Our picks of the hottest happenings this weekend.
From festival feasting and arena-sized anthems to cabaret dinner shows and starry desert dining, these are the dining destinations, cultural activities, and concerts we recommend this weekend – here’s what you need to know.
Friday 6 February
Experience Taste of Dubai
Taste of Dubai returns with 16 of the region’s best restaurants, plus a roster of established and emerging chefs. Wander the festival at your own pace as each restaurant serves three to five sample-sized dishes, including at least one vegetarian option and one child-friendly dish. Expect crowd-pleasers like Akira Back, Demon Duck, Duck & Waffle, Khadak, Lowe and FACT award-winning Leña Dubai, alongside the option to upgrade with the Taste VIP Lounge. There’s also a dedicated Kids Village, plus interactive activations and hands-on sessions that have previously ranged from pasta and coffee masterclasses to mixology and workshops in food styling and photography.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Visit a drive-through photo gallery
Al Marmoom: The Living Wild is a first-of-its-kind drive-through exhibition that transforms the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve into an open-air cultural route that you experience from the comfort of your own car. Running until 8 February 2026, the showcase reframes the UAE’s largest unfenced nature reserve as a “living, breathing ecosystem” and celebrates its beauty, biodiversity, and environmental significance through art-led storytelling. At the heart of the experience are 24 photographs by His Excellency Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, Secretary General of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award. Expect rare, up-close moments captured across Al Marmoom’s wild terrain, from gazelles and desert mammals to migratory birds that use the reserve as a seasonal sanctuary, all set against vast, cinematic desert landscapes.
GO: Visit www.dubaiculture.gov.ae for more information.
Check out a new dinner show at Paris Paradis
The Dubai outpost of Paradis Latin has opened at Taj Dubai, bringing two centuries of Parisian cabaret heritage to a performance-led dining experience. Founded in 1803 under Napoleon Bonaparte and rebuilt by Gustave Eiffel in 1889, Paradis Latin is widely recognised as the oldest cabaret in Paris, and Paris Paradis aims to carry that legacy forward in a contemporary setting. Expect a show choreographed by Kamel Ouali and performed by an ensemble selected from more than 2,500 candidates, alongside Executive Chef Zouhair Bouhlal’s French Mediterranean menu. Highlights include Rossini Wagyu and Truffle Carpaccio, all served in a mosaic-filled space featuring a bespoke SICIS tiger artwork.
GO: Follow @parisparadis.dubai on Instagram for more information.
Saturday 7 February
See Mariah Carey at Saadiyat Nights
Abu Dhabi is going big. Saadiyat Nights has confirmed that Mariah Carey will return to the capital, bringing a catalogue that has defined decades of pop and R&B. With more than 220 million records sold, her setlist practically writes itself, from “Always Be My Baby” and “Emotions” to “Fantasy” and “Hero,” plus festive favourites that have become seasonal staples. In September 2025, Mariah released Here for It All, her first studio album since 2018, featuring singles such as “Type Dangerous” and “Sugar Sweet” (featuring Kehlani and Shenseea).
GO: Visit www.ticketmaster.ae for more information.
Visit the Bob Marley Birthday Festival
“The sun is shining, and the weather is sweet” at Barasti Beach on Saturday, 7 February, as the FACT award-winning beach club hosts a Bob Marley Birthday Festival. Expect reggae rhythms, DJ sets and live performances that blend classic sounds with modern twists. The line-up includes The Wailers, keeping the spirit of Bob Marley’s music front and centre, alongside local and international acts that bring the beach-party energy from day to night.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Catch the action at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
Tennis takes over Zayed Sports City as the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open returns from 31 January to 7 February 2026. The WTA 500 event features eight days of on-court action and off-court entertainment, culminating in the finals on Saturday, 7 February. The 2026 draw features 28 singles players and 16 doubles teams, led by reigning champion Belinda Bencic, alongside Elena Rybakina, Paula Badosa, Jelena Ostapenko and Ekaterina Alexandrova. Rising names like Alexandra Eala and Canada’s Victoria Mboko add a next-gen edge to the week.
GO: Visit https://platinumlist.net for more information.
Sunday 8 February
Have lunch with José Avillez and his friends
Following a successful debut, José’s & Friends returns to Tasca by José Avillez for a collaborative lunch atop Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai. Chef José Avillez joins forces with Tasca Head Chef José Barroso, plus Soleiman Haddad (Moonrise), Patricia Roig (Boca), Kelvin Cheung (Jun’s) and Carmen Rueda (Brix), with each chef contributing a dish to a five-course menu that balances individual signatures with a shared spirit. Optional sommelier pairings will also be available. Available Sunday, 8 February from 12:30pm to 4pm. AED 800 per person (five-course menu and soft beverages).
GO: Call 04 777 2231 for more information.
Visit the Sharjah Light Festival
Sharjah’s most photogenic season is back. The Sharjah Light Festival transforms key landmarks into canvases of light, projection and sound, with shows running over 13 consecutive days across the emirate. Expect dramatic displays at locations including Sharjah Mosque, University City Hall and Al Majaz Waterfront, with additional sites extending to the east coast towns of Dibba, Kalba and Khorfakkan. The designs often draw on local culture, stories and traditions, while weaving in themes of nature, space and contemporary art for a festival that feels both immersive and distinctly Sharjah.
GO: Visit www.sharjahlightfestival.ae for more information.
Dine at a new Greek taverna
Bakalis Greek Grill Taverna at Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort offers a toes-in-the-sand evening with skyline views, a live bouzouki player, and a sharing menu featuring Bakalis favourites, including whole-grilled lamb. Inspired by traditional Athenian tavernas, the restaurant centres on two olive-wood-fuelled open-fire grills and simple seasoning that lets the ingredients shine. For a beachfront Greek escape with great food and easy energy – look no further.
GO: Visit https://th8palmdubai.com for more information.
