From Lucky Ali live to La Perle: Your midweek guide to UAE entertainment.
Midweek slump? Not on our watch. From spice bags brought straight from Ireland’s late-night takeaway scene to a gravity-defying theatrical spectacle, there’s plenty happening across the UAE to make Tuesday feel a little less like Tuesday. And with the weekend just around the corner, it’s never too early to start making plans.
Whether you’re looking for a staycation, a Sunday roast worth getting excited about or tickets to see Lucky Ali live, here are seven things to add to your calendar this week.
Book tickets to see Lucky Ali live
Catch the Indian singer at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on August 16, with the concert starting at 8:30pm. Tickets are available from AED 75.
If your childhood had a soundtrack, chances are Lucky Ali was behind at least part of it. The singer-songwriter behind O Sanam, Ek Pal Ka Jeena and Na Tum Jaano Na Hum is returning to Dubai, bringing with him the songs that shaped a generation of desi listeners.
Expect soulful vocals, poetic lyrics and a setlist packed with nostalgic favourites. Whether you grew up playing these tracks on repeat or discovered them through your parents’ playlists, this is a chance to hear them live and relive the memories that come with them. Goosebumps are practically guaranteed.
Step into House of Hype
If you’re looking for something a little more immersive than your usual mall outing, House of Hype at Dubai Mall is worth a visit. The attraction brings together interactive experiences, games, photo opportunities and 25 themed worlds, making it an easy pick for a few hours of midweek fun.
This summer, the venue is also hosting Electric Carnival, a limited-time takeover running until August 30, with colourful installations and transformed interactive spaces. Tickets start from Dh149.
When: Daily, 10am-10pm
Where: House of Hype, Dubai Mall
Tickets: From Dh149
As the rule goes, no one ever just “pops” into Dubai Mall for one thing. House of Hype is guaranteed to derail those plans. With 25 interactive worlds packed with sensory surprises, hidden rooms, unexpected photo ops and plenty of hands-on fun, it’s the kind of experience that can easily make you forget you’re still inside a shopping mall.
There’s no set route, itinerary or “you are here” map telling you where to go. Instead, House of Hype is all about following your curiosity and seeing where it takes you. You might stumble across a hidden room or an unexpected experience you’d never think to look for — and come back a second time only to discover an entirely different corner you missed.
If you like your mall trips with a side of main-character energy, this one is hard to skip.
When: Daily, 10am–10pm (last entry at 9pm)
Where: The Dubai Mall
Tickets: Dh149
Watch La Perle by Dragone at Al Habtoor City
Some shows you watch. La Perle makes you question the laws of physics. Staged nightly at Al Habtoor City, this spectacular production blends circus, theatre, acrobatics, aerial stunts and dance, featuring world-class performers.
Set against the backdrop of Dubai’s culture and history, the show follows the journey of a young girl through a visually stunning performance designed to keep you looking up — and wondering how the performers are doing any of it.
With a 4.7 rating from more than 24,000 reviews, it’s safe to say La Perle lives up to the hype. Expect gravity-defying stunts, jaw-dropping visuals and the kind of production value that makes you forget you’re sitting in a theatre — and feel like you’ve wandered into a spectacular fever dream.
When: Nightly performances (check the schedule for showtimes)
Where: Al Habtoor City, Dubai
Tickets: From Dh136
Book a family escape at Centara Mirage with summer deals
Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai is offering a range of summer deals aimed at families looking for more than just a room and a swimming pool. Guests can make the most of waterpark access, a private beach and a kids’ club, making it a solid option for a family getaway.
Book by August 31 for stays through September 30, and UAE residents can enjoy 25% off dining, drinks and spa treatments, along with daily breakfast. The package also includes a choice of early check-in or late check-out and unlimited access to the waterpark and kids’ club.
Guests booking any Mirage room or suite also get access to the family lounge.
For families planning a longer getaway, the Stay 3, Pay 2 offer is also available during the same booking and stay periods. Guests can stay three nights for the price of two, six nights for the price of four, or nine nights for the price of six. The package includes breakfast, waterpark access, beachfront activities and entry to the Camp Safari kids’ club.
Not planning an overnight stay? The Family Daycation offers a simpler option, with access to the waterpark, pools, private beach and gaming zone, plus food and beverage credit included in the ticket price. The day pass is available daily until August 31.
