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As always in Dubai, there’s a lot going on this weekend, and no, staying in is not an option.
From the launch of a major month-long art festival at Alserkal Avenue to a celebrity-endorsed new restaurant in DIFC, a Rihanna-approved pasta destination and a reformer session that won’t break the bank – Dubai is, as ever, delivering.
Here’s how to spend the next 48 hours, the GRAZIA way.
Art month begins at Alserkal Avenue
If you’ve been waiting for the cultural calendar to really kick off, this is your sign. Alserkal Avenue launches its highly anticipated Alserkal Art Month this Saturday – a month-long programme running from April 18 to May 18 that expands what was previously known as Art Week into a full five-weekend cultural moment. Expect exhibitions, public art commissions, artist talks, performances, workshops and community-led programming, all building towards Art Dubai 2026. Artists, cultural practitioners and collectives from across the region will converge on the Avenue, making this one of the most compelling reasons to head to Al Quoz this spring.
Beachside the La Cantine way
Sun, sea, and something a little more considered than your average beach day – La Cantine Beach has a host of offers worth exploring this weekend. Whether you’re after a leisurely afternoon by the water or something a little more indulgent, La Cantine brings its signature French-Mediterranean sensibility to the shoreline.
Rihanna said go to Siena, so go to Siena
It’s not every day that a Grammy Award winner personally endorses a restaurant in your city. But here we are. Rihanna recently sent a handwritten note on a porcelain plate to Dubai, reading: “Sending love to Dubai. See you soon Siena.” The message marks the Dubai arrival of Siena, the acclaimed Paris restaurant that has been the singer’s go-to haunt since it opened in the French capital in 2023. Located in DIFC and brought to Dubai by founder Mehdi Abdelhedi and Paris Society’s Rizwan Kassim, Siena arrives with its trademark marble tables, frescoed walls, velvet booth energy and the kind of atmosphere you don’t particularly want to leave. The linguine all’astice, reportedly, is reason enough to make the reservation. Book your table this weekend – Rihanna wouldn’t steer you wrong.
A reformer session for just Dhs40
For those looking to start the weekend on a wellness note, SQUATWOLF, the homegrown UAE athleisure brand, is hosting a Pilates Day this Saturday, April 18, in collaboration with Pure Motion Pilates Studio. Running from 9:30am to 12:30pm, the event offers both reformer and mat Pilates sessions for just Dhs40 during those hours. It’s a community initiative as much as a workout and part of SQUATWOLF’s ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses and wellness culture in Dubai.
Make the most of the last of rooftop season
High Society at The Lana, Dorchester Collection, has just unveiled a new lineup of elevated experiences for the last of rooftop season, and this Saturday night might be the most compelling reason yet to head to Business Bay. Soirée d’Été – a Riviera-inspired evening series launching April 18 – transforms the 30th-floor rooftop into a softly lit poolside escape from 6pm to 10pm each Saturday, complete with a live DJ, a saxophonist and sweeping views of the Burj Khalifa. Tickets are Dhs450 per person, fully redeemable on food and beverages. For those who’d rather linger through the day, the Pool Pass (Dhs300, fully redeemable) offers exclusive access to the infinity pool.
A new cafe spot at Dubai Harbour
Café du Port, the newest addition to the Bar du Port family, is now open at Dubai Harbour, and it might just become your new weekend morning ritual. Open from 7am daily, the French-Mediterranean café takes its cues from the laid-back terraces of the Côte d’Azur: sunlit interiors, an open-air roof deck, a gentle harbour breeze and coffee by Boon. To mark the opening, through the end of April, every in-café order comes with a complimentary coffee.
One last stay at a Dubai icon
If there was ever a moment to book a night at Park Hyatt Dubai, this is it. The beloved waterfront retreat is preparing to close temporarily from May 2026 for a final phase of renovation. To mark the occasion, the hotel has launched its Perfecting Elegance campaign, complete with a Stay & Return offer: guests who book a minimum two-night stay between now and April 30 receive half-board dining, spa access and entry into a lucky draw, with the chance to win perks on a future visit, which includes a Globalist tier upgrade, a complimentary 60-minute spa treatment, a private dining experience, or a stay in the newly renewed Royal Suite.
