Pack your bags and head to Dubai during the KSA Founding Day holiday weekend. Whether you’re travelling with your family or friends, Dubai has something to keep you busy and entertained.
From outdoor adventure to shopping, to arts & cultural events and sports spectacles, to luxurious hotel stays, holidaymakers from Saudi Arabia are spoilt for choice for an enjoyable Dubai getaway.
Make the most of the great outdoor weather by checking these attractions:
Hatta
The mountain town of Hatta is the perfect destination for adventure seekers, with its wide range of thrilling activities. Try kayaking at Hatta Dam, or go for hike and take a selfie on top of the mountain with the famous Hatta sign. Get into action at Hatta Wadi Hub and make sure to visit the new Aerial Adventure Park.
Topgolf Dubai
Brush up on your golf skills at Topgolf Dubai. Book any one of the 96 climate-controlled hitting bays and have a lively game with your friends or family. It also offers games, live music, dining and more, and promises a fun for everyone whether you are a golf aficionado or not.
Global Village
Experience a ‘More Wonderful World’ at the Global Village. Now on its 28th season, this multi-cultural family destination for culture, entertainment, dining, and shopping continues to amaze visitors. With 27 pavilions, over 3,500 shopping outlets, and more than 250 dining options, this season provides an immersive journey through more than 90 cultures.
Palm West Beach
Have a relaxing time at the swanky Palm West Beach with all-day seaside dining, entertainment and the best Dubai skyline views along the 1.6km of promenade and beachfront, be prepared to have a fun time with your friends and family. Choose from an array of shoreside restaurants including Senor Pico, Surf Club, February 30, Jones The Grocer, and more!
Shop, dine, and have fun under the winter sun at these family-friendly outdoor markets
BAY by Social at Dubai Festival City
Family-friendly frolics are guaranteed at BAY by Social, set on the waterside at Dubai Festival City Mall. Feast on delicious dishes, sample flavourful brews at cosy coffee counters, win prizes from fairground games and top up on gifts from specialised vendors. Looking to be wowed? Catch the free IMAGINE sound and light spectacular or enjoy the art installations, comedy shows and live music taking over the space.
The Ripe Market
One of the first craft markets to set up in Dubai, The Ripe Market is hosted in idyllic outdoor locations across the city during the cooler months. You’ll find it at Police Academy Park each weekend. Expect plenty of local vendors selling everything from fresh produce and organic treats to handmade gifts and jewellery, all set to a soundtrack of live music and family fun.
Happening At The Harbour
Plan your day out at the new Dubai Harbour. The marina has been transformed into a buzzing destination for Happening At The Harbour – a community festival with food, fun and festivities for all ages. Browse unique wares by popular homegrown brands on display at over 70 stalls. Little ones will be spoiled for choice with an array of rides and a craft corner to keep them busy. Tuck into delectable plates from 15 F&B outlets like Drip Burger, Mamma Italia and Taco Taco or grab a drink from Coffee Matters or Iquencher.
Treat yourself to opulence and spend and luxurious holiday by checking in at the Dubai’s newly-opened hotels:
One & Only One Za’abeel
One of the most anticipated hotel openings in the region, One & Only One Zabeel has officially opened its doors. The first-ever urban resort, One&Only One Za’abeel is where Dubai’s visionary allure and traditional hospitality converge. A captivating duality, the vertical masterpiece offers spacious accommodation, epicurean journeys, arts and culture experiences, and wellness programmes to ultra-luxury travellers. Boasting the world’s longest cantilever – The Link – between its two sleek towers, One Za’abeel is definitely the latest an icon in the Dubai skyline.
The Lana, Dubai
Another of the city’s latest architectural marvels, The Lana stands airy and graceful over Marasi Bay Marina, with an unparalleled view of the Burj Khalifa. Highlights here include sky-high dining concepts, four of which have been created by chefs who have won multiple Michelin stars, and a rooftop pool and lounge from where to watch the busy urban precincts transform at sunset. The hotel has a selection of 225 elegant rooms and suites and will also be home to the first Dior Spa in the UAE, set to open in April 2024.
Atlantis The Royal
Dubai’s latest iconic landmark, Atlantis The Royal welcomes guests to an experience that will completely redefine their perspective of luxury. The hotel is home to 795 rooms, suites and signature penthouse, each offering incredible views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Gulf, while 44 of them have their own private infinity pools. A gastronomic destination by itself, Atlantis The Royal houses more celebrity chef restaurants than anywhere in the world.
SO/ Uptown
Adding to the vogue cities under its belt, avant-garde SO Hotels has taken up residence in Dubai. Its 188 rooms and suites, and 227 residences sparkle across 10 levels of the sleek, ‘diamond-cut’ supertower known as Uptown Dubai. The urban resort melds fashion, design and grandeur; wood-meets-marble interiors are liberally furnished with subtle gold, rich velvet and other bold-but-minimalistic motifs. All the usual five-star comforts can be expected at SO/ Uptown Dubai, from glamorous restaurants to a pampering spa, a pool and a fitness centre.
Catch all the action at these live sporting events happening in the city
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
Top tennis players from across the globe will be jetting into the city to mark the start of the tennis season at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships from 18 February to 2 March 2024. Happening at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, follow every spin, slice and smash during the intense matches, while off-the-court, you’ll find plenty of entertainment and fun activities for the entire family.
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
The 2024 edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will see 16 countries take to the sand for kick-off. Get ready for 11 match-filled days from 15-25 February, as one team gets crowned the overall winner during this international competition. Footballers from nations like Iran, Brazil, Italy, Portugal and Japan will go head-to-head during this nail-biting tournament.
Whether you’re a foodie, art and culture enthusiast, fitness aficionado, or simply looking for fun and engaging events, here is a roundup of the latest happenings in the city:
Taste of Dubai
Taste of Dubai is returning with another extravagant culinary celebration from 23-25 February. This three-day gathering provides the perfect opportunity to eat your way through Dubai’s gastronomic best as the festival gathers top-notch restaurants, tasting sessions, cooking workshops and live music in a laid-back outdoor setting at Skydive Dubai.
COREUNITY Festival
After a successful first edition at the start of 2023, the region’s first camping, movement and music festival – COREUNITY by Core Direction is all set to return in 2024. Taking place in Hatta from 23-25 February, participants can expect a curated and action-packed schedule combining wellness, adventure and fun.
Sikka Art & Design Festival
Dubai Culture’s flagship initiative, Sikka Art & Design Festival, is celebrating 12 years of remarkable creativity and inspiration from 23 February to 3 March. Artists from the UAE and all over the GCC will come together to decorate Al Shindagha Historic District with works that speak to the future and orchestrate a visionary experience.
The Phantom of the Opera
Following its incredible success in 2019, internationally acclaimed production The Phantom of the Opera will be making its way back to the stage at Dubai Opera from 22 February to 10 March 2024. Don’t miss the chance to watch this phenomenal theatre act that has wowed over 160 million people in 41 countries and 186 cities.
Arab Hope Makers
Popular singing stars Hussain Al Jassmi, Ahlam Alshamsy and Assala Nasri are all set to perform at the Coca-Cola Arena for the fourth edition of Arab Hope Makers – the region’s largest initiative to honour philanthropic efforts. Mark your diaries for this unmissable showcase on 25 February.
Looking for more options to fill your itinerary? Check out the visitdubai.com to know more about the latest events in the city during the KSA Founding Day holiday.