Halloween in Dubai: The most spooktacular places to celebrate
Time to get your spook on…
It’s time to don your best fancy dress, because Halloween is upon us – and there are already tonnes of events to get booking. There are horror shows and haunted houses, a candyland and even a huge music festival with international acts.
So if you’re after killer tunes, ghoulishly good deals and some frightful fancy dress contests, look no further.
Here’s where to spend Halloween in Dubai…
Barasti
Barasti’s now legendary Halloween bash is back on Wednesday October 31, and the ever-popular DJ Jazzy Jeff will be returning to the decks to celebrate the occasion. But can we expect an appearance from the Fresh Prince too? Let’s hope so.
Barasti, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina Dubai, 11am to 3am, Wednesday October 31. Tel: (04) 318 1313. barastibeach.com
Barbary
Cosy cocktail den Barbary will be hosting three nights of themed Halloween parties from October 31 to November 2 this year. On Thursday it’s ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, followed by ‘Hotel Horrendeur’ on Thursday, and wrapping up with ‘Disco Killer on Friday. At the end of the three events, the best costume prize winner will bag themselves a two-night trip to Paris for two.
Barbary Deli + Cocktail Club, TRYP by Wyndham, Barsha Heights, 10pm to 3am, Wednesday October 31 to Friday November 2. Tel: (04) 247 6688. barbary.ae
Candylicious
Sweet store Candylicious is throwing a kids Halloween party weekend on October 25 and 25. Take your little ones to experience everything from decorating ghostly lollipops to playing frightful pumpkin games to haunting magic shows and a chance to shake your dancing bones.
Candylicious, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, 6pm Thursday October 25 and 2pm and 6pm on Friday October 26, Dhs99. Tickets here
Candypants Halloween Mega Brunch at FIVE
Candypants infamous Halloween MEGA Brunch is back, and it’s got a brand new home in the FIVE Palm Jumeirah ballroom. With space for twice as many brunchers, guests can expect all the usual Candypants Mega Brunch action, as well as guest DJ duo Tango & Mick Willow taking up deck duty.
The Ballroom, FIVE Palm Jumeirah, The Palm, Dubai, brunch 1pm to 4pm, after party 4pm onwards, Friday November 2, Dhs395. Tel: (050) 220 4638. Facebook.com/Candypantsevents
Copper Dog
The Adams family are moving in at Copper Dog, the Scottish themed gastropub in Dubai Marina this Halloween. On Wednesday October 31, their ladies’ night will serve up Halloween-themed cocktails as well as unlimited complimentary wine from 8pm to late.
Copper Dog, Doubletree by Hilton JBR, Dubai Marina, Wednesday October 31. Tel: (04) 559 5355. copperdog.ae
The Els Club
The Els Club, located in the heart of Dubai Sports City, will be hosting a Halloween extravaganza at The Big Easy on Friday October 26. As well as their Halloween themed ‘Scary Friday Carvery’, which will be running from 1pm to 4pm, there will also be fancy dress competitions, face painting, (kid friendly) scary movies and Halloween goodies up for grabs.
The Els Club, Dubai Sports City, 1pm to 4pm, Friday October 26, Dhs225 with house beverages Dhs175 adults food only, Dhs95 children. elsclubdubai.com
Hidden at Treehouse
Downtown party brunch Hidden is twisting into a Dark Fairytale’ theme this year. Taking over Treehouse and Tesoro restaurants in the Taj Hotel, the famed Love Parties brunch is set to turn the venue into an enchanted forest, serving up creepy cocktails, spooky entertainment and a professional make-up artist.
Hidden brunch, Treehouse and Tesoro, Taj Dubai, 1pm to 4pm, Friday November 2, Dhs325 soft, Dhs375 house. Tel: (04) 438 3100. hiddenbrunch.com
House Party Bar
In true 90s style, House Party Dubai is throwing a party with a BEETLEJUICE theme on Wednesday October 31. Expect 90s hits all night, prizes for the best 90s costumes and a happy hour package from 6pm to 9pm.
