“From two artisan markets and a sub-zero ice lounge to woodworking benches, robotics galleries, and shelves of pre-loved books, Times Square Center packs a whole weekend of discovery under one roof”
The weekend is here, and so is the question every family struggles with: “What are we doing this weekend?” Times Square Center has many answers. Set along Sheikh Zayed Road, the community-favorite destination is lining up a Saturday and Sunday for everyone. With ARTE—The Maker’s Market on Saturday and The Ripe Market on Sunday, here are all the reasons why you should be in Times Square Center this weekend.
1. Find a One-of-a-Kind Piece at ARTE – The Maker’s Market
Skip the mass-produced and meet the people behind the product. On Saturday, ARTE – The Maker’s Market turns Times Square Center into a hub of creativity and craftsmanship, with local artisans showcasing pieces made by hand and with heart. It’s the place to find a gift with a story, a statement piece for your home, or a little something just for you, and to chat with the maker while you’re at it.
When: Saturday, 26 September, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Free entry.
2. Make Sunday a Market Day at The Ripe Market
The fun doesn’t stop on Saturday. On Sunday, The Ripe Market, everyone’s favourite market, takes over with handpicked merchants offering everything from fresh local produce to handmade fashion, art, homeware, and jewellery. Grab a coffee, take your time wandering the stalls, and support homegrown businesses along the way. Slow Sunday, sorted.
When: Sunday, 27 September, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Free entry.
3. Go on an Adventure at Adventure Zone by Adventure HQ
Some kids measure a good weekend in energy levels, and for them there’s Adventure Zone by Adventure HQ. This safe indoor adventure facility is built for running, jumping, and climbing, delivering all the thrill of the great outdoors without the Dubai heat. Expect tired, happy children on the drive home.
4. Chill Out at Minus Six Degrees
Here’s something you don’t hear often in Dubai: it’s freezing in here. Chillout Ice Lounge, the Middle East’s first ice lounge, has been welcoming guests at Times Square Center since 2007, and it still delivers the wow factor. Step into a glowing world of ice sculptures, frozen seating, and illuminated interiors kept at a crisp minus six degrees, then step back into the warmth with a story to tell and a camera roll to prove it.
5. Build Something With Your Own Hands at StuDIYo Lab
Swap the screen for a workbench. StuDIYo Lab gives children real, child-friendly tools and expert guidance to design, build, and personalise their own woodworking creations, from pencil holders and name signs to catapults. The best part? Everyone goes home with something they made themselves.
6. Unleash Your Inner Artist at Picasso Artists
No experience needed, just a willingness to get a little messy. At Picasso Artists, professional instructors guide young artists through fluid art, paint pouring, pendulum art, drip art, and mixed-media techniques. It’s screen-free, gloriously colourful and ends with a canvas worth hanging on the wall.
7. Explore the World of Robots at RoboLand
Where play meets discovery. RoboLand’s interactive galleries invite families to explore and experiment together, while its STEM and robotics workshops give curious minds the chance to see how things really work. It’s the kind of fun that has kids asking “why?” long after you’ve left.
8. Discover Your Next Favourite Book at House of Prose
Book lovers, this one’s for you. House of Prose is a treasure trove of pre-loved books, where every shelf holds the chance of stumbling on a forgotten classic or a brand-new favourite. Make a morning of it: pick up a read, settle in with a coffee at The Coffee Club, and lose yourself in the first chapter.
9. Shop With Purpose at Thrift for Good
Treasure hunting with a feel-good twist. Thrift for Good is stocked with thousands of unique pre-loved fashion pieces, accessories, books, and more, and every purchase gives quality items a second life, reduces textile waste and supports children’s charity projects. Clearing out your wardrobe? Bring your pre-loved pieces along to the donation point inside the store.
10. Eat Well (and Save Room for a Treat)
All that adventuring deserves a refuel. The Juice Lab serves up freshly crafted drinks made with wellness in mind, while Hola Zero Sugar Café with its beautiful decoration and fresh pink color proves that a sweet break doesn’t have to come with the sugar and gives you the perfect setup for an Insta-worthy shot. And if the weekend calls for a little indulgence, CrACKLES, the Dubai-born gourmet rice crispy treat brand, is blending handcrafted milkshakes in-store, made to order.
Whether you’re planning a full family day out or just a couple of hours of something different, Times Square Center is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz, with plenty of ways to make this weekend one to remember.
For more information on Times Square Center, visit www.timessquarecenter.ae or follow @timessquaredxb on Instagram.