When: Stay offers can be booked until August 31 for stays through September 30; Daycation available daily until August 31
Where: Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai
Price: Package rates vary; Daycation starts at Dh110 for children and Dh220 for adults, including food and beverage or spa credit.
Tuck into a Sunday roast at Horse & Hound
If you take your Sunday roast seriously, Horse & Hound has a classic option worth adding to your weekend plans. Every Sunday from noon to 6pm, the restaurant serves up a traditional beef or lamb roast, complete with all the usual trimmings.
Priced at Dh145 per person, the roast also comes with a beverage, making it an easy choice for a leisurely Sunday meal.
When: Every Sunday, 12pm–6pm
Where: Horse & Hound Summer Tent
Price: Dh145 per person, including a beef or lamb roast with trimmings and a drink
Try BonBird’s ‘spice bag’ wrap
If you’ve never had a spice bag, prepare yourself. The Irish late-night takeaway favourite has made its way to the UAE, with BonBird serving up its own take on the famously chaotic — and very moreish — dish.
Expect crispy fries, freshly fried chicken, peppers and onions tossed in a signature spice mix, with curry gravy on the side for dipping.
The limited-edition menu comes in four versions, depending on your appetite: Spice Bag Fries, Mega Spice Bag, Spice Bag Melt and the Spice Bag Wrap for an easy handheld option. Every version comes with gravy on the side, because the dunk is part of the experience.
The menu is available now at BonBird locations across the UAE for dine-in and delivery, but only until the end of August.
When: Available now until August 31
Where: All BonBird UAE locations (dine-in and delivery)
Price: From Dh30 for Spice Bag Fries to Dh55 for Mega Spice Bag Fries; Melt and Wrap priced at Dh35 each
Book a summer staycation with JA Resorts
JA Hatta Fort Hotel
Looking for a change of scenery without leaving the UAE? JA Resorts has a line-up of summer staycation offers, including a mountain escape at JA Hatta Fort Hotel.
The 24-Hour Stay Offer at JA Hatta Fort Hotel gives guests a full 24 hours from check-in when arriving between Sunday and Thursday. The offer also includes pool access until 8pm and an opportunity to try Jeema’s newly launched Indian menu. It is available until September 30.
GHA DISCOVERY members can also take advantage of the Summer Getaway offer, which includes savings of up to 35%, complimentary stays and dining for children under 12, 25% off dining, complimentary archery and air-gun experiences, plus a Dh100 spa credit. The offer is also valid until September 30.
JA The Resort
At JA Beach Hotel, JA Lake View Hotel and JA Palm Tree Court, summer packages follow a similar formula, with daily breakfast, a complimentary upgrade to half board, access to pools, a private beach and resort activities, plus early check-in or late check-out subject to availability.
All three offers are available until September 30.
Calm Spa at JA Palm Tree Court
If your idea of a perfect day involves doing absolutely nothing productive, Calm Spa at JA Palm Tree Court has several packages worth considering.
Indulge Without Limits offers unlimited 30-, 60- and 90-minute massages, starting from Dh800.
The Full Day Reset package combines a 75-minute stress-relief massage with lunch and access to the pool and beach, from Dh650.
With One for You, One to Share, guests receive a complimentary 60-minute massage when booking a 90-minute deep-tissue massage.
There’s also a Buy 2, Get 1 Free offer on selected 30-minute massages, reflexology treatments and Elemis express facials.
Offside at JA Ocean View Hotel
Offside at JA Ocean View Hotel has a rotating line-up of weekly deals, including 25% off the bill from Monday to Thursday, between 3pm and 10pm.
For something more active, the Padel & Pour deal combines a 60-minute padel session with a bar bite for Dh169 per person.
Thursdays bring Noyz Quizzness, a free quiz night featuring Speed Quizzing, Music Bingo and general trivia, with more than Dh3,000 in prizes up for grabs. On Sundays, Get Roasted serves a traditional roast for Dh149 per person.
When: Most offers run until September 30; Offside’s weekly deals repeat on their usual schedule
Where: JA Hatta Fort Hotel, JA The Resort (Beach Hotel, Lake View Hotel and Palm Tree Court), and Offside at JA Ocean View Hotel
Price: Varies by offer, from Dh149 for the Sunday roast to Dh800+ for spa packages
