Here are some of the most exciting ways to enjoy the weekend before New Year.
It’s almost time to bid adieu to 2024 and usher in the New Year, but before we do, there’s one more weekend of fun to be enjoyed. 2025 – we’re almost ready for you!
Friday 27 December
Experience the Maldives in Ras Al Khaimah
If you’ve been daydreaming about a trip to the Maldives, you can now experience exotic island life a little closer to home. Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort has 174 guest rooms, suites, and several swoon-worthy overwater villas. Featuring its own sunken bar, a large outdoor pool is located just steps from the resort’s beach, where motorised water sports such as paddleboarding and kayaking are available. Come dining, the FACT award-winning Mekong is home to Southeast Asian cuisine, while Beach House serves grilled fish and seafood.
GO: Visit www.anantara.com for more information.
See French Montana live in Dubai
French Montana has confirmed that he is heading to Dubai once again with a performance at FIVE Palm Jumeirah’s Bohemia Beach Club. For those unversed, French Montana, originally Karim Kharbouch, is a global music sensation hailing from Morocco. He moved to the US when he was 13 and soon burst into the music scene with his mixtapes and hit single, Choppa Choppa Down. Blending rap and hip-hop, his work soon started resonating with the audiences. His hit tracks include Unforgettable, Pop That and No Stylist.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for more information.
Party like a celebrity at Miss Lily’s
Make like Kanye West or FACT’s editor-in-chief and head to the Jamaican hotspot Miss Lily’s for dinner and drinks. The FACT award-winning restaurant exudes a lively, colourful vibe that transports diners to the sunny Caribbean islands. Expect pumping tunes encompassing the best of Afro, Caribbean, Hip-Hop, and R&B alongside signature dishes like Curry Goat Stew and Jerk Chicken. If it’s good enough for the likes of Chris Brown and Tion Wayne, it’s good enough for us.
GO: Visit www.misslilys.com for reservations and more information.
Saturday 28 December
Dine at a FACT award winner
Curated by Chef Kelvin Cheung, the new tasting menu at the FACT award-winning Jun’s promises a memorable meal based on his global experiences, from Canada to India and beyond. Highlights from the eleven-course offering include Pani Puri, Fish Tikki Chaat, Corn 2.0, Potstickers, Congee, Beef and Broccoli Noodles, and Seven Month Buckwheat Miso and a sourdough Lava Donut. Available daily. AED 425 per person (11-course vegetarian menu) or AED 485 per person (11-course non-vegetarian menu).
GO: Call 04 457 6035 for reservations and more information.
Head to Sensasia for an indulgent holiday treatment
Christmas may be behind us, but the festive spirit lingers — and there’s still time to pamper yourself before the NYE countdown begins. Treat yourself to pure relaxation at Sensasia Spa with their indulgent Rockin’ Around experience. This 90-minute hot stone massage with cocoa butter will melt away stress, deeply relax your muscles, and leave your skin moisturised and smooth. It’s the perfect way to recharge and glow your way into the new year before the party season kicks off.
GO: Visit https://sensasiaspas.com for reservations and more information.
Party with Black Coffee at Dubai Harbour
Party people of Dubai, mark your calendars because Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee is making his triumphant return to Dubai. For the unversed, Black Coffee is no stranger to Dubai. The South African DJ and producer is celebrated for his unique fusion of house music with soulful elements, African rhythms, organic electronics, jazz influences, and evocative vocals, earning his signature style the name “Afropolitan House.” Set against the stunning backdrop of Dubai’s skyline at sunset, attendees can expect top-tier performances, mesmerising visuals and an electrifying atmosphere.
GO: Visit https://dubai.platinumlist.net for tickets and more information.
Sunday 29 December
Try a new pilates class
The FACT award-winning Matcha Club has launched a new Reformer Pilates studio, solidifying its place as a go-to destination for fitness and wellbeing. Nestled in the heart of Al Quoz, the studio features seven state-of-the-art reformer machines and a serene, thoughtfully designed space. Expect expansive mirrors, large windows, and classes that cater to all levels. To celebrate the opening, a limited-time introductory package of three Reformer Pilates classes will be offered at AED 250.
GO: Visit www.matcha-club.ae for reservations and more information.
Visit the world’s biggest beach club
Conceived by Evgeny Kuzin and Chef Izu Ani, Sirene Beach by Gaia invites you to indulge in a relaxed coastal experience right in the heart of Dubai. Inspired by Greek mythology, “Sirene” embodies the allure of the legendary Sirenes—enchanting figures known for their beauty and mesmerising voices. With seating for 400 in the restaurant, a beachfront boasting 300 sunbeds, luxurious private cabanas, and a terraced flow from dining spaces to the beach, Sirene creates a seamless experience where guests can relax and unwind, accompanied by curated beats from the resident DJ throughout the day.
GO: Follow @sirene_dxb on Instagram for more information.
Dine in the dunes at Zuma Ras Al Khaimah
Zuma can be found around the world in Madrid, Maldives and Mykonos. Now, the multiple FACT award-winner has opened a pop-up in the desert at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, giving you a chance to enjoy modern Japanese izakaya-style cuisine with breathtaking views of the dunes. Expect the likes of Zuma’s signature Miso-marinated Black Cod and Rib-eye with Wafu Sauce, or watch the chefs at work on the sushi counter and robata grill.
GO: Visit www.ritzcarlton.com for more information.
