What to do in Dubai

Dubai’s vibrant entertainment scene is about to reach new heights with the unveiling of New Covent Garden, a premier performing arts venue at the heart of the Mall of the Emirates. Designed to bring world-class live shows to Dubai, this exciting cultural hub will house a 575-seat theater, ten dance and rehearsal studios, and an on-site restaurant. Slated to open in early 2025, New Covent Garden will attract diverse performances, including West End musicals, Arabic drama, ballet, comedy, opera, family shows, and concerts. This ambitious project is spearheaded by industry icons Lisa Scott-Lee, of Steps fame, and creative director Johnny...

Parking in Dubai Silicon Oasis changes from June 1. Drivers will now find new on-street parking zones near DSO and the University Residence buildings. The new areas use a ticketless parking system with automatic number plate recognition. Parking rates in Dubai Silicon Oasis: AED 4/hour from 12 AM to 4 PM and from 8 PM to 12 AM AED 6/hour from 4 PM to 8 PM There are no cash payment options in the new zones. Payment happens digitally through Salik or SMS. Other changes for drivers in Dubai: a 5% VAT now applies to parking services and Salik from...

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out major updates to the public bus network. The changes include rerouting of some lines, new stops in expanding communities, and revised end points for better accessibility. The update supports RTA’s long-term plans to make public transport the preferred option across the city and reduce road congestion. Below, you can find all the changes to Dubai bus routes: Rerouted Bus Services Route 24: Adjusted path within Al Nahda 1 Route 44: Now runs through Dubai Festival City instead of Rebat Street Route F12: Rerouted between Satwa Roundabout and Wasal Park via Kuwait...

A familiar stop on the Dubai Metro red line just got a name change. As of May 5, 2025, the UAE Exchange Metro Station — located in Jebel Ali Industrial Area and serving as the last station on the red line in that direction — is now officially called Life Pharmacy Metro Station. The rebranding follows a 10-year naming rights agreement between Life Pharmacy Group and Hypermedia, with Mada Media involved as the RTA’s authorised concessionaire for station naming partnerships. According to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), updates to signage — both inside and outside the station — as...

World Art Dubai starts next week, turning the Dubai World Trade Centre into a hub of creativity from April 17 to 20, 2025. For its 11th year, the international art fair brings together more than 400 exhibitors from over 65 countries. Expect paintings, sculptures, digital art, photography, and much more, all under one roof. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just curious about art, World Art Dubai offers something for each visitor — including immersive experiences and over 10,000 art pieces for sale, ranging from affordable pieces (USD 100) to high-end collectibles (over USD 20,000).     View this post...

Good news for commuters in Dubai! The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has introduced free public WiFi at 29 bus and marine transport stations across the city. Now, whether you’re waiting for a bus or a water taxi, you can check emails, scroll through social media, or watch videos without using your mobile data. The service is currently available at 17 bus stations and 12 marine transport stations, with plans to expand further. By the second quarter of 2025, all 43 RTA bus and water transport stations — including 21 bus stops and 22 marine hubs — will offer free...

SEPHORiA is returning to Dubai this November, and beauty enthusiasts are in for a treat. The immersive beauty festival is back for its second year, and it's set to be bigger and more exciting than ever. The event will take place on November 20-22 at Al Wasl Plaza, bringing early holiday cheer for those ready to experience everything the beauty world has to offer. With anticipation building, it’s clear this year’s festival will include even more immersive activations, exclusive product drops, and TikTok-worthy moments sure to fill feeds for weeks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sephora...

Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has announced updates to the taxi fare structure that will affect both app-based e-hailing services and regular Dubai taxis. These changes will apply to all types of journeys, including peak, off-peak, and night-time rides, giving commuters a clear idea of what to expect depending on the time and day of their travel. Here's the official announcement made by RTA via social media (Instagram) on November 6. View this post on Instagram A post shared by هيئة الطرق والمواصلات، دبي (@rta_dubai) Below, you will find a breakdown of the updated fare system with timings....

Hot days are settling in across the UAE, which means the return of the annual outdoor work ban. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) confirmed that the midday work ban will last for 3 months in 2026. Dates: June 15 to September 15 Timings: 12:30 PM to 3 PM daily During this period, outdoor work under direct sunlight and in open-air areas will not be permitted. Employers must provide shaded areas where workers can take their break, along with cooling equipment such as fans, drinking water, and hydration supplies. Some jobs can continue during the ban: Asphalt paving...

If you’ve ever wandered through Alserkal Avenue during art week and wished it lasted longer, you’re getting your wish this year. For five weekends, from April 18 to May 18, Al Quoz fills with exhibitions, talks, performances, and workshops over five weekends. Here’s a first look at what’s coming. April 18: Opening weekend On the first weekend, 16 gallery exhibitions open at once. Anthony Akinbola’s solo exhibition at Carbon 12 opens on April 18 and remains on view until May 24. At the same time, a new public artwork by Shilpa Gupta Still A Sky We Hold will appear in...