Summer doesn’t have to mean staying indoors with nothing to do. Across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this week’s calendar is packed with everything from nostalgic film screenings and hands-on workshops to seasonal foodie experiences, family staycations and exciting new dining concepts.
Catch Cinema Akil’s Summer of Classics
Escape the heat and settle into a cinema seat as Cinema Akil brings back its much-loved Summer of Classics season. Running until 17 September, the programme celebrates some of cinema’s greatest films, with the lineup refreshed throughout the summer. July’s screenings include Inception, Oldboy, The Silence of the Lambs, Some Like It Hot, Persepolis and All the President’s Men, alongside special screenings of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
Tickets are priced at AED 56.70, making this one of the season’s best indoor outings.
Get Creative at Lush Summer Camps
If you’re searching for a fun indoor activity for the young ones during the school holidays, Lush Summer Camps are running every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 16 July to 28 August across participating stores in the UAE.
Each one-hour session includes activities such as slime making, fresh bath bomb pressing, product kit making, games and Knot Wrap styling challenges. At AED 50 per person, every participant also takes home between AED 50 and AED 100 worth of handmade Lush products, making it great value for families.
Celebrate Date Harvest Season at Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi
Summer marks date harvest season in the UAE and Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi is celebrating with a series of experiences inspired by one of the country’s most treasured fruits. Running until September, guests can join guided tours through the retreat’s date palm farm, sample freshly harvested dates and discover how the seasonal ingredient is incorporated into breakfast, drinks and wellness experiences. There’s even a signature Tamr Al Nakheel Ritual, a 90-minute spa treatment featuring dates harvested from the retreat’s own palm trees.
For bookings or further information, call +971 2817 0000, email santorini@anantara.com or visit anantara.com
Taste a Seasonal Rhutab Dessert at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Fresh Rhutab, the soft early-season dates harvested between July and August, take centre stage at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi with the launch of the limited-edition Rhutab Qahwa Cake. Available from 15 July to 4 September at The Silk Fold by ETHR Café, the dessert pairs fresh Rhutab with coffee and cardamom syrup, Rhutab cream, coffee-cardamom whipped cream and a rich coffee and date praline. Inspired by the classic pairing of fresh dates and Arabic coffee, it’s a seasonal treat that’s only available for a few weeks each year.
Enjoy Dubai Summer Restaurant Week at The Croft
British gastropub The Croft at Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites is taking part in Dubai Summer Restaurant Week with a three-course menu priced at AED 120 per person until 2 August. Choose from starters including the Scotch Egg with Mustard Emulsion or Baby Beets & Citrus Labneh, followed by mains such as Pan-Seared Seabass, Butter Chicken Pot Pie or Potato Gnocchi, before ending with a Chocolate Fondant, Crème Brûlée or Jam Roly-Poly. Reservations are available exclusively through Careem DineOut.
Build Your Own Street Eats at Girl & the Goose
Tuesday dinner plans just became a lot more interesting. Girl & the Goose has introduced its new Build Your Own Street Eats Experience, a sharing menu for two available every Tuesday for AED 189 per person. Start with guacamole, corn ribs and tostadas before choosing your favourite tacos, flautas, güirila and pupusas, with fillings ranging from slow-cooked beef cheek to gochujang grilled prawns. Round things off with a shared dessert and, if you like, a classic margarita.
Try La Lupa’s New Business Lunch
Need a new lunch spot? La Lupa in Dubai Design District has launched a weekday business lunch featuring Mediterranean favourites served across two or three courses. Available Monday to Friday, the menu is priced at AED 125 for two courses or AED 150 for three, with dishes including Risotto al Tartufo, Linguine ai Gamberi, Filet Mignon and fresh seasonal salads. If you find yourself there later in the day, the restaurant also offers a daily aperitivo with buy one get one drinks from 4pm to 8pm.
Turn Dinner into a Night Out at ZEA’s PAREA
If dinner and entertainment are equally important for you, book a table at ZEA Dubai for its new PAREA experience. Taking place every Thursday and Saturday from 9pm, the evening combines Mediterranean sharing plates with live percussionists, dancers and a resident DJ, gradually transforming dinner into a lively late-night celebration that continues until 2am. Packages start from AED 260 per person, making it a great option for birthdays, celebrations or a weekend catch-up with friends.
For reservations, call +971 56 402 6633 or email reservations@zeadubai.com
Plan a Family Staycation at Sheraton The Walk
Make the most of the school holidays with Sheraton The Walk Dubai’s summer staycation offer. Available until 31 August, children under 18 stay and dine free, while families enjoy breakfast, a complimentary lunch or dinner, kids’ activities, complimentary pet stays and a guaranteed late check-out until 4pm. Guests also receive 25% off dining across the hotel’s restaurants, making it an easy option for a stress-free weekend by the beach.
Visit Lush’s New Nad Al Sheba Pop-Up
Residents in Nad Al Sheba now have a new place to stock up on their favourite bath and body essentials. Lush has opened a limited-time pop-up at Avenue Mall, bringing a curated selection of the brand’s bestselling products to the neighbourhood until 31 December.
Browse colourful bath bombs, solid shampoo bars and favourites including Sticky Dates Shower Gel, Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner and Rub Rub Rub Body Scrub, or book a personalised skincare and haircare consultation while you’re there.
Sip Your Way Through Feels’ New Signature Drinks
Feels has introduced a fresh lineup of signature drinks across all its UAE locations. The new collection ranges from indulgent coffee creations to colourful matcha blends and collagen-infused lattes, making it an easy excuse to plan your next café stop.
Standout picks include the Maple Sea Salt Ice Latte, Blue Sky Matcha made with ceremonial matcha and blue spirulina, the rich Dark Chocolate Mocha, and the refreshing Iced Matcha with Coconut Foam. For those looking to add a wellness boost to their morning, Feels has also introduced Manuka Honey Collagen Lattes, available hot or iced. You can find the new drinks at Feels branches across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, including Kite Beach, Marsa Al Arab, Mamsha Al Saadiyat and Hudayriyat Island.
