TLDR:
Trick or treat hotspots
Dubai’s Halloween brunches
Family-friendly spooky events
DUBAI (The Thursday Times) — Dubai is conjuring up a Halloween to remember, offering an exciting line-up of events across the city. From thrilling parties to family-friendly experiences, the city is transforming into a Halloween haven, bringing a Western holiday to life with a Middle Eastern twist. Whether you’re after eerie adventure parks, elegant costume balls, or laid-back brunches with a spooky spin, there’s something for everyone in Dubai this Halloween.
Family-friendly halloween events for little ghouls
For families looking to join in on the festivities, Dubai’s attractions offer themed fun for all ages. Souk Madinat’s Amorino is delighting children in costume with complimentary gelato scoops, with special Halloween flavours on offer. Over at The Brew House, pumpkin dance-offs, games, and face-painting keep kids entertained, while adults can enjoy craft hops in a relaxed atmosphere. For a full day of Halloween-themed activities, families can check out Centara Mirage Beach Resort, where ghost lantern crafts and kids’ discos lead into fire shows and spooky beachside movie screenings at dusk.
LEGOLAND is also creating an immersive Halloween experience, transforming the park with festive decorations, the Brick-or-Treat Trail, and Lord Vampyre’s themed sleepover. The JLT Park Halloween playground has a full evening of spooky games and a Thriller-style dance-off, ensuring that Halloween magic is accessible for everyone.
Haunting brunches and evening parties
Dubai’s love for brunches extends into Halloween, with venues crafting eerie culinary spreads and festive drinks for brunch-goers. Kitchen 6, a JW Marriott spot, offers pumpkin-themed delights, a trick-or-treat station, and music to complete the experience. For a rooftop party, Aura Skypool at Palm Jumeirah is setting the scene for an after-dark celebration, featuring three hours of flowing drinks, Pan-Asian dishes, and a best-dressed costume competition. And for those after an enchanting beach setting, Cana by Tamoka’s Witchfest Ritual brings Latin-American flavours and magical beach decor to life, while a performer-led, haunting dance show adds to the evening’s eerie atmosphere.
For something with a sophisticated edge, the Gallery 7/40 transforms into a myth-inspired Medusa-themed bash, where plates are smashed to Greek beats, and costumes pay homage to ancient legends. And at Barfly by Buddha-Bar, views over the Dubai skyline accompany a “short-rib bao” brunch experience with mysterious performances in a hauntingly designed setting.
Spooky thrills at Dubai’s theme parks and attractions
Those looking for thrills can head to Dubai’s famed theme parks, where the usual attractions take on a darker edge. Motiongate is bringing back its popular Fright Nights, with mazes and ghostly performances around every corner. The Halloween Run at City Walk invites costumed runners to participate in an eerie 2.5 or 5-kilometre race as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, with prizes awarded for the fastest time and best costume. Visitors to Riverland can watch neon aliens perform eerie dances and experience a laser show as the once-sweet village transforms into a haunted scene.
IMG Worlds of Adventure offers Festival of Fright, where graveyards, haunted mazes, and spooky surprises dot the park. Oli Oli, an interactive museum, is hosting Halloween events with a scavenger hunt, costume contest, and prizes, while families looking for a staycation can opt for the Marriott Al Jaddaf’s Halloween-themed suite, complete with creepy decor and themed amenities.
Halloween nightlife and parties
The city’s nightlife is also embracing Halloween, with rooftop bashes, costume parties, and thematic dinner shows. The glitzy Penthouse on Palm Jumeirah is bringing DJ sets and a red dance floor, while the skypool at FIVE Palm is hosting an after-dark party with haunting R&B beats and a costume contest. For a chic twist, Amelia’s “Spy on the Dancefloor” invites guests to don a costume and revel in a spy-themed bash. Bla Bla’s Mad Max-inspired bash and Dream’s Cyborg Halloween show add a futuristic flair to the celebrations.
For those seeking a surreal experience, Birds in Downtown Dubai hosts a spooky theatrical dinner complete with a themed menu and character performers. Meanwhile, at Trader Vic’s in Souk Madinat, guests can join in a Dia de los Muertos party with traditional decorations, themed cocktails, and live music. And if your Halloween plans call for a masquerade with a twist, STK Dubai invites party-goers to dance the night away at their “death by disco” evening bash, where costume-clad guests enjoy free-flowing drinks, spookily themed dishes, and top music.