Top 3 Headlines
Things are getting strange on Yas Island
Stranger Things: The Experience is landing on Yas Island Abu Dhabi on 14 November, bringing the eerie charm of Hawkins, Indiana, to the Middle East for the very first time. Fans and visitors can expect to be sucked into the Upside Down and become part of the supernatural storyline, navigating iconic scenes from the series, including Hawkins Lab and the dark tunnels of the Upside Down. From immersive rides with live actors, jaw-dropping special effects, and retro vibes galore, the experience culminates in a rad ‘Mix-Tape’ area celebrating 80s nostalgia, complete with themed grub, photo ops, and exclusive merch. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into the Stranger Things universe, while the world awaits the fifth and final season. As Liam Findlay, CEO of Miral Destinations, says, “It’s an invitation to step into one of the most defining universes of our time.”
Dubai’s got a fun new art splash!
Dubai has decided its culture needs a bit more splash with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid announcement of the launch of the Dubai Museum of Art, a stunning floating masterpiece on Dubai Creek designed by the incredible Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Unlike any other museum, this will be a five-storey marvel with galleries, a restaurant, and even a VIP lounge, all set to showcase the city’s vibrant culture and arts scene. This epic project is the result of a fab collaboration between the government and private sector, with Abdullah Al Futtaim and his son Omar Al Futtaim helping to bring it to life. Sheikh Mohammed is stoked about the initiative, highlighting how culture and art can make cities truly shine, and we can’t agree more!
City leaders gatherred to innovate, invest, inspire
Expo City Dubai hosted the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum, a gathering of mayors, city leaders, and business executives from around the world, focusing on pressing urban challenges and sustainable development. The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, featured bilateral and multilateral meetings, including dedicated gatherings for mayors from Africa, the Arab world, and Brazil.
The summit explored key themes, including governance, innovation, sustainability, and urban resilience, with notable sessions on Dubai’s success story, women as citymakers, nature-based urbanism, and investing in low-carbon urbanisation. The event saw the signing of the 2025APCS Mayors’ Accord: Dubai Declaration on the Future of Urban Governance, outlining strategic objectives for urban development. The summit reinforced Dubai and Expo City’s position as a hub for impactful collaboration, shaping the future of cities worldwide.
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Noteworthy
- The Dubai Loop, built by Elon Musk’s Boring Company, will be launching in 2026. Promising to revolutionise transportation with its underground tunnels that are immune to sandstorms and earthquakes, it’ll whisk 20,000 people an hour through the city’s busiest zones.
- Foodies can start looking forward to the MICHELIN Guide Food Festival Abu Dhabi. Offers live cooking demos, kids’ masterclasses, and collaborative MICHELIN Stars Table dinners from 21-23 November at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, led by world-class chefs, interested parties can get tickets here.
- Uber has launched Rihla, a platform connecting mobility, culture, and community in Saudi Arabia, focusing on tourism and events, with initiatives like a Mobility Solutions Hackathon and cultural workshops for drivers, aligning with Vision 2030.
- The Qiddiya City Performing Arts Centre has been confirmed with Qiddiya Investment Company signing a USD $1.4B construction contract with Nesma & Partners. The centre is set to become a cultural hub in Saudi Arabia, featuring three theatres with over 3,000 seats, and hosting over 200 performances annually, as part of Qiddiya City’s development into the Middle East’s entertainment capital.
- Ajman’s tourism sector is expanding internationally with a roadshow in Eastern Europe (26-31 Oct 2025), targeting Warsaw, Budapest, and Prague to foster partnerships, showcase Emirati heritage, and boost sustainable tourism growth.
- Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets are 85% complete or on track, with 675 companies establishing regional headquarters in Riyadh, as the kingdom diversifies its economy and modernizes society, despite facing delays and recalibrations in projects like the NEOM megacity – as shared with the Kingdom’s Minister of Investment, Khalid Al-Falih. Meanwhile, the Kingdom’s tourism landscape is also shifting, with religious tourism dropping to 50% of visitors, as Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb highlights the Kingdom’s hotel readiness for the FIFA World Cup and plans to expand its domestic destinations and explore international projects.
- The AlUla Wellness Festival is kicking off a celebration of fitness, mindfulness, and holistic wellbeing in Saudi Arabia’s stunning AlUla landscape, featuring duathlons, cycling camps, half marathons, and cultural events from until 1 Nov.
- The Al-Touqi Season, the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve’s first ecotourism season, is now open from October 2025 to April 2026, offering activities like paragliding, horseriding, and birdwatching, while promoting sustainability and environmental conservation in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
