This weekend in Dubai is packed with energy, entertainment, and experiences for every kind of mood. From laugh-out-loud comedy and live music to family-friendly festivals, ballet, and high-octane car culture, the city offers plenty of ways to make the most of your days and nights.
Whether you’re planning a relaxed evening, a fun-filled family outing, or a high-energy night out with friends, this weekend’s lineup delivers variety, atmosphere, and memorable moments across the city. All that’s left to do is pick your vibe and step out.
Here's Connector's round-up of some of the best ways to make the most of your weekend.
The Laughter Factory
Where: The Agenda And Dubai Media City
When: 9 And 10 January
The Laughter Factory brings a comedic tour across the UAE, featuring top stand-up comedians and fun personalities who deliver a non-stop lineup of jokes, sketches, and crowd-pleasing humour. The show on 9 January will happen at Mezz, The Agenda, Dubai Media City, while the one on 10 January will happen at Studio One Hotel, Dubai.
Whether you enjoy observational comedy or energetic stage presence, this festival-style offering promises fun nights out and memorable punchlines in a relaxed, social setting. Tickets start at Dhs 160.
The Laughter Factory
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Dubai Burger Championship
Where: Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
When: 9 To 11 January
This January, Dubai brings together top local and international burger creators in a competitive arena, where culinary craft, fire, and creativity meet. Expect live grill action, global talent, and a championship atmosphere unlike anything before. Besides, you can also tuck into exclusive burgers you won’t find anywhere else, and enjoy music, DJs, and festival vibes from afternoon till night. The family-friendly event also has a dedicated zone for children. Tickets start from Dhs 60. Entry is free for children under 8 years of age.
Dubai Burger Championship
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Varun Grover Live
Where: Dubai College Auditorium
When: 10 January
Experience Varun Grover’s wit in ‘Love, Death and Ketchup’ live. Varun Grover, who has been in the comedy circuit for a while, is known to entertain people through wit and satire. His talent isn't confined to stand-up comedy, but he is a renowned lyricist and scriptwriter as well, having lent his talent to famous Bollywood movies. He is back to tickle your funny bones with his new solo ‘Love, Death and Ketchup’. Tickets from Dhs 145.
Sublime Entertainment
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Middle East Car And Bike Week
Where: Dubai Studio City
When: 10 And 11 January
Middle East Car and Bike Week is a celebration of motoring brilliance and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Experience the ultimate showcase of supercars, custom bikes, drifting arenas, music, food, and lifestyle. Expect gimmicks from global stunt and drifting arenas to award-winning custom builds, supercars, superbikes, luxury showrooms and dedicated stunt zones. Visitors can catch drifting displays, live motorcycle stunts, and even witness a Guinness World Record attempt in RC Racing. There’s also a lifestyle zone packed with entertainment, live music, children’s activities and exclusive ride-and-drive experiences. Tickets start at Dhs 75.
Middle East Car And Bike Week
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Legendary Joe Labero Magic Show
Where: Paramount Hotel Dubai
When: 10 January
With more than 30 years on the world’s most renowned stages, from Las Vegas to Sydney, Labero brings his refined style and masterful illusions to the sophisticated setting of Flashback. Joe Labero presents his signature illusions in a close-up setting for a limited run of five shows only. This is a carefully curated evening for those who appreciate exceptional entertainment in a relaxed setting. Tickets start at Dhs 99.
Paramount Hotels Dubai
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Nutcracker By Russian State Ballet Mari El
Where: Zabeel Theatre, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
When: 11 January
Experience the timeless elegance of The Nutcracker performed by the Russian State Ballet Mari El at Zabeel Theatre. This classical ballet tells the magical story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, blending graceful choreography with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. Whether you’re a ballet enthusiast or new to the art form, this performance offers a memorable evening of artistry, music, and cultural tradition in one of Dubai’s premier performing-arts venues.
Art For All
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Anirudh Live
Where: Coca-Cola Arena
When: 11 January
After performing across the world, Anirudh Ravichander now arrives in Dubai - the moment the city has been waiting for. The man who changed the sound of this generation is landing right here, ready to set the stage on fire. Get ready for Anirudh live in Dubai on 11 January at Coca-Cola Arena. From Tamil to Telugu, Malayalam to Hindi, fans across Dubai have streamed him, sung his songs, and lived his vibe every single day. Now it’s time to feel that energy live, all together in one place.
Coca-Cola Arena
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Tamerlano
Where: Dubai Opera
When: 10 And 11 January
Tamerlano comes to Dubai Opera on 10 and 11 January 2026, a bold reinterpretation of Handel’s baroque masterpiece blending European orchestration with Uzbek traditional sounds. Presented by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, this large-scale opera features over 160 performers, including the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan and State Choir, under acclaimed direction. Inspired by the historical figure Amir Temur, the production explores themes of love, power, and destiny with rich staging and cross-cultural artistry. Tickets start at Dhs 300.
Dubai Opera
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Kids Fest
Where: Global Village
When: Daily
The Wonderers’ Kids Fest is returning to Global Village from Friday, 9 January, with a programme packed with fun games, live shows, and non-stop fun. Located next to the Kids’ Theatre, the fest is designed for children aged between 3 and 12, without any additional charges on top of your Dhs 25 entry ticket. On the opening day of the festival, there will be a special drone show at 7.20pm to mark the start of the fun. There will be free face painting, balloon modellers, inflatable clown parades, and lively bubble blizzards, sure to bring a smile to the faces of visitors.
Global Village
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Once Upon A Time In Dubai
Where: The Agenda, Media City, Dubai
When: Daily
Once Upon a Time in Dubai is the first large-scale original musical created and produced in the Middle East in partnership with Universal Music Group. The story celebrates Dubai’s spirit, ambition, and diversity, making it a perfect experience for visitors and residents who want to explore the city’s artistic and creative energy. Once Upon a Time in Dubai offers a fresh cultural experience, a fun evening out, and a chance to discover one of the city’s largest-ever musical productions. Tickets start at Dhs 50.
Once Upon A Time In Dubai