I get it, it’s summer and stepping outside isn’t really high on the list. But, hear me out, I’m about to give you a reason to fling open the door, slap on some SPF like your skin depends on it (duh, it does right?), and saunter out with a paper umbrella in your drink and mild optimism in your heart. Because Dubai, in all its glittery wisdom, has gone and dotted itself with the most adorable, quirky, and totally irresistible summer pop-ups. From mango-matcha softies to skincare drinks (yes, your serum now comes with ice), this is your cheat sheet to feeling like you’ve gone on holiday without the inconvenience of actually going anywhere. So, shall we begin or…shall we begin?
Also read: You Know It’s Summer When…Dubai Residents Edition
Salt Beach House Pop-Up at Kite Beach
It’s not summer in Dubai unless Salt does something swoon-worthy. This time, they’ve gone all out and set up a dreamy beach house summer pop-up at Kite Beach. Entry’s free (yay), parking is a bit of a weekday drama (boo), but weekends? Free parking, my dear readers. Expect a sun-kissed new menu with things like matcha & mango softies (yes, please), free games for the little humans. Oh yes, ping pong, coloring, tiny soccer mayhem and slow swings that practically demand an Instagram Boomerang.
BKRY Summer Pop-Up at the Museum of the Future
Imagine you’re surrounded by flying robots and AI-powered exhibits and suddenly, the smell of fresh croissants hits you like a Parisian dream. That’s BKRY’s summer pop-up for you. Perched prettily on the 7th floor of the Museum of the Future, this limited-time pop-up launches on Friday, July 11 and it’s all about buttery pastries, specialty coffee, and views that feel vaguely like you’re in a Netflix sci-fi romance. BKRY, for the uninitiated, is the fancy bakery your food-obsessed friend won’t shut up about. Well, now you’ll see why.
Vaseline x Knot Bakehouse Summer Pop-Up
Trust me, it CANNOT get more Dubai-er than this! From July 11 to 13 (yep, just this weekend!) Vaseline Arabia is teaming up with Knot Bakehouse (Al Athar Street, Jumeirah) for a pop-up that combines skincare and café culture. Inspired by their Gluta-Hya Day and Night range (glow, hydration, SPF, the works), the cafe is serving up two limited-edition matcha drinks that promise antioxidant goodness and radiance-from-within vibes. It’s like a facial, but you drink it. And let’s be honest, if any pop-up was going to convince us to hydrate and glow up from the inside out, it’s this one. Oh, and it’s on from 5pm to 8pm, in case you were wondering.
Also read: Dubai Heat Got You Drenched? These Summer Finds Are Your Dubai Heat Wave Survival Kit!
Modesh Splash Park
Brace yourself, parents! This one’s practically a kiddo paradise. From July 1 to August 31, Modhesh World has unveiled a mega Splash Park with six themed zones that are pure, unfiltered chaos (in the best way). There’s Little Lagoon for the under-fives (cute), Splash & Bounce for tweens and teens who think they’re too cool for water play (they’re not), and Challenge Games for competitive types who will not leave until they’ve won. Entry is free, but game time is paid in 2-hour slots, so plan accordingly. Or just give in and let the kids live their best summer lives while you lurk near the snack zone with a lemonade.
Tortuga Pop-Up at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
Tortuga is back, peeps, and not a moment too soon. This cult Mexican gem has popped up for summer at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, settling in at Hanaaya with sizzling fajitas, crispy Baja fish tacos, and chimichangas that might just make you cry. It’s open daily for lunch and dinner, but Tuesdays are your golden ticket: unlimited tacos for AED 150, or AED 250 if you’re in a margarita mood (we see you). It’s loud, it’s spicy, and it’s the sort of place where the salsa is almost as hot as the gossip.
Art Meets Craft at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown
Anemones in Volcanic Rock is not your average gallery show; it’s a textile daydream brought to life by Portuguese artist Marita Setas Ferro. Presented in collaboration with Double J Art Gallery, this solo exhibition takes over the ground floor of Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, transforming yarn and thread into sculptural statements. Think crocheted coral reefs, knitted textures that mimic volcanic rock, and a dramatic hexagram centrepiece exploring earth, air, fire, and water through colour and movement. Tactile, immersive, and quietly powerful – this is slow art with soul. This pop-up will be around until Sep!
Miu Miu’s Desert Dream Pop-Up
Tucked inside a candlelit Emirati-style villa in Jumeirah, this is not just a shop – it’s a fashion fantasy. The Miu Miu Desert Dream Pop-Up in Villa 515, Jumeirah is where opulence meets oasis, with limited-edition pieces created exclusively for the UAE. Expect plush velvet kaftans, sun-splashed metallics, and the kind of wardrobe finds that demand their own spotlight. Add personal styling over Arabic coffee, luxe lounge-style fitting rooms, and curated vibes that scream “private fashion escape” – and you’ve got a pop-up worth cancelling plans for. Hurry, it’s only until the end of July!
Summer Coolness at Voyage Club, Mirdif
Say hello to the coolest collab of the season: @findsalt x @cremelondonuae have joined forces at Voyage Club in City Centre Mirdif, and it’s as sweet as it sounds. From summer sips to frozen delights, this breezy pop-up is all about feel-good flavours and chilled-out vibes. Whether you’re escaping the heat or just chasing that post-shopping treat, it’s your go-to stop for edible happiness.
So while the rest of the world is booking flights and losing luggage, you can stay right here and bounce between tacos, beach swings, and skincare-inspired beverages. All without battling passport control or pretending to enjoy a 4am airport muffin. These Dubai pop-ups may not come with a boarding pass, but they will offer you glowing skin, happy kids, and possibly a mango softie-induced existential awakening. And if that’s not peak summer, I don’t know what is. Just don’t forget to take a thousand pictures, post exactly four of them, and pretend the rest of the season was spent doing yoga and reading Murakami.
Because like everything else in life, it’s all about the aesthetic, baby!
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