Things To Do This Week: 24 Hours Of Racing, One Ballet Heartbreak, And A Kite Filled Sunday!

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Morning! This week’s calendar is doing that Dubai thing again, ballet and opera on one page, kites and comedy on the next, then a musical for anyone who wants a big night out without a nightclub headache. The headline move is the 24H Race at Dubai Autodrome, a full weekend of engines, floodlights, and people debating lap times like it’s a personality trait. Pick your lane and commit, cultured, chaotic, or family friendly, because this week has enough going on to keep your group chat busy.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK

🏁 - 24H Race Dubai: 24 Hours, One Track, And A Very Long Day For Everyone’s Legs
📍 - Dubai Autodrome
📅 - Sat 17th Jan to Sun 18th Jan
⏰ - Doors 9:00 AM | Race Starts 1:00 PM
📷 - @24hseries

This is endurance racing in its most unhinged form. One race running straight through day, night, and back into daylight, with teams rotating drivers, chasing lap times, and trying not to bin it at 3:00 AM.

Go for the start and the late afternoon runs, then come back after dark when the track looks like a moving light show. There are food and entertainment areas on site too, so it works as a full day out even if motorsport is not your entire personality.

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?

Romeo & Juliet By Russian State Ballet Mari El - Zabeel Theatre
Mon 12th Jan | 8:00 PM | More Info

Pavel Volya - Dubai Opera
Tue 13th Jan | 8:00 PM | More Info

Hatim Ammor And Dounia Batma Live - Dubai Opera
Wed 14th Jan | 7:30 PM | More Info

Light Middle East Awards 2026 - Conrad Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
Wed 14th Jan | 8:00 PM | More Info

Champagne Problems - La Camera! By TOTÓ
Fri 16th Jan | 8:00 PM | More Info

Vice Mafia Night With Daaku Duo - VICE, Ramee Dream Hotel
Fri 16th Jan | 10:00 PM | More Info

STREETXOLAND Saturday Brunch - The Link, One Za'abeel
Sat 17th Jan | 12:30 PM | More Info

War & Peace - Dubai Opera
Sat 17th Jan | 6:00 PM | More Info

Wagef! Stand Up Comedian Mina Nader Live - Zabeel Theatre
Sat 17th Jan | 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM | More Info

The Laughter Factory January 2026 - Dukes, The Palm
Sat 17th Jan | 8:30 PM | More Info

Kingsman Night Brunch - TATEL Dubai
Sat 17th Jan | 9:00 PM | More Info

Kite Mela 2026 In Dubai - Amity Dubai School Al Quasis 1
Sun 18th Jan | 11:00 AM | More Info

Toxic - Abhishek Upmanyu Live In Dubai - The New Covent Garden Theatre
Sun 18th Jan | 7:30 PM | More Info

Once Upon A Time In Dubai: The Musical - The Agenda, Media City
Sun 18th Jan | 7:30 PM | More Info

SCRUMPTIOUS SCOOP

🍽️ - Mama Restaurant: Group Dinners, Good Cocktails, And A Secret Bar Escape
📍 - Mama Shelter
🕒 - Breakfast (Mon to Sun) 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
🕒 - Lunch and Dinner (Sun to Thu) 12:30 PM to 12:00 AM
🕒 - Lunch and Dinner (Fri to Sat) 12:30 PM to 2:00 AM
📷 - @mamashelterdubai

Mama Shelter’s restaurant is the kind of place you pick when nobody can agree on a cuisine, but everyone still wants to leave happy. The menu covers a lot without feeling random: burrata, beef tartare with fries, a Wagyu burger, pastas like bucatini pomodoro, plus grills and seafood if you want something more “meal” than “snack”.

The room is made for groups and long chats, and if you want a reset mid night, there’s a speakeasy style bar tucked away for a quieter second round.

ACTIVITY ALLEY

🏎️ - Chaos Karts Dubai: Real Life Mario Kart Energy Without Needing A Licence
📍 - Chaos Karts UAE, Al Quoz
🕒 - Mon to Thu 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
🕒 - Fri to Sun 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
🎟️ - From AED 140
📷 - @chaoskartsuae

This is go karting with a video game brain. You race round themed tracks with augmented reality visuals and power ups, so it turns into chaos in the best way, especially with a group. No licence needed, no minimum age, you just need to be tall enough to reach the pedals (1.30m) and anyone under 16 needs an adult with them. The race itself is 20 minutes, but you’ll be in the venue for about an hour once you factor in briefing and getting sorted.

FRESH EXPERIENCES

🎮 - Activate Dubai: The Arcade That Makes You Sweat
📍 - City Centre Mirdif, Level 1 (Next To Little Explorers)
🕒 - Every Day 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
🎟️ - AED 95 per player (Mon to Sun)
📷 - @activategamesuae

This is for anyone who says they "don’t do the gym" but will happily sprint around a glowing room for points. You go in a group of 2 to 5 and bounce between quickfire game rooms that mix jumping, climbing, dodging lasers, and a bit of problem solving. Your wristband tracks scores and levels, so it turns into a friendly rivalry fast. Book ahead if you want the cleanest run at it, walk ins are fine if you’re feeling lucky.

LOCAL SCOOP DUBAI WEATHER

Friday
20°C 🌡️ 18°C | Sunny Intervals.

Saturday
21°C 🌡️ 18°C | Sunny.

Sunday
21°C 🌡️ 18°C | Sunny.
Temperature readings taken the night before publication

THANKS!

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