It’s a new year, the NYE hype fades faster than expected, everyone’s back at work, and resolution-fuelled routines are officially in full force. Calendars are filling up, alarms are back on, and reality is setting in. But in the middle of all that hustle, it’s worth remembering to make time for the people, places, and experiences that actually shape the year, the ones that end up in your camera roll and, eventually, your year-end recap. These are our top picks for starting the year the right way.
Central Cee Takeover at Bohemia Beach Club
Bohemia Beach Club is in its main-character era as Central Cee takes over FIVE Palm Jumeirah. Known for his slick bars and effortlessly cool Hip-Hop and R&B sound, the London-born rapper is serving a hit-packed set featuring Doja, Sprinter, LET GO and Commitment Issues. Fully a sing-along situation.
When: Friday, January 30, from 8PM
Where: Bohemia Beach Club, FIVE Palm Jumeirah
Price: Dance Floor: Dhs300 VIP: Dhs600 onwards (fully redeemable) Backstage Dancing VIP: Dhs800 (includes 8 premium drinks)
Anime Pop Up at WAFI City
What is an anime fan if you don’t have the merch to show for it? The Experience 11 Anime Pop-Up at WAFI City is officially in its final month, making this your last chance to shop exclusive, officially licensed collectibles before it disappears on January 31. Everything from, premium figures, cult-fave titles like Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Kaiju No. 8, plus a daily mystery-bag giveaway. There’s even a “Beat the Clock” game with shopping vouchers up for grabs.
When: Until January 31
Where: The Experience 11 Anime Pop-Up at WAFI City
Make some new friends on February 30
At February 30, dogs aren’t an afterthought; they’re the main guests. For over three years, the laid-back beachfront spot has partnered with Stray Dogs Center UAE, using its sun-soaked platform to turn casual beach days into life-changing moments for rescue pups.
This January, they’re inviting dog lovers, would-be pet parents, and curious passersby to an Adoption & Foster Day on the 25th. You’ll be surrounded by wagging tails, wholesome energy, and a chance to meet February 30’s very own mascot, a super cute rescue who went from stray to star. Who knows? You might just leave with a new best friend.
When: Sunday, January 25, from 3–6 PM
Where: February 30, Palm West Beach, Dubai
RSVP on +971 4 244 7200 and +971 58 1400 465 or on WhatsApp +971 58 1400 465
Coffee on the house at Hoof
Hoof is celebrating eight years in the UAE the right way: coffee is on the house. On Saturday, January 31, every Hoof location across the country will be serving complimentary brews all day, as a thank-you to the community that’s been part of its journey.
And if you want to test your luck? The eighth customer at each participating café scores a year of free coffee, but even if you don’t snag the golden spot, you can still be sipping on expertly made Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Cortado, Spanish Latte and more, all crafted with Hoof’s signature specialty-grade beans all on the hoof tab.
When: Saturday, January 31
Where: Hoof cafés across the UAE
Get more details on their IG @hoof.cafe!
Wellbeing Retreat at Banyan Tree Dubai
We’ve all been at that point where you’re sitting in front of your computer at work, but nothing is getting ticked off the to-do list. If that sounds like you- then what you’re in need of is a reset- and we have the perfect solution- the Samadhi Day Retreat at Banyan Tree Dubai. The one day retreat is an immersive wellness experience that begins with a 60 min Vinyasa Flow and ice bath, followed by a breakfast that feeds both body and soul and a full day access to the resorts pool and beach for you to quite literally, dissolve away all your stress, before a breath work and sound healing session by the beach.
When: January 31, 2026, 8:30 AM
Price: Inclusive of breakfast at Tocha, pool and beach access and 20% off on F&B
Book your spot at banyantree.com.
San Sebastián Day at the Jara
The Spanish have given us many fine things: tapas, Spanish lattes, and the sacred art of the siesta. And this January, Jara by Martín Berasategui at The Lana, Dorchester Collection is adding another to the list. To mark San Sebastián Day, the restaurant is hosting a one-night-only Basque gastronomic celebration, spotlighting the soulful flavours of Donostia through a curated tasting menu. With rare ingredients cooked with regional accuracy, Jara is stepping into its role as a modern ambassador of Basque cuisine in the region.
Menu highlights include Berasategui’s Gilda reimagined with marinated red tuna, foie-gras mille-feuille, San Sebastián fish soup with spider crab, and a show-stopping txuleta with piquillo peppers and Basque chimichurri.
