What's new and happening in Dubai
A guide to the city’s best new events and attractions, giving visitors an insider view on how to stay cool this summer
Dubai is famous for its glorious year-round sunshine. But for anyone who needs an occasional break from the rays, the city is constantly adding new ways to have fun while beating the heat.
Stay on the slopes
At Ski Dubai, the region’s biggest indoor ski park, visitors can now cool off for longer by staying overnight too. Equipped with waterproof gloves, jackets and beanie hats, guests of Ski Dubai Camp Outs will have access to all the park’s facilities before bedding down in their own two-man tent, set up with sleeping bags and a thermal mattress. Then after a good night’s sleep in the chilled-out surroundings, they can warm up with a delicious breakfast in the onsite St Moritz Café.
Price and opening hours from July 29: From AED260 (includes clothing and footwear hire) for a fun pass, AED185 for a discovery skiing lesson, 10am-1pm (Sun-Wed), 10am-2am (Thurs), 9am-12am (Fri) and 9am-11pm (Sat).
Time to play
The new Mattel Play! Town is great for children under six – and they won’t need a drop of sunblock to enjoy it. Home to Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Thomas the Tank Engine and Angelina Ballerina, this giant indoor edutainment area is the perfect place for kids to let off steam while mum and dad enjoy a drink and a sit down. There are arts and crafts lessons, singing sessions and a host of other fun activities – all alongside the kids’ favourite characters. There’s also a café serving healthy food, a 4D cinema and a souvenir shop.
Price and opening hours: AED95 for children, AED55 for accompanying adults, open 10am-10pm daily.
LEGOLAND® comes to town
There will soon be plenty of family fun to be had at the new LEGOLAND® Dubai, which opens in October this year. With more than 40 LEGO® themed rides, shows, building experiences and attractions, it’s sure to be the perfect day out – whether you’re aged two or 62! And when the kids need to splash down and cool off, there’s even a waterpark purpose-designed for children aged two to 12.
Price: Annual and VIP passes are available, priced from AED765 with the VIP option including access to dedicated lounges, discounts on food and drink, and – most importantly – the ability to skip queues on some rides.
Cool down, bounce up
If you fancy some fun out of the sun, how about a spot of bouncing? This month saw the opening of Flip Out, Dubai’s third trampoline park and home to 200 interconnecting trampolines, making it the biggest in the region. It joins Bounce and Jump Boxx where bounce fans of all ages can defy gravity and work off some energy.
Prices: Flip Out: AED70 per hour, AED60 for kids); Bounce: AED80 (AED70 for kids); Jump Boxx: AED69 per hour
Paris comes to Dubai
For many of us, chilling out starts with where we’re staying. So, the good news is that Paris Hilton has announced plans to open a hotel in Dubai. The building will be part of a new luxury chain with sister hotels in New York and Las Vegas. And even though the exact opening date is still to be confirmed, it’s sure to add some extra glamour and star quality to the city’s existing array of world class hotels and resorts.
Enjoy a spot of opera
Culture vultures will soon be able to head to Dubai Opera, the city’s first purpose-built, multi-format performing arts theatre. Built in an eye-catching dhow design, it will offer a fantastic programme of entertainment when it opens on 31 August – from iconic shows like Les Miserables and West Side Story to ballet, opera and traditional Arabic music. In the meantime, check out this incredible time lapse film of the building’s creation in the heart of Downtown Dubai.
Watch a clash of the titans
If spectator sport is more your thing why not check out the upcoming Dubai Rugby Sevens? Tickets went on sale for this year’s event earlier this month, giving sports fans the chance to see a host of the world’s leading male and female teams compete to take top prize. Throughout the three-day rugby festival, there will also be bands and artists performing on the main stage to keep everyone in the party mood long after the final whistle blows.
Sail the high seas
Take in the cool ocean breeze when you hop aboard the new Al Wasl Dhow at Dubai Marina. The purpose-built boat, based on the design of a traditional dhow, offers high-end evening dinner cruises. It has the capacity for more than 200 people and is ideal for wedding parties, family gatherings and business events. Al Wasl Dhow operates daily and promises cruisers a sumptuous feast at sea.