Whether you’re chasing the sun or the dazzling city lights on your holidays to Dubai, this bustling city has a little something for every taste. There's a calendar full of great events you can go to that'll have you soaking up the culture and livin' la vida local. Here are some of our faves...

• Dubai Shopping Festival (January/February) - Starting the year with a bang. From January through February, the city turns into a mahoosive open-air market with mega sales, live concerts, and fireworks. It’s the perfect excuse to grab some boujee bargains!

• Dubai Jazz Festival (February) - Get ready to jazz it up! Held in February, this festival brings some of the biggest names in jazz (and beyond) to Dubai’s stage. It’s chill, it’s thrilling, and it's utterly enchanting—a must for music buffs.

• Dubai Food Festival (February/March) - Foodies, assemble! Typically held in February or March, this festival is where you can treat your tastebuds. It’s a showcase of the city’s cosmopolitan dining scene where you can indulge in everything from street food sizzlers to swanky gourmet dishes.

• Art Dubai (March) - Art Dubai offers a peek into the region’s vibrant art scene. It's a cultural bonanza that attracts artists, collectors, and art lovers from around the globe.

• Al Marmoom Heritage Festival (April) - here us out, camel racing... sounds wild, and we reckon it's deffo not one to miss, a celebration of Emirati culture bursting at the seams with heritage activities and local crafts, oh and racing, but that's a given.

• Middle East Film & Comic Con (April) - pop culture meets the UAE with celebrity appearances, a tonne of cosplaying and the pure, unfiltered joy of all things, comics, films and games.

• Dubai Summer Surprises (July - September) - Think of this as the summer sibling of the Dubai Shopping Festival, running from July to September. Expect cool deals, fun for the kiddos, and entertainment that turns the summer heat into a sizzling celebration.

• Dubai Design Week (October) - the clues in the name, but, plot twist, there's more to this event than meets the eye, with a focus on creativity in all it's forms from installations and exhibitions to workshops spread across different artistic expressions - it's a good day to be creatively inclined with this one!

• Diwali Celebrations (November) - the Hindu festival of lights is a gorge spectacle to behold with fireworks, events and festive decorations spread throughout different parts of the city - a day for celebrating culture in all it's technicolour glory.

• UAE National Day (December) - the 2nd December marks the founding of the UAE, so this ones a biggie for your winter sun holiday to Dubai - expect fireworks, parades, concerts and a whole lotta culture booming across the cityscape.

With nightclubs that attract internationally successful DJs and musicians, Dubai more than earns its reputation as an upmarket party destination. Here, the working week finishes on Thursday, making this and Friday the hottest nights to go out. Typically, mid-week Ladies Nights offer free entry and free drinks to female visitors, so you can out-party Cinderella and stay out past midnight – clubs don’t close until 03:00. Here are some of our faves to hit-up on your Dubai holidays, whether you’re after a chic cocktail, a banging beat, or just a swanky place to mingle:

• WHITE Dubai - Perched on the Meydan Racecourse rooftop, WHITE is famed for its incredible outdoor atmosphere and panoramic views of Dubai and is known for hosting some of the hottest music acts.

• Cavalli Club - Inspired by fashion icon Roberto Cavalli, this club is as glamorous as it gets. With crystal chandeliers, opulent decor, and a crowd dressed to the nines, it’s where you go to sip designer cocktails and have a bit of a groove.

• Soho Garden - A mega-complex that offers a bit of everything, from chill vibes early in the evening to thumping beats as the night progresses. With multiple bars and stages, Soho Garden captures the essence of Dubai’s dynamic and diverse nightlife.

• BASE Dubai - Sat in the Design District, you already know this place is all about the bouj and all about the glam, it's an open-air superclub with DJ sets, a booming sound system and lux feel VIP experience, playing everything from all your fave chart bangers to EDM and hip-hop classics.

• Armani/Privé - Located in the iconic Burj Khalifa, Armani/Privé oozes sophistication and class. It’s a sleek, (super-graphic) ultra-modern club where you can expect fantastic music, an electrifying atmosphere, and a very stylish crowd. If you're looking to party in luxury, this is the place.

• BOA Lounge & Club - Situated on the 32nd floor with sweeping views of the city, BOA offers a luxurious lounge experience by day and a vibrant club scene by night. The ambiance here is just right for a night of elegance and excitement.

• Barasti Beach Bar - For a more laid-back night with a side of sea breeze, Barasti is a popular choice. Known for its casual, friendly atmosphere, it’s perfect for those who want to crack open a cold one with the boys by the beach.

Dubai's food and drink scene is low-key iconic, with some delish dishes to try at some pretty swanky restaurants. We're in the know of what to eat and where to eat (of course), so we've pulled together some of our faves to get you eating good on your holidays to Dubai:

• Shawarma - No visit to Dubai is complete without biting into a juicy, flavourful shawarma. This Middle Eastern staple is made of thinly sliced meats, wrapped in a soft pita with veggies and sauce. Try it at Al Mallah on Dhiyafa Street for a proper good, authentic taste.

• Al Machboos - Dive into the heart of Emirati cuisine with Al Machboos, a rich, aromatic dish of rice, meat (usually chicken or lamb), onions, and a mix of spices. Al Fanar Restaurant is the place to go if you want to experience this traditional delight in a vintage Dubai setting.

• Manakish - This is like the Middle Eastern version of pizza, topped with herbs, cheeses, or minced meats. Grab a hot, fresh manakish for breakfast or a quick snack at Al Reef Lebanese Bakery for a truly authentic taste.

• Falafel - These deep-fried chickpea balls are a popular vegetarian treat, often served in a pita with salad and tahini sauce. Operation: Falafel is a great spot to indulge in these crispy delights.

• Fattoush - To add a bit of green to your meals, Fattoush, a Levantine bread salad made with mixed greens, fresh veggies, and crispy pieces of pita, is both refreshing and light. Try it at Zaatar w Zeit; it’s delish!

And here are our fave restaurant recs too, don't say we never do anything for ya:

• Pierchic - Perched on a pier overlooking the Arabian Gulf, Pierchic offers a dining experience that's proper luxe. Known for its sophisticated seafood dishes, this spot is perfect for a special occasion on your Dubai holidays.

• Al Hadheerah - For a taste of the traditional, head to Al Hadheerah in the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort. This outdoor restaurant transports you to an Arabian fantasy with live cooking stations, falconry displays, and horse shows alongside authentic Emirati cuisine.

• Nobu - Located in Atlantis, The Palm, Nobu infuses traditional Japanese cuisine with Peruvian ingredients, courtesy of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa. It’s a global powerhouse of flavours and one of the city’s most iconic dining spots.

• Zuma - In the heart of Dubai’s Financial District, Zuma delivers contemporary Japanese izakaya dining where dishes are brought to the table continuously throughout the meal. The chic ambience and consistently top-notch food make Zuma a favourite among foodies and trendsetters alike.

• La Petite Maison - Bringing French-Mediterranean cuisine to the fore, La Petite Maison in DIFC is all about fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple yet divine dishes. It’s vibrant, it’s chic, and it’s buzzing with energy, embodying the spirit of the French Riviera and bringing it to your table on your holidays to Dubai.

• Bubbalicious Brunch at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi - We thought we'd do you one better and give you brunch fanatics a lil lovin' too, and this spot does not disappoint with an international buffet crammed full of everything you crave from a mid-morning nibble and maybe more you've never thought to bag like seafood and sushi!