From costume parties and family activities to spooky brunches, here’s your guide to getting the most out of the haunted holiday in the capital

Spooktacular at Yas Waterworld


If you really want to scare yourself this Halloween, head to Yas. As well as the usual 40 rides on offer, younger kids will enjoy meeting the park’s characters Dana and friends and Bandits Chubby and Skinny. Ideal for all the family, there will be prizes and competitions, free sweets and merchandise giveaways.
October 27
Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri 10am to 10pm, Dhs250. Tel: (02) 4142000 Taxi: Yas Waterworld. yaswaterworld.com

Take part in the Neorun


Join 10,000 runners of all ages, from ten years and up, and walk, jog or run along a 5km Halloween-themed route at Zayed Sports City in fancy dress. You’ll be splashed with glow neon paint along the way, and maybe get a scare from some ghouls of the night. At the finish line, it’s one big party of neon lights and endless dancing. It’s not all tricks; there are treats too, such as the free T-shirt and swag bag you’ll get for taking part.
October 27
Zayed Sports City, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, Fri, doors open 5pm, run starts at 7pm, Dhs185. Taxi: Zayed Sports City. neorun.com/halloween

Freaky Friday at Yas Marina


Perfect for children of all ages, this party will be filled with themed attractions such as The Maze Of Madness and The Pumpkin Patch, where kids can enjoy bowling pumpkins and get creative in an arts and crafts corner. Staff dressed as witches and ghouls will lead the children around Yas Marina at 5pm for guided trick-or-treating, followed by a fancy dress competition.
November 3
Yas Marina, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Fri 3pm to 6.30pm, Dhs30. Taxi: Yas Marina. yasisland.ae

A French-Polynesian Halloween at Trader Vic’s


Expect zombie- and vampire-themed drinks at this Hula-ween (groan) party in Al Zahiyah. There’s a prize for the best costume and ladies get three free drinks between 7pm and 9pm.
October 31
Beach Rotana, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, Tues from 7pm. Tel: (02) 6979011. Taxi: Beach Rotana. rotana.com

Burning Man at Blue Marlin


The club in Ghantoot is holding a themed event for Halloween inspired by America’s Burning Man desert festival, with DJs Hosh and Lehar, Frederick Stone, Jixo & Danz, Jean B and Aidin Karami spinning the wheels of steel.
October 27
Blue Marlin, Ghantoot Al Jazira Island Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Friday, 1pm to 11pm. Tel: (056) 1133400. Taxi: Ghantoot Al Jazira. bluemarlinibiza-uae.com

Spooky savings at C. Mondo


C. Mondo bar at the Centre Capital Centre hotel is giving 50 per cent off food and drinks on October 26 and 27. Visit in fancy dress and you’ll get a free drink, spend Dhs200 in the bar, and you’ll be able to ‘spin the wheel’ to stand a chance of winning a range of prizes from the hotel.
October 26 and 27
C. Mondo, Centro Capital Centre, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Abu Dhabi, Fri and Sat, free entry. Tel: (02) 4096666. Taxi: Centro Capital Centre. rotana.com

Celebrate Yelloween at Coya


It’s all about voodoo at Abu Dhabi’s What’s On Awards-winning pan-Latino outlet. There’ll be a live band on the night and fancy dress is encouraged.
October 29
The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, Sun 8pm to 3am. Tel: (02) 3067000. Taxi: The Galleria. coyarestaurant.com

Ghosts and ghouls on Saadiyat


Sadiyaat Beach Club’s pool party Cachée is Halloween-themed this weekend. DJ Slim and DJs Saif And Sound supply the tunes and make sure you go in fancy dress – there’s a prize up for grabs for the best.
October 27
Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, 8pm to 2am, Dhs200, Dhs50 ladies. Tel: (02) 6563500. Taxi: Saadiyat Beach Club. saadiyatbeachclub.ae

A fright night at Le Meridien (with added Yalla Laughs)


Head to The Village at Le Meridien for a spooky party, live music from Once Duo and stand-up comedy from the UAE’s Yalla Laughs.
October 31
Le Méridien, Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, Tue from 7pm. Tel: (02) 6974354. Taxi: Le Méridien. lemeridienabudhabi.com

Go to a Halloween costume party


Celebrate All Hallows’ Eve at Hemingway’s and dance the night away alongside live band DNA 2.0 and try a special themed three-course dinner for Dhs130. Halloween costumes are encouraged and prizes are up for grabs.
October 31
Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, Tue 7pm to 2am, free entry. Tel: (02) 6924247 Taxi: Hilton Abu Dhabi. 3hilton.com

A scary overnight stay


Forget haunted abodes, celebrate October 31 at the Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort with an overnight stay including a buffet breakfast, two free drinks, 20 per cent off food and drinks and free entry to the hotel’s Halloween bash at L’attitude, where you can do your best Thriller impression on the dance floor.
October 31
Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort, Western Region, Abu Dhabi, Dhs700 per night. Tel: (02) 8012222 Taxi: Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort. jebeldhanna.danathotels.com

Head to a spooky brunch


Irish pub McGettigan’s has a monster-themed brunch to celebrate Halloween. Spend Dhs199 for unlimited house drinks and food from noon to 4pm with a post-drinks brunch package from 5pm to 8pm for Dhs149. The dress code is scary, so don your spookiest threads. Irish band Hermitage Green will perform from 7pm.
October 27
McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel And Resort, Abu Dhabi, Fri noon to 3am, free entry, Dhs199 brunch, Dhs149 post-brunch. Tel: (02) 6524333 Taxi: Al Raha Beach Hotel. mcgettigans.com/auh

Hit a scary buffet at Etihad Towers


Load up on carbs and chill out at Rosewater’s Halloween themed feast, where you can dig into a huge buffet and free-flowing house drinks for Dhs325 with a sparkling option for Dhs399. Kids will be entertained by face painters, balloon masters and clowns.
October 31
Jumeirah At Etihad Towers, West Corniche, Abu Dhabi, Tue 6.30pm to 11pm. Dhs200 to Dhs399. Tel: (02) 8115666. Taxi: Jumeirah At Etihad Towers. jumeirah.com

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