Hey listeners, welcome to your ultimate guide for what to do in Dubai this week. It's the first Friday of 2026, and the city's buzzing with post-New Year's energy after the Roads and Transport Authority ferried over 2.8 million passengers on New Year's Eve, a 13% jump from last year, with metro lines packed at 1.2 million riders alone. Connector Dubai reports the first weekend of the year, from today through Sunday, January 4, is loaded with good vibes, so let's dive into the highlights.

Kick off today with stable, cool winter weather according to the National Centre of Meteorology, perfect for outdoor adventures. Head to the desert for a thrilling 4WD dune bashing tour in the red dunes of Lahbab, complete with camel rides, sandboarding, quad biking, and a starry BBQ dinner at a Bedouin-style Al Khayma camp. Tripadvisor reviewers are raving about guides like Salman Khan and Mobeen who make it unforgettable, with pickups from your hotel and prices starting around $20 per person for half-day thrills.

Tonight, catch live music in soulful lounges across Dubai, as Connector highlights spots pulsing with high-energy performances. Or sail on a luxury yacht from Dubai Harbour, cruising past Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab for those Insta-worthy sunset views, highly recommended by 96% of Tripadvisor users.

Saturday and Sunday amp up with the Dubai Shopping Festival super offer weekend at Dubai Jewellery Group outlets, where Visit Dubai promises massive deals from January 2 to 4. Stroll The Dubai Mall for ongoing attractions, shows, and concerts via Platinumlist, or book a Burj Khalifa deck tour for panoramic cityscapes.

Looking ahead, gear up for the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature kicking off this month at InterContinental Festival City, featuring global authors, awards, and cultural events, as detailed by Connector. Horse racing fans, mark Sunday, January 3, for Race 4 at Al Ain Racecourse, a listed Purebred Arabian dirt race over 1800m with a AED 150,000 purse, starring horses like SS Izz Dubai, per Emirates Racing Authority.

Don't miss dining steals this week, with Connector's roundup of unmissable offers at top spots. Weather shifts to strong winds and dust over the weekend, so plan indoor fun like Global Village pavilions if needed.

Listeners, make this week epic in Dubai. Thanks for tuning in, and remember to subscribe for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI