When in a city as bustling as Dubai, the weekend calls for a much-needed reset – and a pause from the constant demands of the work week. It’s not just a chance to switch off, but to reconnect with your favourite community of girlfriends and to get back in touch with your wellness rituals.

Whether you’re in need of a cosy brunch or a touch-up to your beauty routine, this edition of GRAZIA’s Dubai weekend guide has you covered.

A poolside brunch at Nikki Beach

With summer coming to an end, carving out time for a much-needed pool day before the end of the season is essential, and the best pool days come alongside a cosy brunch. This weekend, one of Dubai’s most beloved spots, Nikki Beach, is offering its signature Poolside Brunch, taking place from 12pm to 5pm on Saturdays. Enjoy an unhurried meal with your equally chic girlfriends as its resident DJ sets the tone with a lively soundtrack. Move effortlessly between the clubs pool, beach and day beds, alongside the spots iconic Culinary Cravings boat. The package is priced at Dhs 450, including free-flowing house beverages – marking a lively way to spend the afternoon on your day off.

Enjoy some MUCH-NEEDED retail therapy with a beauty treat

Often, drawn-out work weeks and booked Outlook calendars make it difficult to mark time for an essential beauty touch-up. Luckily, Color Wow has arrived in the UAE with Sephora, bringing its world-renowned humidity-proof hair solutions to the region. The brand has opened a pop-up store at Sephora, which includes the chance to check out some of their bestsellers, complimentary services and exclusive gifts. Guests can receive complimentary hair styling. Guests can also receive one product for free if purchasing two products or a mini product with a brush when buying three products. From viral beauty sensation to a new regional presence, Color Wow brings a new era of premium, science-backed haircare. Color Wow brings its iconic, results-driven formulas to the region, helping you beat the infamous Dubai heat with glossy, frizz free and voluminous hair. For those of you looking to hit the malls for some much-needed retail therapy, this launch makes it impossible not to head to Sephora this weekend.

Experience the height of Italian cuisine

Italy’s warm hospitality has made its way into the streets of Dubai with Scalini. The city’s iconic dining destination welcomes guests to a renewed setting that blends Mediterranean-inspired interiors with a taste of Italy.  The restaurant brings a renewed interpretation of the traditional Italian trattoria – embracing the familiar warm spirit of the iconic spot. Intertwined with the codes of contemporary Mediterranean design and the intricacy of the craftsmanship of Italian cooking. Enjoy the tableside theatre of classic Italian cuisine, with the spot’s savoury beef tartare, fried Italian zucchini, flavourful pasta and more. If you’re looking for a spot this weekend that brings a refined allure blended with exquisite cuisine, this spot has to be on your list.

Hit reset this weekend with Blended x Drift Dubai

Blended has partnered with DRIFT for the month of September for a curated series of movement, mindfulness and unhurried Saturday mornings by the sea. This weekend, the collab focuses on Vinyasa flow and breathwork – so you can rejuvenate your nervous system. Providing an invitation to switch off and move with intention with a 45-minute guided session starting from 9am, so guests can slip into the weekend mood with reserved sunbeds, full beach and pool access and Dhs200 in credit for food and drinks at DRIFT.

A cocktail candle-making class at Blumi Cafe

This Sunday, reconnect with your creative side and enjoy a unique artistic experience at Blumi Cafe. The cafe is hosting a Cocktail Candle-making workshop – an invitation for an afternoon of community, creativity and fun. The workshop allows you to choose your desired scent and colour palette according to your favourite cocktails – whether it’s a classic martini or an aesthetic mojito. Join the cafe at 3pm for Dhs140 and spend your Sunday afternoon unwinding with a creative routine before the comeback of the work week.

Watch The Grand Budapest Hotel At Cinema Akil

Wes Anderson’s cult-classic movie will be screening at Cinema Akil in the heart of Dubai’s cultural hub – Alserkal Avenue. Often, there’s no better way to unwind then watching a good film, and now Dubai’s iconic arthouse cinema is bringing one of the most revered films onto the silver screen for the weekend. Enjoy the charm of the cinema’s vintage, artistic interiors alongside delicious food and drinks from its renowned cafe. Spend the weekend with a bucket of popcorn and an afternoon watching the iconic film. The movie will be screened at 4:45pm on Saturday and 2:15pm on Sunday.

Enjoy refined Japanese cuisine

The art of contemporary Japanese cuisine comes to life at Ronin Dubai. Savour every detail – from exquisite cuisine to refined interiors. The Michelin-star restaurant provides an elegant dining experience paired with mouthwatering dishes from some of Japan’s signature flavours. With handcrafted cocktails and a uniquely curated menu of the chef’s specials, this spot has everything you need for an opulent culinary experience in Dubai. Enjoy the restaurant’s iconic sushi, salmon, drinks menu and more under the ambient glow of luminous lanterns. Savour every moment – from the restaurant’s elegant interiors to its delicious menu.

A contemporary exhibition at Ayyam Gallery

September in Dubai calls for a new season for the city’s art and cultural scene. Now, Ayyam Gallery’s latest exhibition, Tangerine Dreams – made in collaboration with several of the gallery’s artists. The exhibit centres on the striking and vivid nature of the colour orange – and its ability to capture depth and an essence of vibrancy across practices. Reflected by its presence on different landscapes – where each artist projects their own life experiences using the dominating hue. For those of you who are art enthusiasts, reconnect with your creative side this weekend and enter a world of symbolism, sensation and vibrancy.