Gone are the days when we’d knock on neighbours’ doors and get excited about a handful of monkey nuts. Thankfully, Halloween actually gets more fun as we get older. Here’s our pick of the best fright fests in the UAE…

Monster Halloween Costume Party
Monster by name, monster by nature, the biggest Halloween bash in Dubai attracts 5,000 undead zombies, freaks and ghouls to Sandance Beach for a fun-filled night of epic proportions. From his pirate ship, DJ Tim Cheddar will be dropping a mish-mash of party tunes, while fire-eaters and stilt-walkers add to the visual chaos. Check out the horror show on stage at midnight and go to town when raiding your dressing up box – there’s Dhs30,000 up for grabs for those sporting the best costumes.

Atlantis, The Palm,
Tel: (055) 2004321. Taxi to the hotel.
5pm to 3am, ladies free, Dhs50 for blokes before 8pm. Dhs100 thereafter. 
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photo-Romain-GODON-Dubainight3•

Halloween at The Irish Village
Like the Irish need an excuse to throw a party! Hot on the heels of their 17th birthday knees-up earlier this month, the Irish Village turns into a village of the damned for Halloween. Get your spook on and expect howls and hilarity with daft Halloween games and prizes for the best costumes. The MapleJacks (live) and DJ Marky Mark provide the fangtastic soundtrack. Look out the fake blood, wigs and fangs and get stuck in.

Next to Dubai Tennis Stadium, Al Garhoud
Tel: (04) 2824750. Metro: GGCO.
7pm to 2am, free. 
theirishvillage.com

Cavalli Club’s Day Of The Dead
It’s all about celebrating the afterlife at Cavalli Club and, naturally, they even bring a bit of glamour to death. Their Halloween theme is Day Of The Dead, so expect spine-chilling skulls and extravagant floral displays. French trio Paris House Addict bring their take on house, backed by a crew of DJs, VJs and dancers. This is a ticketed event.

Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Tel: (04) 3329260. Metro: World Trade Centre.
8pm to 3am, Dhs300. 
cavalliclub.com

I Know What You Did Last Summer at VIP Room
VIP Room Dubai gear up for their first Halloween party, lining up the tricks and treats for a spooky spectacular. And it’s a face-off with their sister venue VIP St Tropez, with their resident DJ Dirty Law flying in for a hip hop, R&B and house beats battle with Dubai resident Pepelz. Will there be murder on the dancefloor? Dress up and join the night creatures. It’s strictly guestlist only though so hit up guestlist@viproom-dubai.com. You don’t want to be roaming the streets alone on the scariest night of the year!

JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay, Dubai
Tel: (052) 8818888. Metro: Business Bay Station.
11pm to 3am, free.
viproom-dubai.com

Never Get Out The Boat
OK, so it’s not strictly on Halloween, but that’s not gonna stop the Never Get Out The Boat crew bringing some scary mischief to their next seafaring voyage. Expect a motley crew of wicked witches, dark devils and fallen angels on this fancy dress boat trip organised by Dubai Underground Music Movement, with Blue Marlin UAE residents Jixo & Danz among those on deck duty on the, um, deck. You need to be on the guestlist to become a shipmate so ping your full contact details over to info@wearedumm.com.

Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Mina Jebel Ali, Dubai
Metro: Jebel Ali station.
1pm to 6pm, guestlist only. 
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