Welcome to all new members of the gang!
A big week ahead. There’s an arena show, a painting session inside a shark tank at 7:30am, which sounds crazy, and more. Let's go.
THE MAIN COURSE
➤ Paw Patrol Live! Heroes Unite — Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Fri–Sun Sept 11–13.
Chase, Marshall, Skye, and the crew are doing a full live arena show at Etihad Arena this weekend. Multiple showtimes across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you have a 2–7-year-old at home, you know they’re going to love this Tickets here— AED 95 onward— Ages 2–8; under 2 free with adult ticket
➤ Painting Inside Dubai Aquarium — The Paint Lab. Sat Sept 12.
Step inside Dubai Aquarium before the mall opens and paint surrounded by sharks and rays. I think this has to be one of the more unusual things I've seen come up in a while. Only 15 spots at AED 350 — if this is your kind of morning, don't sit on it. Book here — Sat Sept 12 · 7:30–9:30am · AED 350 · Ages 14+ · Dubai Mall
➤ MEFCC — Middle East Film & Comic Con. Fri–Sun Sept 11–13. Abu Dhabi.
Gaming, anime, cosplay, Trading Card Game tournaments, artist alley, Otaku District. John Cena is appearing Saturday and Sunday — photos and autographs with him are AED 900 each, so have that conversation before you arrive. The event itself is great regardless. Kids 6 and under are free; ages 7–11 are AED 50 at the door. Best for Ages 8+ (More)
QUICK FINDS
➤ Glow After Dark — Al Ain Zoo · Until Oct 4
Featured last week and still very much worth it. Zoo after dark, glowing lanterns, LED performances. All ages, under 4 free
➤ Beyond Dome — Dubai Festival City Mall
360° immersive dome — solar system or dinosaurs, your pick. About 50 minutes. Birthday guests get free entry within 7 days of their birthday, show ID. — Ages 5+
➤ Dubai Dolphinarium — 50% off the 11am show
Half price every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Online booking only. — All ages · Dubai Creek
➤ Arabian Wildlife Center Sharjah
Free for under 12s, 9am–6pm daily, Fridays from 2pm. All ages
➤ Mama Roots Walk + MUMU Family — Dubai Hills Mall.
Morning walk for mums and little ones, then coffee and kids' playtime at MUMU Family. AED 50 for an hour's play, fully redeemable on food and drinks to join. Ages 0–4, Thu Sept 10, 9am.
➤ Mawasem Park — between Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Free indoor greenhouse, tropical plants, fruit trees, hydroponics. Perfect for curious kids. Save it for when you need something completely different. — FREE · All ages.
Or check out the many brilliant parks in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Shaded and cooler, with water activities, slides, swings, and an on-site cafe. Free, of course. Ages 1–8 ·
SHOWS AND SCREENS
➤ Cats in the Museum: Treasures of Egypt — From Thu Sept 10. Animated film, cats causing chaos inside an Egyptian museum. Hitting all cinemas this Thursday. — Ages 4–10
➤ The Butterfly Who Flew Into the Rave — NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Centre. Sept 10–12. Live performance at The Black Box. Best for older teens and adults who want something different — Ages 15+ (More)
TEENS AND TWEENS
➤ The Harmony MVMNT — Sat Sept 12. Al Quoz. FREE.
A community singing event where a room full of strangers becomes one choir. No experience needed whatsoever. 4–7:30pm, Warehouse 12B, Belhasa Compound, Al Quoz 3. Register via @theharmonymvmnt — limited seats. — Ages 13+ · FREE. Note: I see registrations are full, but there’s no harm in sending them a DM because, as my mom tells me, the worst answer you can get is a no. So try.
➤ Teen Barista Workshop — Harvest Cafe, Deira. Sept 20 & 27.
Latte art and coffee cupping, AED 99, 2–4pm. For teens aged 12–17 at NGI House, Port Saeed. Limited slots — Ages 12–17 · AED 99. (More)
LAST CALL
Dubai Mallathon ends September 15. Less than a week left. Six malls, 6–10am daily, free, no registration needed. Just show up.
Terra Expo City — kids under 12 free until September 30. Three weeks left on this one. Metro-accessible, always good.
PLANNING AHEAD
Abu Dhabi Book Fair — Sept 13–18, ADNEC. Starts this Sunday. 1,500+ events, publishers from 95 countries. Good for kids who read and for those who need to start. (More)
Interstellar Movie Night — Sept 19, Sustainable City Dubai. Screening of Interstellar, then telescope observation and a chat with Dubai Astronomy experts. AED 70 kids / AED 80 adults. 7–11pm. — Ages 10+ (More)
Speedy Comics COME PLAY — Sept 26–27, Times Square Center, Dubai. FREE. Card Games, cosplay, Smash Bros, workshops, pop culture vendors. Full weekend. Free entry (More)
Very Hungry Caterpillar Show — Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi. Nov 6–7. 75+ puppets, four Eric Carle stories, live music. A lovely first theatre experience. Nov 6 at 5:30pm, Nov 7 at 11am. Ages 2–6 (Tickets)
Lastly, for the parents: A fun place I’ve been to many times: Brass Monkey just opened in Motor City—food, bowling, games, all under one roof. Worth checking out if you’ve never been. 21+ only.
That's your week. Paw Patrol for the small ones, sharks for the brave ones, and some singing, comics, and everything else for the rest of us.
— Parves
Reply to this. I read everything.