When: Tuesday, 20 January 2026 (one night only)
Where: Jara by Martín Berasategui, The Lana, Dorchester Collection
Price: Dhs950 per person
For reservations, email [email protected] or call+971 4 541 7755
Sony’s Alpha Femme workshop is in town
Sony Alpha Femme makes its UAE debut this January, championing women across photography, videography and content creation. This female-forward initiative launches on 17 January with an evening panel bringing together leading regional creators to talk all things creativity, strategy and building sustainable careers in today’s content-driven world.
Later in the month, it continues with a hands-on workshop on 25 January, offering practical learning, mentorship, and community-building for creators at all levels—skills, insight, and serious creative inspiration, all in one place.
When: 17 January (launch panel) & 25 January (workshop)
Where: The panel takes place at Blue Doors by Delano, Bluewaters Island and the workshop on Garage Studio, Dubai
Price: Free (registration is required)
Get fit with FemFit
If your New Year fitness resolutions need a bit of a mid-month pick me up, you’ve come to the right place. FemFit by Viya Fit is a 12-week, women-led training programme designed around the realities of the female body, supporting everything from hormonal balance and PCOS to postpartum recovery and perimenopause. With small-group sessions that mix strength, cardio, mobility and recovery, the programme focuses on wellness education and personalised check-ins. Led by Coach Nicole, a Level 3 Personal Trainer and certified Nutritionist specialising in female wellness, FemFit is the one to bookmark.
Registration is now open for FemFit at Viya Fit Mina Seyahi. Membership and programme details are available at the Viya App.
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15 PM
Where: Viya Fit, Mina Seyahi
Eat What You Watch
Popcorn and ice cream might cut it for an average movie night, but at Riviera’s Cinema Club, average is the last thing on the menu. The Lana is ushering in the new year with seven additional movie nights, running from January to April, taking place on the terrace turned open-air cinema overlooking the Marasi Bay Marina, Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa.
The series opens with Interstellar and guests can watch the Oscar-winning film while enjoying a curated menu featuring food inspired by the movie. On the series are Ratatouille, Jurassic Park, Pretty Woman, Top Gun Maverick, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Godfather.
Where: Riviera Terrace, located at The Lana, Dorchester Collection
When: January 22nd – April 3rd 2026 on selective dates, starts at 6:30 pm
Price: Dhs650 per person, inclusive of one glass of Champagne on arrival.
Book ahead here.
Sharjah Literature Fest
As January sets the tone for a more thoughtful year, the Sharjah International Literary Festival makes a compelling case for starting slow and purposeful. Returning for a second edition, the theme for this year is “A Community Woven Through Tales.” Over the course of a week of talks, poetry evenings, performances, and cultural programming, including calligraphy and storytelling workshops, the festival brings together leading authors, creatives, and thinkers from the region and abroad.
When: 5–11 January 2026
Where: University City Hall, Sharjah
Find more details on their website.
Pawfect Stay on the Palm
Your staycation just got pawsitively better. Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah is now welcoming pets, making it one of the few premium resorts in the UAE where your furry plus-one is invited too. Pet-friendly Palm Seaview Rooms with Terrace come stocked with VIP treatment for both you and your pet, think welcome treats in the mini fridge, beds, bowls, walking maps, and even dedicated pet menus at Myami and Bal Harbour Beach. Add shaded outdoor dining, access to the Palm West Beach Promenade (a dog-walking favourite), and collaborations with local pet brands, and you’ve got a January escape the whole pack can enjoy.
When: Throughout January
Where: Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Price: Room rate + Dhs300 per night (pet fee)
To book, visit www.marriottresortpalmjumeirah.com, or email [email protected], or call 971 4 666 1111.
Reel Palestine returns
A highlight on the region’s cultural calendar, Reel Palestine is back for its 12th edition this January, bringing powerful Palestinian cinema, storytelling, and community together under one roof. Expect film screenings, conversations, and a buzzing souk celebrating art, resistance, and creativity. Full programme details are still to come, but this is one to mark down early.
When: January 23 – February 1, 2026
Where: Al Serkal Avenue
Watch this space for more details.
The Dubai Chocolate Pop-Up
FIX Dessert Chocolatier, the names behind the OG Dubai Chocolate, are starting the new year with a mystery announcement. Taking over the Museum of the Future, the experience promises interactive moments, surprise drops, and plenty of flair. Whether you’re there for the sweets or the speculation, a potential new flavour, or just for conversation about the future that doesn't involve Elon Musk, this is where you want to be
Date: Friday, January 2, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Museum of the Future
Follow them on @fixdessertchocolatier for more details.
