The weekend may still be on the horizon, but Dubai's golden hour offers its own reason to step out. Terraces come alive, skyline views turn amber and the evening calls for one last drink before the day slips away. From Arabian-inspired cabanas at Buhayra Lounge to Italian aperitivo at Cetara, sunset dining at Solara and waterfront sundowners at Luma Pool Lounge, four destinations offer distinctive ways to savour the hour between day and night. Golden Hour Escapes at Buhayra Lounge Step into a serene outdoor setting where elegant cabanas and traditional Arabian tents create the perfect backdrop for laidback evenings in Downtown

The city's population reached 4,807,185 on 29 September, up 226,885 since 1 January. Over the same period, 39,670 new homes were completed. That growth has held up through a period of regional uncertainty. It also continued after preliminary national accounts, published on 9 October, showed a softer second quarter for the UAE economy. Demand rooted in people, not sentiment The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre attributed the softer Q2 reading to regional developments and travel disruption affecting tourism, transport and trade. The wider picture is steadier: the UAE economy grew 0.4% across the first half of 2026, the non-oil economy grew 1.8%, and

Friday plans? Consider them sorted. Level 43 Sky Lounge is giving the ladies three hours of unlimited drinks with its weekly Ladies' Day, served alongside sweeping views of Dubai's skyline. For AED 99 per lady, guests can enjoy unlimited house spirits, house wine and selected cocktails from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. With sweeping skyline views and three hours of free-flowing drinks, it's the perfect excuse to round up the girls and get the weekend celebrations started early. Details: Offer: Three hours of unlimited house spirits, house wine and selected cocktails When: Every Friday, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Price: AED 99 per lady Location: Level

Get ready to kick-start the weekend with a sizzling BBQ Fridays experience at Timo, Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel, launching on 23 October 2026. Bringing together delicious flavours and a lively yet relaxed atmosphere, this weekly dining experience is perfect for gathering with friends and family over a hearty barbecue feast. Guests can indulge in a generous spread of barbecue favourites, featuring a delicious butcher's board, flavourful handheld bites and more, all for AED 179 per person. For those looking to elevate their dining experience, an alcoholic beverage package is available for an additional AED 125 per person. Whether it's a casual

talabat and Roofline by DIFC are coming together for a new three-month foodie pop-up, bringing a different restaurant to the space each month from October to December. Kicking off the series on 15th October, Knot Bakehouse will take over the talabat pop-up, bringing its contemporary café and bakery offering to Roofline by DIFC alongside a selection of limited-edition creations made exclusively for the month. Founded in Dubai and Emirati-owned, Knot Bakehouse brings together artisanal baking and modern café culture, with a focus on quality, craftsmanship and community. For its month-long takeover, visitors can enjoy Knot’s selection of hot and iced coffees, matcha drinks

Moving your body, taking time for mindfulness, and enjoying a coffee or matcha can make any weekend better. This October, Veo Fitness and Galeries Lafayette are coming together to host a community wellness morning at Veo Manzil on 24th October and an in-store Yoga & Sound Healing session at Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall, on 31st October. The collaboration takes wellness to two distinct settings, giving guests the opportunity to explore movement and mindfulness as part of their weekend plans, including a dedicated experience within one of Dubai Mall's best-known fashion and lifestyle destinations.  At the heart of Veo's approach is the

Rory McIlroy will return to Emirates Golf Club in January in search of a record-extending fifth Dallah Trophy, after confirming his place at the 2027 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which takes place from 21–24 January. The World Number Two and career Grand Slam winner is now a six-time Major champion, having successfully defended his Masters title at Augusta National in April. He became only the fourth player to win back-to-back green jackets, after Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, and drew level with Faldo's tally of six Majors. It capped a remarkable 12 months for the Northern Irishman. In that

Jun’s will welcome Chef Mostafa Seif of Khufu’s, the Egyptian restaurant ranked No. 1 on MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026, for a one-night collaboration with Chef Kelvin Cheung on Sunday, 25th October. Taking place at Jun’s in Downtown Dubai from 5 p.m. onwards, the tasting menu is priced at AED 550 per person and brings together two restaurants whose cooking tells personal stories of culture, memory and place. Following its recent collaboration with Chef Ali Ghzawi of Amman’s Alee, Jun’s continues to create a platform for talent from across the region. This latest gathering connects Dubai and Egypt at the same table,

From leisurely waterfront brunches and Italian family-style feasts to seafood evenings, Thai specialities and a sky-high brunch above the city, discover six ways to make the weekend a little more memorable In a city that knows how to make an occasion of a meal, the setting is often just as memorable as what's on the table. This October, Emaar Hospitality Group brings together six culinary experiences that span vibrant Thai flavours, Italian family-style feasts, abundant seafood and leisurely brunches above the city and by the water. Each offers a different way to experience Dubai through its food, its views and the

The Plaza Season is bringing a new calendar of experiences to Dubai, giving the city more reasons to meet, move, discover and connect at Uptown Dubai.The Plaza Season will bring together a curated programme of free-to-attend events across 21,000 square metres of open-air space. The Plaza sits at the heart of Uptown Dubai as a major events and entertainment destination, hosting everything from large-scale live performances and festivals to cultural showcases and community gatherings.  As Dubai enters the cooler months, The Plaza's programme will bring together a series of free-to-attend events, from movement, wellbeing and independent cinema. The varied line-up reflects The