Welcome to the New Members of the Gang!
Hey gang, school's back on, the heat's here, and the World Cup kicks off Thursday night. Here's what's worth doing this week.
THE ART OF GAMING
➤ GameExpo 2026 runs June 5–7 at Dubai World Trade Centre, Za'abeel Halls 6–8. Three days of gaming, esports, cosplay, and live competitions. 300+ games, 10 zones, VR experiences, LEGO build areas, and a Family Zone with Modesh and Dana meet-and-greets for younger kids. Tickets from AED 29 for a day pass; family pass (2 adults + 4 kids) is AED 63.75 for all three days.
➤ The girls' experience at GameExpo is worth a separate callout. Live skincare consultations with ANUA and Drunk Elephant, NARS signature makeup looks, a full K-beauty zone, all-girl gaming tournaments, and a collectibles market. If you have a daughter between 10 and 16 who's into beauty, gaming, anime, or all three — Saturday June 6 is the day.
➤ The Dubai Cosplay Championship takes over the Main Arena on June 7 with an AED 50,000 prize pool. Registration is free across Pro, Novice, and Junior categories. Even if your teenager isn't competing, it's worth going just to watch.
ALL SPORTS DON’T NEED TO BE OUTDOORS
➤ Abu Dhabi Summer Sports opens its fifth edition on Saturday June 6 at ADNEC, running through August 23. You’ll get access to 52 courts and activity zones, including football, padel, basketball, badminton, cricket, table tennis, volleyball, tennis, chess, obstacle course, yoga, and a wellness recovery zone — all indoors, all air-conditioned, open daily 6am–1am. There’s also camps for children aged 4 to 16, women-only sports programmes, activities for senior citizens, and sports sessions for People of Determination. And if you don’t like physical sports there are sections for AR VR and E-gaming. If you're wondering about the Dubai version — Dubai Sports World launches June 19 at the World Trade Centre.
➤ Skate Fest at Circuit X — Hudayriyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Saturday, June 6, 5pm–8pm. Competition, big tricks, non-stop runs, and prizes for the top riders. Open to all skill levels. Register here.
➤ Ground Control — Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah + Dubai Festival City Mall. Bowling, mini golf, darts, axe-throwing, retro arcade games, and billiards under one roof. The bowling lanes have ramps for young kids, which means a 6-year-old can play alongside older siblings without the evening falling apart. Open daily 10am–10pm (midnight on weekends). Two Dubai locations, no booking required for walk-ins.
ARTS & CULTURE
➤ Beyond Dome Dubai is now open at Dubai Festival City Mall — the city's first immersive 360° geodesic dome. The current show is The Great Solar System Adventure, a space journey that surrounds you completely with directional spatial sound and full-dome projection. Bean bags, no screens, just the dome around you. Here.
➤ The Cave of Wonders at Quranic Park — Al Khawaneej. AED 5 entry, open 9am–9pm, Nol card accepted. An interactive journey through Quranic scientific references and Islamic history inside a cave structure in a public park. Most Dubai residents have never been, at least the ones I’ve asked.
➤ Imperfect Homegrown Market — Warehouse 46, Al Serkal Avenue. Saturday June 6 + Sunday June 7, from 11am. Local makers, independent brands, food stalls. A good Saturday morning for families who want to support local and wander Al Serkal without a purpose.
➤ Kensuke's Kingdom — RAK Chamber Theatre, Ras Al Khaimah. Friday June 5. The animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's novel is screening as part of the European Film Festival UAE. A boy, a deserted island, a Japanese hermit — quietly brilliant storytelling for older kids and parents.
OUTDOORS — THE MANGROVE OPTION
Worth knowing for a weekend road trip. Three mangrove destinations, three completely different experiences:
➤ Jubail Mangrove Park — Abu Dhabi. 2km of wooden boardwalk through one of the largest urban mangrove forests in the world. Sea turtles, herons, mudskippers. Free entry. Go before 9am.
➤ Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre — Kalba, Sharjah. AED 15 adults, free under 12. Kayaking through the UAE's oldest mangrove forest. Home to the Arabian Collared Kingfisher, a bird found almost nowhere else on earth. Open Tuesday–Sunday.
➤ Ajman Mangroves — Ajman. The quietest of the three. Kayak tours between the trees, almost no crowds. The find for families who've already done Khor Kalba.
ENTERTAINMENT AND FUN
➤ Dubai Festival City's IMAGINE Show runs nightly year-round — a mix of high-power lasers, fire jets, and 30-metre dancing fountains over the water. Free to watch. Monday 7–10pm, Friday through Sunday 7–11pm, every 30 minutes. Easy to combine with dinner at the mall.
➤ Gracia Farm Splash Day — Every Saturday, 5–9:30pm. Farm setting, water play, animals, evening programme. Check their Instagram directly for this week's details and booking link.
FOR THE LITTLE ONES
➤ Dubai Creek Abra — AED 1 per person. Walk to the Creek, board a traditional wooden boat, cross from Deira to Bur Dubai in four minutes. No ticket, no booking, no planning. For a child who has never done it, it is genuinely one of the most memorable things to do in this city. The price is one dirham. (More)
➤ MBR Library — Children's Section — Umm Hurair. Free. A proper public library with a well-designed kids' section, storytelling sessions, and reading corners. A calm weekday morning that costs nothing. (More)
➤ Museum of the Future — Sheikh Zayed Road. The ground floor is free to walk through. Children under 4 get free entry to the full museum. If you haven't done it with a young child yet, this is a good week for it. And because it’s the Year of the family, children under 12 get in free for every paying adult (More)
QUICK HITS
➤ Kids Casting Call — ANT Management is looking for children for an e-commerce photoshoot. Age groups: 5–6, 9–10, and 12–24. Boys and girls. UAE residents only. WhatsApp +971 58 637 9889 to express interest.
⚽️⚽️⚽️ THE WORLD CUP STARTS THURSDAY ⚽️⚽️⚽️
➤ The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 in Mexico City — Mexico vs South Africa, 11pm GST. 48 teams, 104 matches, 39 days. The largest World Cup in history. If you have a football-obsessed kid, Thursday night is worth staying up for together. Fan zones are running across Dubai — The Fanzone McGettigan's at Bla Bla JBR has all 104 matches on screen, from AED 60, fully redeemable on food and drinks.
COMING UP. PLAN AHEAD.
➤ Spartan City — Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi — June 13. A 3km indoor obstacle course with 15 Spartan obstacles. Kids' races run alongside from 1km, scaled by age. Adults from AED 250 (30% off with code AROO30). Kids from AED 110. Medals at the finish. Register now.
➤ Dubai Sports World — World Trade Centre. June 19. Dubai's answer to Abu Dhabi Summer Sports. Indoor courts, family sports, summer camps. Full program dropping soon.
➤ Toy Story 5 — UAE cinemas. June 2026. Woody and Buzz, back for the first time in seven years. Worth putting in the calendar now.
See you next week.
Parves
