How to make the most of your Friday and Saturday. Khaleej Times recommends

Diwali celebrations

Dubai is all set to witness the biggest- ever Diwali celebrations, the Indian festival of lights, announced the Indian diplomatic mission and Dubai government officials. Festivities include concerts, spectacular shows, sparkling gold and jewellery promotions, and the Middle East debut of The Elephant Parade.

Fireworks
Dubai Festival City

Date: October 24

Time: 7.45pm and 8pm

Flash mob

Where: Pointe, Palm Jumeirah

When: Until October 27

Movies

It’s Diwali weekend, which means the cinemas are filling out their theatres with Bollywood fodder for the whole family to enjoy. Among the movies, Housefull, Made in China,  Saand Ki Aankh, Bigil are the top attractions.

Dubai Fitness Challenge

Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) has stepped it up several notches in this third edition, as Dubai transforms into the world’s first and only city gym. Returning to this year’s edition are two flagship Fitness Villages at Festival City Mall and Kite Beach, supplemented by 10 community-focused Fitness Hubs, over 40 fitness events and more than 5,000 fitness and health programmes spread across the city.

Furthermore, DFC has introduced new elements including the ‘City is a Gym’ activation and the ‘Find Your 30’ virtual content hub, as well as wider range of health and wellness programmes, extending the appeal to more segments, and making it even easier for all to complete their 30 minutes of daily exercise.

Top free things to do today

Lift some barbells:  This original barbell class will strengthen your entire body and improve your endurance

What: Body Pump
Where: Dubai Ladies Club, Jumeirah
Time: 8.30am-9.30am

Walk the walk: Enjoy the energy and scenic views at The Beach as you walk or jog with your friends and family

What: Walking session
Where: Jumeirah Beach Residence
Time: Starts at 12pm

Join a ‘party’: Dance to the rhythm of Zumba and get moving in a Latin-inspired fitness party

What: Zumba
Where: Dubai Ladies Club, Jumeirah
Time: 12.15pm-1.15pm

Go spinning: Surge and sweat in a 45-minute high-intensity cycling/spinning class set to bespoke playlists

What: Cycling
Where: Surge Body Fitness, Al Sufouh
Time: 6pm-6.45pm

Spook fest

It’s (almost) Halloween and Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi is bringing back its annual festival. Today and tomorrow, the Promenade will transform into a spooky village. Competitions with prizes will keep you entertained such as the costume contest, a guess what’s in the box raffle draw and more. A programme of live shows including a zombie flash mob and the story-time witch will all be there from 4pm to 10pm.

Outdoor movie

Fancy trying a brand new way of brunching, where you put your feet up and watch one of the latest blockbuster movies? Every Friday evening Aloft City Centre Deira will host a sunset cinematic experience at the fully licensed OUTDOOR by VOX cinema, with packages starting from Dh95 per person.

Free sushi

Marking the sixth year of Sumo To Go’s outlet in Jumeirah Lake Towers, Sumo Sushi & Bento is offering a complimentary sushi roll on a purchase of a roll and a bento from Sumo’s menu. The celebratory offer is valid from Saturday at select Sumo locations.

Aperitivo night

Italian eatery Luigia at the Rixos Premium in JBR presents its monthly Aperitivo evening, with October’s rendition hosted in collaboration with National Auto, Fiat and Abarth on Saturday. Head on an unforgettable evening of Italian indulgence with the scent of freshly prepared pizzas in the air.

Comedy TV

The first ever TV show based on the local UAE comedy talent scene, Comedy Adda, will be premiering on Saturday evening  on ARY Digital at 7pm. The show will run weekly and also be released online on the comedians’ and ARY’s YouTube channels immediately after being broadcast. This show brings together eight of the UAE’s best stand-ups and the show is primarily in English. Don’t miss out on the lols!

Games con

The region’s largest gaming festival; Middle East Games Con, is on until Saturday at The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The three-day experiential show has 12 zones and will give gamers a virtual buzzing playground plus the chance to meet some of the world’s most famous YouTube gaming celebrities like The Game Theorists, Azzyland and Kwebbelkop.

Great cause

La Galerie at Alliance Francaise Dubai is hosting ‘Invisibles’, a photo exhibition by French-Swiss writer Kyra Dupont Troubetzkoy. It’s a tribute to the time she spent in the UAE. The photos are on sale  for Dh1,000 each, and each dirham goes to the people portrayed.

Live music

Seef has a packed calendar of family-friendly fun as the weather cools down. Take a stroll from the Heritage Area to the Modern Area through busy artisan markets, and every Thursday and Friday, you can enjoy performances by street musicians as well as local artists and bands.