Note: this guide covered the weekend of 16–18 October 2026, so some events and offers listed here have ended. For what's on now, see our guide to things to do in Dubai this October 2026.
Looking for things to do this weekend? Dubai's autumn season is in full swing. Global Village reopened on October 14, beach clubs are back, and comedy, magic and Navratri nights fill the calendar. This guide covers things to do in Dubai this weekend, October 16 to 18, with times, venues and prices.
Global Village
The Global Village opened for its 31st season on 14th October and will be operating untill May 2027. The gates open at 4 pm. The closing time is midnight on Sundays through Wednesdays, and 1 am from Thursdays to Saturdays. The ticket price is AED 25 for weekdays and AED 30 on Fridays through Sundays.
Dates: Season 31 will be held from October 14, 2026 through May 2027
Venue: Global Village, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311)
Timing: Sunday – Wednesday from 4 pm to 12 midnight and Thursday - Saturday from 4 pm to 1am
Entry: AED 25 on all working days and AED 30 from Fri – Sun & public holidays
Break. Archive Pop-Up
Break. Archive is hosting an exhibition for vintage handbags by top designers in Dubai until Sunday, October 18. This London-based brand, launched in 2022, offers handbags made by brands like Chanel, Dior, Fendi, and Hermès. The event is being held at The Meld, a 1970s villa turned boutique in Jumeirah.
Dates: October 10 to 18, 2026
Venue: The Meld Concept, Jumeirah
Selling: Vintage designer handbags
Hours: Fri-Sat: 12-9 pm, Sun-Thur: 12-8 pm
Beauty Unbound Pop-Up
Beauty Unbound returns for its fifth edition at Palm Jumeirah Mall, and this year it plays out as a beauty airport. Branded stops showcase Dyson, Jo Malone London, KIKO Milano, Puff, and Tower 28. Entry is free.
Dates: October 14 to November 1, 2026
Venue: Palm Jumeirah Mall
Hours: 10 am to 10 pm Sun to Thur; 10 am to midnight Fri and Sat
Entry: Free
Dubai Comedy Festival: Rafi Bastos
Brazilian comedian Rafi Bastos plays the Dubai Comedy Festival on Saturday, October 17, with his show Unfamiliar Territory. He has more than 370 million YouTube views and three Netflix specials. The 90-minute English set runs at the New Covent Garden Theatre in the Mall of the Emirates.
Date: Saturday, October 17
Venue: New Covent Garden Theatre, Level 2, Mall of the Emirates
Time: Doors 6 pm, show 6:30 pm
Tickets: From AED 275
Home Centre Collective Season Two
Home Centre Collective turns Home Centre stores into small stages for homegrown talents. Each artist has a say in how their performance space is styled. It suits shoppers who want live music alongside a furniture browse.
Venue: Home Centre, Level 1, City Centre Mirdif, Dubai
Hours: 8 pm to 9 pm
Date: 2026 October 16, 18 & 20
Entry: Free
Bohemia Presents THEMBA
The South African DJ THEMBA will be performing at Bohemia Beach Club located at FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, on October 17th Saturday starting from 7pm. The Johannesburg-based producer is known for his production Disappear, where he incorporates house, techno and African sounds. The venue features an infinity pool and spectacular views of Dubai Marina skyline. Tickets cost between AED 100 and AED 900.
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Bohemia Beach Club, FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Tickets: AED 100 to AED 900
Beyond Limits by Sergey Vorontsov
Beyond Limits is an interactive illusion show that is conducted by Sergey Vorontsov, who is a recipient of the Merlin Award. There are eight performers who perform disappearances, teleportation, and rapid transformation acts. This show takes place in TODA at Souk Madinat Jumeirah. It runs every weekend at 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm for 75 minutes.
Dates: Weekends, September 5 to October 24, 2026
Shows: 4:30 pm and 7 pm
Venue: Theatre of Digital Art (TODA), Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Tickets: From AED 159
Navratri Utsav 2026
Garba Dandiya on Navratri Utsav 2026 is a two-day celebration, including garba, dandiya, live music, and stalls selling food at the Zabeel Park Amphitheatre from Friday, October 16 to Saturday, October 17. The event begins at 7:30 pm. Make sure you wear the most beautiful traditional dress. Tickets begin from AED 20 to AED 100 on PlatinumList, but they don’t include park entrance.
Dates: October 16 and 17
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Zabeel Park Amphitheatre
Tickets: From AED 20 to AED 100
Emirates Villages Run Series 2026
The Emirates Villages Run Series stops in Dubai on Saturday, October 17, in Al Lehbab. Starts at 4 pm. The series offers a 10km competitive run, a 5km community run, and a 1.5km family run. Finishing each race earns one piece of a seven-piece medal. This is round two of seven across the UAE, organised by the Emirates Council for Balanced Development.
Date: Saturday, October 17
Start: 4 pm
Venue: Al Lehbab, Dubai
Distances: 10km, 5km and 1.5km
Aquaman Open Water Dubai
Aquaman Open Water brings an organised sea swim to Kite Beach in Umm Suqeim on October 17- 18. The races are set to begin at 7 am. Online entry was set to close at 11:59 PM on October 16, so check the Aquaman site for remaining places.
Date: October 17 -18
Venue: Kite Beach, Umm Suqeim 1
Start: 7 am
Entry: Online; set to close 11:59 pm on October 16
Game. Set. Match: The Rerun
Game. Set. Match returns for a rerun after a sold-out first run. Seven friends meet for a wedding, then turn their phones into public property. The multicultural cast includes Arab, South Asian and European actors. It plays at The Junction in Alserkal Avenue, a 158-seat theatre, from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18. Tickets start at AED 105. Ages 13 and up. English language.
Dates: October 16 to 18
Venue: The Junction, Unit H72, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
Tickets: From AED 105
Editor’s Pick for This Weekend
My pick for things to do this weekend is Global Village. Of all the Dubai weekend activities on this list, it is the easiest for mixed ages. Entry is AED 30 from Friday to Sunday, and gates stay open until 1 am. If you want a ticketed night instead, book Rafi Bastos. His 6:30 pm start leaves room for dinner after the show.