Sunday lunch at Bar des Prés
Lazy Sundays have their place, just not at Bar des Prés. Set on the 51st floor of ICD Brookfield Place, the experience pairs sweeping city views with Chef Cyril Lignac’s refined Franco–East Asian menu, served in a relaxed, sharing-forward style. From raw and marinated starters to indulgent desserts and DJ-led afternoons, it’s a reminder that Sundays don’t have to be slow; they can be stylish, too.
When: Every Sunday, 12pm–3pm
Where: Bar des Prés, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC
For reservations, call or email +971 4 498 1616 or [email protected]
Aïda Muluneh at Efie Gallery
Efie Gallery opens the year with a powerful new body of work by Ethiopian artist Aïda Muluneh. Featuring previously unseen photographs, the exhibition continues her exploration of colour, symbolism, and identity through meticulously staged compositions. Drawing from African iconography, architecture, and textiles, Muluneh’s images blur the lines between photography and performance, offering a visually arresting, quietly political experience that rewards time and attention.
When: 17 January – 5 April 202 6, Monday – Saturday, 11am -7pm
Where: Efie Gallery, Warehouse 61, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz Industrial, Dubai, UAE
Reset with Privilee's Wellness Edit
January is the perfect moment to reset, without the pressure. As extremes fall out of favour, wellness in the UAE is shifting towards balance, routines that feel good, and habits that actually last. Think movement mixed with rest, pool days alongside workouts, and wellness that fits around real life. Privilee’s Wellness Edit is designed to kickstart your January in an easy, sustainable way. The three-month membership offers access to gyms, boutique studios, resort pools, beaches, and recovery spaces across the UAE, ideal for easing into a routine you’ll want to keep.
What: The Wellness Edit by Privilee
Details: Three-month membership, Dhs1,999
Where: Across gyms, studios, pools, and beach clubs in the UAE
When: Available for a limited time here.
Spartan Middle East at Dubai Parks
Spartan Middle East is heading back to Dubai Parks and Resorts this January for a full-throttle day of obstacle course racing, and it’s bigger and muddier than ever. After drawing over 6,000 racers and spectators at its inaugural Trifecta Weekend, the venue is once again, opening up to racers of all levels. Expect Sprint and Super races packed with obstacles, and for when you’re hungry after, there is a buzzing festival village with DJs, food trucks and family-friendly fun. And here’s a bonus, Cosmopolitan readers score 20% off their tickets, with code COSMO20.
When: January 24, 2026
Where: Dubai Parks and Resorts
Get your ticket at arabia.spartan.com
UAE President’s Cup Showjumping Event
Abu Dhabi is going full gallop this January as the CSI5 UAE President’s Cup Showjumping Event rides into town. Bringing together the world’s best showjumping talent to compete for a record-breaking Dhs3.24 million prize pool, this five-day spectacle is as much a lifestyle affair as it is a sport.
Set within the iconic 54-acre Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, it’s an easy win for a day out with friends or family. Whether you’re horse-obsessed or just looking for a standout January plan, the UAE President’s Cup Showjumping Event deserves a spot on your calendar.
When: 7-11 January 2026
Where: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, International Arena - Abu Dhabi, UAE
Price: Free for General Admission
Horsemen’s Lounge Day Passes and Table Packages are available via Platinumlist.
Afternoon tea at Zenon Dubai
Served daily from 3 PM to 6 PM in Zenon's gorgeous Grecian interiors, Athenian Afternoons is giving sophisticated afternoon tea with a serious Mediterranean glow-up. Kick things off with elevated savoury bites like Smoked Salmon on Rye with Lemon Crème Fraîche and mini brioches stuffed with Lobster or Avocado & Truffle (yes, truffle), then vibe with warm Plain and Raisin Scones served with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Jam. The grand finale? An absolutely dreamy spread of handcrafted desserts including Red Velvet Sponge Slice, Matcha Macaron, Paris-Brest with Caramel Cream, and more — pure patisserie perfection. At Dhs280 for two with tea and coffee, or Dhs380 if you're feeling bubbly with sparkling options, this is the ultimate treat-yourself moment that pairs beautifully with premium teas like Organic Chamomile Blossom and Majestic Earl Grey.
When: Daily, 3 PM – 6 PM
Where: Zenon Dubai, Kempinski Central Avenue, Ground Level, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai
Happy New Year bestie. Here is a refresher on ultimate 2025 pop culture moment recap.