
DIFC Art Nights 2025
Enjoy a four‑day city‑wide creativity festival in the heart of the financial district featuring art, digital workshops, murals, and live music.
Date & Location: 13–16 Nov 2025 | DIFC & Gate Village, Dubai | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM daily
Find out more about DIFC Art Nights
Dubai Run Presented by Mai Dubai
Join a group running event as part of the Fitness Challenge. Anyone can join; the choice is yours, from 5 km and 10 km, and you’ll be running past Dubai’s major landmarks.
Get to Dubai Run
Big 5 Global 2025
Join the leading construction‑industry expo showcasing innovations in urban development, plant, machinery & sustainability;
Date & Location: 24-27 Nov 2025 | Dubai World Trade Centre | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
More info
🏨 NEW OPENINGS & EXPERIENCES
Mandarin Oriental Downtown
Dubai’s newest luxury landmark, complete with 259 rooms, a rooftop pool, signature restaurants, and a full-service spa, redefines elegance in Downtown.
Where: Downtown Dubai | When: Opened Nov 2025
Find out more
Ciel Dubai Marina (Vignette Collection)
The soon-to-open 365m skyscraper is set to claim the title of the world’s tallest hotel - with sky lounges, rooftop pools, and unreal Marina views.
Where: Dubai Marina | When: Opening soon
See updates
🎵 LIVE MUSIC / SPORTS
UNTOLD Dubai Festival - Nov 6-10 | Daily 4:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Teddy Swims - Nov 22 | Performing live in Dubai | 9:00 PM (doors open 8:00 PM)
Deep Purple - Nov 20 | Rock legends returning to the stage | 8:00 PM (doors open 7:00 PM)
Adriatique present X - Nov 15 | Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour | 6:00 PM onwards
CITY EXTRA
AE National Month: Dubai’s gearing up for Eid Al Etihad
Dubai is in full “National Month” mode again, with a citywide programme running from 3 November to 2 December led by Brand Dubai under the #ZayedAndRashid campaign. This year’s edition stretches from Flag Day through Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) and packs in heritage events, fitness activations, family shows, and patriotic art across the city.
Highlights range from beachside flag installations to concerts, fireworks, and community events at malls, parks, and heritage districts. Basically, wherever you go this month, something “National Day” is happening.
A few National Month stops to add to your list:
AE Flag Garden – Jumeirah Beach - 11,000+ UAE flags arranged into huge portraits of the Founding Fathers; open daily till 10 Jan 2026.
Global Village - Eid Al Etihad Nights - Fireworks in UAE colours from Dec 1-3 (9 PM), plus traditional Yola shows and local food stalls.
Old Dubai Heritage Spots (Al Fahidi & Shindagha) - Cultural performances, workshops, and storytelling sessions focused on Emirati history and traditions.
UAE launches 6G initiative after record-breaking test
The UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) has announced a new 6G Initiative, just weeks after e& UAE and NYU Abu Dhabi completed the first 6G Terahertz pilot in the Middle East, hitting a record 145 Gbps download speed.
The initiative brings together government entities, universities, operators, and global tech companies to start shaping how 6G will be rolled out in the country - from ultra-fast connectivity and holographic calls to next-gen smart city and AI applications.
That’s a wrap for today!
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– Matthias
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