Welcome listeners to Things to do in Dubai with your globe-trotting sports nut, Oly Bennett. It’s Saturday, December 13, 2025, and Dubai is in peak winter-glow mode: warm sunny days, cooler evenings, and the kind of golden light that makes every selfie look suspiciously like a vacation ad.The city’s vibe today is pure festive adrenaline. The Dubai Shopping Festival is in full swing across the city, with Visit Dubai highlighting mega sales, concerts, raffles, fireworks, and pop-up experiences from now until January 11 as the emirate turns into one giant playground for shoppers and thrill-seekers. Arab News reports that this 31st edition kicked off with star-studded concerts and citywide celebrations, so expect packed malls, late-night fireworks, and traffic with extra sparkle, if not extra speed.If you’re hunting for events today, Gulf News has a stacked lineup for this Dec 12–14 weekend. Culture and street-style lovers, Sole DXB is taking over Dubai Design District with music, fashion, art, and street food, featuring international artists and exclusive sneaker and streetwear drops. Over at Burj Park, Japan Culture Con Season Two is serving up ramen, Taiko drummers, samurai shows, anime merch, and mochi-pounding magic for a full Japan-meets-Dubai experience. Families can head to Expo City’s Nature and Wonders-style outdoor activations, with Terra Gardens turning into an exploration zone for kids to learn about native plants while parents soak up the winter sun. Foodies, the Waterfront Market’s Seafood Festival is rolling with live entertainment, over 260 varieties of seafood, and the chance to pick your catch and have it cooked on the spot. And if you just want chill vibes, City Walk is hosting live bands, roaming performers, and twinkling décor for an easy festive stroll.On the entertainment front, Platinumlist is spotlighting a very quirky winter on the QE2 and Jumeirah Beach, including murder mystery dinner shows like All That Glitters and Dinner With A Clue, family pantomimes such as Cinderella and Sinbad the Sailor, plus tribute nights to Elton John and ABBA for those who prefer their nostalgia with sequins and singalong choruses.For city updates, Visit Dubai notes that many DSF events are clustered around major malls and lifestyle districts, so plan extra time on public transit and consider using the Dubai Metro to reach hotspots like Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City Mall, and Expo City to dodge the worst of the traffic. Dubai Festival City Mall is also hosting DSF Nights with Saturday concerts featuring major Arab artists, according to the Dubai events calendar, adding another reason to stay out after dark.Now, Oly’s playbook for today: start with a morning stroll or jog along Kite Beach, where Gulf News mentions Joe & the Juice is running a beach pop-up this weekend with kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and even a round of the quirky Finnish throwing game Mölkky. Then swing by the Waterfront Market’s Seafood Festival for a late lunch, before diving into afternoon culture at Japan Culture Con or Sole DXB. Cap the night off with a murder mystery dinner on the QE2 or a DSF concert and fireworks blast.Local tip: Dubai’s winter evenings can feel surprisingly cool by the water, especially around Expo City, Jumeirah Beach, and Dubai Creek, so bring a light layer even if the afternoon feels toasty. And if you’re hopping events, grab an NOL card and pair Metro plus short taxi rides for a faster, cheaper way to zigzag across the city like a seasoned local.Tomorrow, expect the DSF buzz, Sole DXB, and Burj Park’s Japan Culture Con to keep the energy high, with more concerts, workshops, and family fun queued up. Tune in next time as we scout fresh Dubai adventures, from desert thrills to waterfront festivals, all through the curious, sports-obsessed eyes of Oly Bennett.Thanks for listening, please subscribe, and remember—this episode was brought to you by Quiet Please podcast networks. For more content like this, please go to Quiet Please dot Ai.For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/and make sure to jump on these great deals https://amzn.to/3V0gjPtFor more on Oly check out https://www.instagram.com/olybennet/This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI