Firstly, welcome to the new members of the gang!

It's raining.

I wish it were the gentle "oh how nice" rain, but unfortunately, it’s the kind where meteorologists use words like "tornado risk" and "year's worth of rainfall in three days." Thursday and Friday are forecast to be the worst of it. By Saturday, hopefully, we all will enjoy some pretty sunshine.

Schools are still on distance learning, and some companies have sent work-from-home emails. The roads are emptier than usual. It's that kind of week.

And somewhere in all of this, Primark is opening tomorrow.

So here's what's actually happening this week.

Primark Dubai Mall Opens (10am)
The first UAE store. Dubai Mall, Lower ground floor, next to Morelli's Gelato. Jeans from AED50, t-shirts from AED15. 601 employees, it’s huge, and budget-friendly. This is the most anticipated retail opening of the year.

Yuja Wang @ Dubai Opera
Grammy-winning pianist. If you want something beautiful and don't want to think for 90 minutes, this is it. From AED300.

Burj Khalifa: Atmosphere Lounge AED122 Specials
Five different experiences on the 122nd floor—breakfast (8am-11:30am), business lunch (12:30pm-4pm), afternoon tea (2:30pm-3pm), drinks with canapés (5pm-8pm), or late-night drinks (10pm-12am). Each priced at AED122. Playful nod to the floor number, phenomenal value. Book ahead.
📞 04 888 3828 | [email protected]

Peak storm day. If you can, stay home. If you can't, here's an option:

AYA Universe (Kids under 13 FREE until April 30), Wafi City
12 immersive rooms with light installations and interactive art. "Flora" has an Avatar-style light-up tree, and "The Falls" lets you dance under digital water.

The storm should be clearing. Time to get out.

Dubai World Cup (Meydan Racecourse)
The 30th edition. Tickets from AED40 (general admission). Horses, hats, people-watching. If you've never been, this is the one to go to.

Dinosaurs: The Immersive Odyssey (Dubai Festival City Mall)
VR dinosaur experience with animatronic creatures. First 30 kids FREE daily. Adults AED79.

Readles at Dubai Mall Zabeel. immersive story museum with Olympus, Dragon Island, and Underwater Kingdom zones. AED129 adults, AED99 kids 3-12.

Alserkal Avenue - Exhibitions
Free entry, family-friendly art walks. If your kids are into creative spaces, bring them here.

Beach Libraries at Jumeirah Beach 2 and Kite Beach (open all day)
Books right on the sand—Arabic and English children's stories, fiction, history. Grab a book, plop down, and return it when done. No library card required.

Ritz-Carlton JBR Day Pass (AED150 per person, kids under 12 FREE)
Pool and beach access, fully redeemable on food/drinks.

Five Iron Golf at Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi - FREE unlimited mini golf through April 30

Miracle Garden - Free for Families
Through March 31. Gate 3, show Emirates ID, last free entry 6pm daily. Kids under 12 are always free. If you haven't been this season, this is your last week.

Jungle Bay Waterpark - Free Access (Le Méridien Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina)
Through March 31. Call to book: +971 4 318 1444. Greek island-inspired slides, wave pool, beach.

This isn't the week for aggressive plans. Storm peaks Thursday-Friday.

If your week is: survive the storm, keep the kids dry, make it to Saturday, that's a full week. That's enough.

Primark will be mobbed. The World Cup will be packed. The free stuff is still available. But you don't have to do it all.

Pick one or two things. Or nothing. That’s fine, too.

Stay dry. Stay safe.

— Parves

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