School's back. The uniform is ironed, the bag is packed, and you've already had the "what are we doing this weekend?" conversation twice. Good news: this week is actually stacked.
Let’s go, gang.
THIS WEEKEND / DON'T MISS
Glow After Dark — Al Ain Zoo
If you’re not in Al Ain, this one might be worth the drive. Al Ain Zoo has transformed its evenings into a festival of light — glowing animal lanterns, LED performances, and wildlife experiences after dark. The zoo at night hits completely differently from the daytime version, and kids who've done it a hundred times won't recognize it. Runs Thursday to Sunday until October 4, so you've got several weekends to make it happen. Check tickets here · All ages, under 4 free
Kids & Classics: Snow White — TODA, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
TODA's Kids & Classics series is one of the best things in Dubai for young children. This Saturday it's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs — live storytelling with classical music in that beautiful 360° venue at Souk Madinat. Thirty minutes, 10:30am, done before lunch. The series runs all month — Goldilocks on September 19 and Three Little Pigs on September 26 if you want to make it a habit. Book here — Sat Sept 5 · 10:30am · Best for Ages 3–8 · Souk Madinat Jumeirah
LEGO Heroes Family Brunch — Anantara The Palm
Superhero costumes encouraged, LEGO prizes for the best one. Live music, art activities, chess, and LEGO entertainment with Brick Boy and NINJAGO Kai. Come in costume. More details — Sat Sept 5 · 1–4pm · AED 50 under 6 / AED 150 ages 6–12 · Adults from AED 449 · Anantara The Palm
FREE ICE CREAM — THIS WEEK ONLY
Three back-to-school freebies running right now.
Home Bakery is giving away a free ice cream bomb to students in uniform — but only until tomorrow, Thursday September 4. Galleria Mall Al Wasl, 3–6pm. Today or tomorrow after school, that's your window.
SALT is handing out a free Mango Softie to school kids in uniform and university students with ID, at all UAE branches, until September 7. Teachers and guardians traveling with students also qualify. Just show up.
Tim Hortons has a free small hot or iced chocolate for kids when a parent buys any medium or large drink. No end date — active across UAE outlets.
QUICK FINDS
Author Reading: Wixie the Worm — Kinokuniya, Dubai Mall
Free, no booking needed. Hershey Gargash reads from her kids' book about a worm trying to save the planet. — Fri Sept 4 · 4pm · FREE · Ages 3–7Ripe Market — City Walk and Times Square Center
Back every weekend this September. Local brands, food, fashion, easy morning out. — Every Sat & Sun · 10am–10pm · FREE entry · All ages (Check for exact timings)NHM Abu Dhabi — 30% off all September
Natural History Museum is offering 30% off admission for UAE residents all month. Book here — Under 18 FREE · Ages 4+Sensu Indoor Play — Al Raha, Abu Dhabi
Play and creative space for children from 6 months. Different zones, calm atmosphere, 20% sibling discount. — Open daily · From AED 50 · Ages 6 months–6 yearsMINT Market — Spinneys Layan
Every Thursday morning. Local brands, food, good atmosphere. New Sharjah location launching Sept 19. — Every Thursday · 10am–8pm · FREE · All ages
TEENS & TWEENS
Light on pure teen events in Dubai this specific week, but two things that need action now.
Jumeirah Park Talent Quest
If you live in a Dubai Holding community, this one’s for you. Open stage, live performance event. If you have a kid who sings, dances, or does anything performative and has been waiting for a stage — register before September 13. Grand prize on offer. Register by Sept 13 · Free to enter · Ages 10+
Dubai Makers Society Kids Academy
Woodworking, hands-on.Term One starts September 18 at their Ras Al Khor workshop. Ten sessions, real tools, real projects, small groups. WhatsApp to enquire. — Starts Sept 18 · Ages 10–15 ·
LAST CALL — MALLATHON ENDS SEPT 15
If you've been saying "we should do the Mallathon before it ends" since June, this is your two weeks. Six malls, 6–10am daily, free, no registration needed. September 15, and it's gone.
PLANNING AHEAD
Middle East Film & Comic Con — Sept 11–13, ADNEC Abu Dhabi. Gaming, anime, cosplay catwalk, artist alley, Otaku District, TCG tournaments. John Cena is appearing on Saturday and Sunday — but photos and autographs with him are AED 900 each, so temper expectations with the kids before you go. The event itself is absolutely worth it without him. Kids 6 and under free, ages 7–11 AED 50.
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair — Sept 13–18, ADNEC. 35th edition, 1,500+ events, publishers from 95 countries.
Batman Day at COMICAVE — Sept 19, Dubai Outlet Mall. Artist alley, collectors market, cosplay catwalk, community tournaments. For the DC household.
McDonald's Junior Sports Academy — Registration open now. Padel starts Sept 19, Basketball starts Sept 26. AED 100 covers coaching, kit and facilities across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Ages 8–12. Book before it fills.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Bubble Planet, Al Ain — 8 themed immersive rooms, VR, bubble experiences. Open Thu–Sun until November 7. Under 4 free.
Dubai Butterfly Garden — AED 30 residents, under 3 for free, open daily 9am–6pm.
Deep Shelves Bookshop, Sharjah — Comics from AED 15.
LASTLY
Dubai Fitness Challenge just announced its dates: October 31 to November 29, its 10th edition. The city will do what it does — Sheikh Zayed Road becomes a running track, someone shows up in a full Batman costume, and 200,000 people pretend they've been training for months. Mark it now and actually go this year.
Also worth knowing: the Museum of the Future is temporarily closed from September 1. Hold off on planning a visit until it reopens.
That's your week. Free ice cream for the kids — you’ve already won.
See you next week,
Parves
PS: Write to me — I read and reply to everything.
