If your weekends have started looking a little too predictable, August is a great time to shake things up. Across Dubai, cafés, studios and creative spaces are hosting hands-on experiences where you can paint your pet, blend your own perfume, transform old clothes into something new or even turn a popular dessert into a candle.
Paint Your Pet At riina
Pet lovers listen up! Paint Your Pet, the first event in Sunday Rituals at riina, a new workshop series is set to take place every other Sunday. Led by Dubai-based muralist Roydan Barboza (Captain Barboza), the session begins before you even arrive. Participants send in a favourite photo of their pet along with a few details about their personality, allowing the artist to prepare a personalised sketch in advance. During the workshop, you’ll bring the portrait to life with step by step guidance before taking home a one of a kind artwork inspired by your furry companion.
The session also marks the start of a wider programme that will include charm making, candle making and collaborative art workshops in the months ahead.
When: Sunday, 9 August, 4pm to 6pm
Where: riina, Meadows Village
Price: AED 300 per person
Register: Here
Paint Your Pup At The Duck Hook
Pawsome news for pet parents and animal lovers! Spend a Saturday morning celebrating your four-legged best friend at The Duck Hook’s Paint Your Pup workshop. Before the session, participants submit a photo of their dog, which is transformed into a professionally pre-sketched canvas ready to paint on the day. The experience includes all art materials, breakfast and a beverage, while canine companions are welcome to join in the fun with treats from the venue’s dedicated dog menu, including dog-friendly ice cream.
When: Saturday, 8 August, 9am to 11am
Where: The Duck Hook, Dubai Hills Golf Club
Price: AED 175 per person (excluding VAT)
Register: HERE
Give Your Wardrobe A Second Life At Terra
Looking for a workshop that’s as practical as it is creative? Terra at Expo City Dubai is hosting its Upcycle & Make Workshop, where participants can transform pre-loved clothing into something completely new using embroidery, sewing machines and upcycled denim.
Guided by experienced makers, the session encourages guests to repair, personalise or reinvent existing garments instead of throwing them away. Whether you’re customising a denim jacket or adding new details to an old favourite, you’ll leave with a refreshed wardrobe piece and a few new skills to match.
When: Saturday, 8 August, 10am to 12pm
Where: Terra, Expo City Dubai
Price: AED 200
Register: HERE
Get Creative Every Weekend At Novotel Dubai Al Barsha
If one workshop isn’t enough, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha has an entire programme of weekend creative experiences to choose from.
The rotating line up includes cake decorating, where you’ll decorate your own cake before enjoying a tea party, terrarium workshops that let you build your own miniature indoor garden, and hand sculpting sessions where you’ll learn to shape clay creations while enjoying refreshments. Whether you’re looking to discover a new hobby or simply spend an afternoon away from your screen, there’s something different happening every weekend.
Highlights include:
- Cake Decorating Workshop: Every Saturday, 4pm to 6pm, from AED 149
- Terrarium Workshop: Every Sunday, 11am to 1pm, AED 179
- Hand Sculpting Workshop: Every Sunday, 5pm to 7pm, AED 160
Make Edible Works Of Art At Berrymuch
Berrymuch has a packed calendar of workshops running throughout August at its Jumeirah Garden City studio.
Choose from experiences including the Belgian Chocolate Bouquet Workshop, Marshmallow Bouquet Workshop, Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Decorating Experience, Mochi Making Workshop and Signature Candle Making Workshop. Suitable for beginners, each session is designed to be fun, interactive and easy to follow, making them ideal for friends, couples or anyone looking to pick up a new creative hobby.
Workshops run throughout the week, with additional sessions available every weekend. Advance booking is required.
Where: Berrymuch, Jumeirah Garden City, Al Satwa
Turn Dessert Into A Candle At Find Salt
One of the most unique workshops this month comes from Brunch & Art and Find Salt, where the venue’s popular Mango Sticky Rice Softie has inspired a dessert-themed candle-making class.
Participants will create a candle that looks just like the signature dessert before sitting down to enjoy the real thing. The experience includes all candle-making materials, a guided workshop and a Mango Sticky Rice Softie, making it equal parts craft session and dessert date.
What’s included: Guided candle-making workshop, all materials and a Mango Sticky Rice Softie
Blend Your Own Signature Perfume
Ever wondered what goes into creating a fragrance? Signature Esscents Perfumes is hosting a series of beginner-friendly workshops where participants can learn the basics of perfume composition before blending a scent that’s completely their own.
The experience covers fragrance notes, blending techniques and hands-on guidance throughout the session. By the end, you’ll head home with a 50ml bottle of your personalised perfume and a scent journal to remember the formula you’ve created.
When: 8, 15, 22 and 29 August, from 12pm (approximately 1.5 hours)
Where: Signature Esscents Perfumes, Jafiliya
Price: AED 200 per person
Ladies’ Night Gets Creative at Hillhouse Brasserie
Hillhouse Brasserie is giving the classic ladies’ night a creative spin with a different themed workshop or interactive experience each month. From creative workshops, exclusive brand collaborations and pop-up shopping concepts, each edition brings something new alongside the venue’s regular Ladies’ Night dining package.
When: Monthly
Where: Hillhouse Brasserie, Dubai Hills Golf Club
Price: AED 135 for two courses and three drinks or AED 150 for three courses and three drinks. Advance booking required.
