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May in the UAE is that elusive in-between where the days grow a bit longer, the sea is still irresistible, and the city hasn’t yet slipped into its summer slow down.
It’s the perfect moment for making spontaneous plans that turn into late nights, for discovering new spots before everyone else does, and for making the most out of a social calendar that feels effortlessly full. From sun-soaked beach escapes to after-dark hotspots, this is your GRAZIA guide on how to spend your May.
A Palestinian Art Exhibition
From May 13, Palestinian architects Elias and Yousef Anastas of AAU Anastas present three sculptural limestone fragments from unrealised projects at ICD Brookfield Place in DIFC, given life through a multilingual monologue by author Karim Kattan and a sonic composition by sound artist Aho Ssan. The result sits somewhere between installation and elegy.
Art dUBAI
After a slight delay in its program, Art Dubai returns this May. The 20th-anniversary special edition runs 15–17 May 2026, bringing together a global mix of galleries, artists and collectors. It’s where contemporary, modern, and digital art collide in a way that feels both elevated and surprisingly accessible. Beyond the exhibitions, expect talks, installations, and the kind of creative energy that lingers long after you leave, making it less of a visit and more of a full experience.
A pacha closing party
Closing the season with actual impact, Pacha ICONS Closing Party lands on May 9 at Playa Pacha, tucked inside FIVE LUXE JBR—and it’s easily one of those nights you plan your week around. Headlined by Carl Cox, the energy leans fully into that end-of-season feeling: a little more electric, a little more unapologetic, and just the right excuse to stay out far later than you intended. With doors opening at 7pm and the party stretching into the early hours, it’s the kind of plan that starts at sunset and quietly turns into something much bigger.
Part of the globally recognised Pacha universe, the ICONS series has carved out a space in Dubai for nights that feel more about the music than the scene—without losing any of the atmosphere. Set against the open-air backdrop of JBR, with the skyline on one side and the sea on the other, this final edition brings everything together: high-level sound, immersive production, and a crowd that actually came to dance. If May is about making the most of the city before summer slows it down, this is exactly where you do it.
A new Dubai salon
For a mid-May reset that actually feels worth your time, ALKEMY is opening its newest space at One Za’abeel with a complimentary signature hair treatment and blow-dry on May 14 and 15. It’s the perfect excuse to pause, refresh, and step into the rest of the month feeling a little more put together.
Known for its elevated, conscious approach to beauty, ALKEMY delivers an experience that’s as considered as it is indulgent, making this one of those small but impactful plans this month you’ll actually appreciate.
Abu Dhabi’s newest go-to beauty spot
A staycation you can’t pass on
If you’re feeling like you need a proper switch-off this May, Al Zorah Beach Resort is one of those places that does it without trying too hard. It’s just far enough from Dubai to feel like a reset, but still easy enough to plan last-minute, especially over the Eid break. Think quiet beaches, open space, and a pace that’s noticeably slower the second you arrive.
What makes it work is how flexible it is. You can go for a full stay, keep it simple with a beach day, or just show up for a long, slow afternoon and let it turn into dinner. It’s calm, understated, and exactly the kind of escape that makes sense this time of year, before summer fully kicks in.
A new waterfront coffee spot
Café du Port is the kind of spot that quietly fits into any part of your day. From early coffee runs to light breakfasts that turn into long catch-ups, it has that easy, relaxed charm that makes you want to linger a little longer. And if you’re staying in, the fact that it’s also available on Deliveroo just makes it even more effortless.
A New Beauty Stop
A new beauty stop has landed in the city with the opening of a freestanding Clinique store at Deira City Centre, marking a fresh expansion in the UAE in partnership with Apparel Group. It’s less of a standard retail space and more of an experience-led destination, designed around dermatologist-guided consultations and tailored skincare advice that feels a little more personal than your usual beauty counter.
What makes it worth a visit this May is the focus on slowing things down and actually understanding what your skin needs, rather than just browsing. From clinically proven skincare to makeup built around real, everyday use, it’s a reminder that sometimes the most useful beauty moments are the ones that feel the most considered.
The Serpenti gets a Dubai beach makeover
Forget the bracelet – the Bvlgari Serpenti has got a whole new address. Bvlgari Resort Dubai has just opened the Serpenti Beach Club at La Spiaggia on Jumeira Bay – and it might be the most on-brand move the Italian Maison has made yet. As of the beginning of May, the resort’s entire beachfront has been reimagined through the lens of the house’s most mythologised motif: the serpent. In-house guests get first priority, but the doors are open to outside visitors throughout the day, subject to availability. Weekday access is priced at Dhs500 per person, fully redeemable against food and drink. On weekends, it’s Dhs650, non-redeemable, but arguably worth it for the setting alone.
