Cycling fun, farms, 90s nostalgia (baggy pants, anyone?), concerts, sports, and beaches.

Let’s go.

Sharjah Light Festival — Feb 3-15, happening NOW. 15th edition, theme "Reflections of Belonging." 13 landmarks across Sharjah illuminated with 3D mapping, light installations, sound. Shows 6pm-11pm daily (midnight weekends), 10-min shows on loop. Past venues include: Al Noor Mosque, Sharjah Fort, Al Majaz Waterfront, Khorfakkan Waterfall, Al Rafisah Dam. Completely FREE.

Although the festival wraps up in 13 days, The Light Village is open Jan 29-Feb 22 — festival's social hub with 50+ food vendors, play zones, workshops, entertainment. This is huge, worth going to.

Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge happens Feb 14-15 at Expo City. The main 92km race is on Sunday (Feb 15), but Saturday's when families should show up. There's a 3km Family Fun Ride — traffic-free loops you can do at your own pace for 90 minutes. Plus junior rides for kids: 1km tiny tots, 2km kids, 3km/6km/9km for older ones. The post-ride village has Spinneys food stalls and activities. It's a weekend when they shut down actual Dubai roads for cyclists. From AED 45 (kids), AED 535 (main race).

And while we're on bikes: Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park is open 24/7 with an 850m kids course complete with street signs, bumps, and roundabouts. FREE. Good for teaching the kiddos road rules without actual traffic.

The 90s by RBO opened Feb 12 at Sharjah Research Technology Park (runs through March 1). Five zones: fashion, food, music, entertainment, gaming. VHS tapes, flip phones, scrunchies everywhere. The retro gaming area has actual Game Boys and PlayStations where kids can experience cartridge-blowing as a legitimate troubleshooting method. Open 4pm-midnight daily.

The Grand Picnic returns to Safa Park on Sunday Feb 15, 10am-6pm. Over 1,000 cars — classics, supercars, motorcycles, trucks. Ferrari-themed activation for kids. Live music. Food from Burnt Butter, Pie Planet, Temple, GOAT Burger, Home Bakery, and others. AED 3 park entry (free for under-2s). That's it. You get to walk around vintage Porsches while eating from Dubai's best homegrown food vendors for less than a coffee.

Ferjan Festival at Mushrif Park runs through Feb 26. Emirati heritage festival set among the park's ghaf trees with artisan markets, live cooking challenges, workshops (painting, crafting, photography), and traditional performances. Kids workshops throughout. 4pm-11pm daily. Totally FREE. Mushrif Park is also home to the International Village with miniature traditional houses from different countries - worth exploring while you're there.

Hewi Nad Al Sheba just opened (late Jan) — Dubai's first traditional-meets-modern community space. Play areas for kids with parents' seating overlooking them (Al Yalsa), walking paths, event spaces for community gatherings, traditional Emirati game areas. Built with sustainable materials, native plants, it’s the government trying to recreate the old "neighborhood courtyard" vibe. FREE. Good for a few hours when you need outdoor space that isn't a mall.

Casa Mikoko — Umm Al Quwain, 1.5hrs from Dubai. Mangrove resort, kayaking, water bikes, mangrove tours. Restaurants cost around AED 50-150. But there is a minimum spend of AED 150 if you’re not staying over. Feels like you left the UAE.

Bryan Adams at Saadiyat Nights, Abu Dhabi — Wed Feb 11, 5pm. "Summer of '69", “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", the whole catalog. From AED 295.

John Mayer also at Saadiyat Nights — Sat Feb 15, 9pm. Pop, rock, blues under the stars. From AED 295.

Both outdoor. And both still have tickets…for now.

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships start Feb 15. Women's tournament runs Feb 15-21, men's Feb 23-28. Top-ranked players are going at it at the classic Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Tickets from AED 65.

Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi — Feb 6-15. 37 sports, 25,000+ participants, includes aquathlons and family-friendly events. If you missed the start, still happening through Feb 15.

Burj2Burj Half Marathon happened Feb 8 (you missed it), but worth noting for next year. The reviews were fantastic. Next year…

Jumeirah 1 Beach — reopened earlier this month after getting 50% bigger. Now 1,400m long with walking/jogging/cycling tracks, AI safety monitoring, smart lockers, FREE WiFi, new play zones for kids, better facilities. Still FREE. This is now genuinely one of the best public beaches in Dubai, and you should go before everyone realizes it.

Cinema Under the Stars — JLT Park, every Saturday 7:30pm through Feb 14. FREE (bring blanket) or AED 30 beanbag with popcorn. Family-friendly films.

Heritage Village in Al Shindagha — reconstructed traditional houses, pearl diving demonstrations, pottery making. FREE entry. Teaches kids pre-oil UAE history way better than a textbook.

Al Qudra Lakes — desert drive about 35 mins from Downtown. FREE picnic spot with views of flamingos and desert wildlife. Bring your own BBQ setup (disposable ones work). Clean up after.

Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park (mentioned above) — 24-hour access, lit at night, kids' course with actual road signs.

Mina A'Salam Turtle Rehabilitation — rescued turtles in public enclosures at the hotel. Viewings at 11am (Wed) and 1pm (Fri). Kids can watch feeding. FREE.

Al Masar Garden, Abu Dhabi — 600m walkway with native ghaf trees, 12 life-sized animal sculptures, and a falaj system. Zayed National Museum grounds. Here’s a video.

Neighbourhood Brew Dubai — community vibe, decent coffee, kids' play

Splendour Fields — farm-to-table, outdoor play area

Mint Concept — minimalist, play zone for older kids

Pepe Dubai — Mediterranean food, kids' area + outdoor cinema

TipTop — soft play with arts & crafts stations (mentioned last week, still relevant)

Gogo Village Khawaneej — climbing walls, gardening activities, outdoor space

Oktopus Park by We Play — themed zones by age group

Or just hit Kite Beach — open sand, fitness areas, beach library, kids' activities. FREE.

Sharjah parking drama — Municipality banned car parking shades outside homes. Residents are calling it impractical because many villas lack internal space. Dubai lets you apply for RTA permits, but Sharjah's drawing a hard line.

Dubai infrastructure — new 4-lane bridge on Al Qudra Road (Arabian Ranches/Dubai Studio City intersection) increased capacity by 191% and cut waiting times by 50%. Opened recently, it could actually make a difference if you drive that route.

Al Layan Oasis announced — 10 million sq ft, 2.5 million sq ft lake. Recreational facilities, sports trails, camping, open-air cinema, and desert tourism. Part of the AED 4 billion green projects package. Not open, just announced. Coming eventually. Exciting.

Big Bad Wolf Book Sale — Feb 26-March 8, Sound Stages Dubai Studio City. Books from AED 2, 2M+ titles. 10am-midnight daily. FREE entry. Mark it down.

Ramadan District Season 4 — launching late Feb/early March at Expo City. Markets, iftar experiences, and entertainment.

That's it. You have enough.

Now, do something.

Parves