Make the most of your Dubai trip with our 2023 vacay to-do list

Dubai has long been a popular destination for Pakistanis looking for a quick escape. Just a short flight away, one can enjoy an array of experiences that Dubai offers, from stunning landscapes, and cultural events to exciting concerts featuring a stellar line-up of artists and musicians. 

With New Year’s Eve around the corner, there is plenty of excitement for tourists there, and here is how you can make the most of your trip.

Experience eclectic music by world-class artists

As a global entertainment hub, some of the biggest names in the music industry are set to make an appearance in Dubai in the coming months. 

Visitors will be treated to non-stop revelry, from Dutch DJ Martin Garrix’s concert on 30 December to multi-award-winning German music composer Hans Zimmer who will bring his European tour Hans Zimmer Live to Dubai in January 2023. 

However, it is not just international artists who will be making waves in Dubai, as Pakistani artist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is set to dazzle crowds on 29 December with his powerhouse vocals. 

Furthermore, don’t forget to catch the Grammy Award-winning group, the Gipsy Kings and rock out to a fusion of flamenco-style tunes with Western pop in 2023. 

Clearly, music enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with all the concerts lined up for the end of 2022 and early 2023.

Discover a stellar roster of shopping, literature and food festivals

Besides live concerts, an array of festivals are scheduled in 2023. Dubai has a festival for everything from food to art to retail therapy. 

One thing that Dubai is synonymous with is shopping, and it is no surprise that they have a full-fledged event dedicated to it in the form of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF): music, plenty of great discounts and offers and prizes that will be up for grabs for shoppers from mid-December until the end of January. 

After DSF, you can let your mind feast on the arts at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. Set to run from 1 to 6 February, Emirates Lit Fest offers workshops, and activities, and can even give you a chance to meet your favourite authors. 

Those planning their visit in spring will also have an opportunity to embark on a gastronomic adventure at the Dubai Food Festival, which will run from 28 April through to 7 May. Whether it is street food or exotic delicacies, you will have a chance to appreciate them all and get a taste of Dubai’s fantastic dining scene.

Join in on the electrifying energy of sports tournaments

From tennis to cricket to football, Dubai has become a favourite destination for sports enthusiasts. It is the perfect place to broaden your horizons and dabble in sports that are not too popular in Pakistan. For example, earlier this month, individuals learnt the rudiments of rugby at the Emirates Airline Rugby 7s (one of the world’s most loved IRB Sevens competitions), rounded off by exciting music acts by international artists and DJs and food stalls. 

For tennis fanatics, the 2022 World Tennis League will be taking place in the city from 19 to 24 December on hard court at the Coca-Cola Arena. Witness 18 world class tennis players and six international artists at the “greatest show on court”. 

Golf lovers can rub shoulders with top international players, such as Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland and Lee Westwood, among others and watch them take their shots live at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The event will be held at the Emirates Golf Club from 26 to 29 January and is a great place for families to spend time together as they enjoy tasty treats and explore other activities off-course.

Deep dive into arts and lifestyle events

With a stunning skyline, Dubai is an architectural marvel, but there is more to the concrete jungle than what meets the eye, as it is also home to a thriving art scene. 

For example, Al Serkal Avenue is a dedicated district to art and is an excellent platform for fledgling artists to showcase their work and is truly a must-visit site for tourists. Similarly, art fair Art Dubai is set to be held in March 2023 – a must-visit event that showcases brilliant pieces of art.

Breathtaking acts like the touring circus Ovo by Cirque du Soleil are quintessential Dubai events that you can also add to your to-do list. Marvel at captivating acts by trained artists in elaborate costumes who will perform at the Coca-Cola Arena from 12 to 16 January. 

You can catch a play and enjoy live productions such as West Side Story at the iconic Dubai Opera from 25 to 30 April. 

You can also visit some of the finest museums in Dubai, including the newly opened Museum of the Future, an architectural marvel in every sense. 

Finally, visit Old Dubai to explore the age-old souks and be transported to a bygone era. 

Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, music lover, or art aficionado, your travel goals will be at your fingertips in Dubai. And here’s the best part: they are all a short flight away.