Culture, cuisine and creativity took centre stage, as fact experienced three sensational days of Gahwa Beats, part of a new line-up of Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 activations.

“When we landed in Dubai at noon, the stage was set for a weekend of easy leisure, plenty of laughter and a dash of the unexpected.”

There’s something exhilarating about boarding a Gulf Air flight on a Friday morning with the promise of a Dubai summer adventure ahead. In just over an hour, we swapped the familiar setting of Bahrain for the glittering skyline of the UAE. When we landed at DXB at noon, the stage was set for a weekend of easy leisure, plenty of laughter and a dash of the unexpected.

Home Base: Address Downtown

Our stay began at Address Downtown and let’s just say – if you’re going to call anywhere ‘home’ in Dubai, this is the place. Checking in felt like slipping into a story where every detail had already been written for our comfort. With its sweeping views including the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall literally at our doorstep, convenience was built in. The rooms are everything we expected of a city that doesn’t do anything halfway: floor-to-ceiling windows, spa-style bathrooms and even in-room iPads. A great way to start any adventure.

Gahwa Beats at Sky Views

The next day kicked off with a strong shot of culture (and coffee). Gahwa Beats, part of the Dubai Summer Surprises line-up, took over the Sky Views Observatory. Picture this: music pumping from live DJs, an infectious energy filling the glass skywalk and the city spread out beneath us like a glittering carpet. It wasn’t merely a pop-up event; it was a fully immersive experience we won’t soon forget.

Lunch at Kumo

From sky-high views, we dropped into serenity at Kumo, a Japanese-inspired restaurant designed to feel like a Kyoto family home. Minimalist wood interiors, soft lighting and the kind of calm that made us want to whisper over our sushi. The matcha bar was a highlight, though we may have spent a bit too long entranced by the server’s origami folding, while waiting for our mouthwatering sashimi.

A Dash of Shopping: Mall of the Emirates

Dubai without shopping? That’s like summer without ice cream – simply unthinkable. Our afternoon stroll through the Mall of the Emirates was less about necessity and more about indulging the ‘what ifs’. What if we need new pairs of shoes? What if we couldn’t live without those bags? The mall, of course, had answers to those questions, all ending in a purchase.

Burgers with a View: GOAT Burger

Dinner that evening was a sharp turn from zen tranquillity to juicy indulgence at GOAT Burger. This place serves up some of the juiciest burgers in town, with the d3 District unfolding in full view behind us. Between bites, we debated whether the sandos or the classic burger were better – a debate we’ll gladly continue over our next visit.

Wild Paint House: Art with No Rules

Sunday morning brought us to Wild Paint House, where art isn’t about skill, it’s about joy. Paint splatters, neon drips and even a chance to swing a brush while literally swinging – this was art therapy with a Dubai twist. We came away with canvases that looked like Jackson Pollok originals… or perhaps they fitted better into the ‘abstract fridge art’ category. Either way, it was unforgettable fun.

Lunch at Cassette

Our next stop was Cassette, a homegrown bistro in Al Quoz with Parisian roots. Between vinyl records, nostalgic décor and dishes that mix French flair with international creativity, it was the kind of lunch spot where we could have lingered for hours. If you’ve ever wanted to eat in a place that feels like an artsy loft, this is it.

Active Games: From Karts to Titanic

That afternoon was reserved for something truly unique – Active Games. Imagine a mash-up of gaming and real life, where the screen dissolves and you’re suddenly inside the action. We raced at Chaos Karts, dodged glowing ghosts in a real-life Pac-Man maze and even stepped aboard the Titanic, complete with eerily accurate details. It was equal parts exhilarating and surreal and definitely the kind of experience you can only find in Dubai.  

Dinner at Mama Shelter

We ended the evening at Mama Shelter; the city’s newest lifestyle destination that’s as much about community as it is about cuisine. At the in-house Mama Trattoria, we enjoyed the kind of Neapolitan pizzas that tied the whole day together – comforting, authentic and utterly satisfying. The restaurant’s energy was infectious – foosball tables, DJ sets and an overall vibe that made it feel like everyone was part of one big family gathering.

A Fond Farewell

By Monday afternoon, it was time to pack up, check out and board our flight back home. As the world-famous skyline disappeared from view, one thing was clear: Dubai knows how to throw a summer festival for the whole family like no other.

So, whether you’re craving adventure, shopping, art or just a really good burger, Dubai Summer Surprises transforms the season into a showcase of culture, cuisine and unforgettable experiences. Trust us – you’ll come back with more stories (and shopping bags) than you planned.

GO: VISIT VISITDUBAI.COM/EN/FESTIVALS-AND-EVENTS/DSS FOR MORE INFORMATION.