House Party Bar, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, 6pm to late, Wednesday October 31. Tel: 050 995 5400. Facebook.com/Housepartydubai
Industrial Avenue
Industrial Avenue is set to host its first Halloween party on Tuesday October 30 and it’s got a ‘Day of the Dead’ theme. Expect hip-hop and R&B hits, an immersive Halloween production, and complimentary wine and vodka all night for ladies.
Industrial Avenue, The Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina, 9pm to 3am, Tuesday October 30. Tel: (052) 306 6527. industrialavenuedubai.com
La Ville
For the first time ever in Dubai, La Ville Hotel & Suites is teaming up with Escape Hunt to create a bespoke interactive Halloween experience for adults only, The Forgotten Treasure. Taking place on Wednesday October 31, the eerie evening will give you the experience of the entire hotel and its many creative restaurants, while enjoying spooky bites and drinks.
La Ville Hotel and Suites, City Walk, Dubai, slots from 5pm to 10pm, Wednesday October 31, Dhs260. Tel: (04) 433 444 73. livelaville.com
Lapita
Lapita’s family friendly brunch is getting a ‘spooktacular’ makeover on Friday November 2. The venue will become a giant edible graveyard, with witches potions and cobweb cakes awaiting families at the themed brunch. Cool off afterwards with complimentary pool access
Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, E11 Abu Dhabi-Dubai, Fri Nov 2, 1pm to 4pm, Dhs295 soft Dhs395 house. Tel: (04) 810 9421. marriott.com
Lock, Stock & Barrel
Lock, Stock & Barrel JBR and Lock, Stock & Barrel Barsha Heights are set to transform into a terrifying one-stop chop-shop, bringing you a night of horror, screams and fits of laughter. Be sure to dress the part, as Dhs5000 cash will be up for grabs for the best dressed. Rimmel will be on duty to create looks of extreme revulsion, and the bands are on stage from 10:30pm for a ‘manic breakdown’ of epic favourites. The doctor will see you now…
Lock, Stock & Barrel, Grand Millennium, Barsha Heights and Rixos Premium JBR, The Walk, 7pm to late, Friday November 2. lsbdubai.com
Mashrabiya Lounge
More about the treats and less about the tricks, there’s a ‘spooktacular treatfest’ family afternoon tea at Mashrabiya Lounge, Fairmont Dubai. Expect ghoulish delights, eerie sweet and savory treats and delicious candies. Prizes will also be given to the best outfits of the afternoon, too.
Mashrabiya Lounge, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, 3pm to 6pm, Wednesday October 31, Dhs99 adults, Dhs75 children. Tel: (04) 457 3457. fairmont.com
Mazina
Every Saturday, the themed family-friendly brunch at Mazina takes on a pirates and mermaids theme, but on October 27, expect a spooky twist. As well as all the other usual Family friend activities, expect a pumpkin carving competition for the little ones.
Mazina, Address Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, Saturday October 27, Dhs325 soft, Dhs450 house, 50 per cent discount for children aged 6 to 11. Tel: (04) 888 3444. addresshotels.com
Miss Tess
This Halloween, Miss Tess will be transporting its guests to ‘The Upside Down world’ with unexpected entertainment at a special edition of their evening brunch. The experience begins at 6pm with two complimentary drinks for ladies and happy hour for guys, then from 8pm to 11pm, the brunch package kicks in, where guests can feast on unlimited sushi, noodles and desserts accompanied by a choice of free-flowing cocktails.
Miss Tess, Taj Dubai, Business Bay, 6pm to 11pm, Wednesday October 31, Dhs288. Tel: (050) 498 8505. misstessdubai.com
Motiongate
This Halloween, Motiongate is launching its first-ever ‘Fright Nights’ and introducing a themed maze, based on the terrifying SAW movies. Fright Nights will take place in the park every weekend from October 18 to November 3. The park will have two scare zones in the Lionsgate and Columbia areas where you can meet your favorite zombies or monsters in person, and opening hours will be extended to 11pm on Fridays.
Motiongate, Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai, Fri and Sat from October 18 to November 3, Dhs175 residents, Dhs245 non-residents. Tel: (800) 2629464. motiongatedubai.com
Mr Miyagi’s
On Friday November 2, Mr Miayagi’s will transform into Dubai’s ultimate Full Moon party, and everyone’s invited. As well as all of their usual five courses of epic Asian sharing dishes, crowd karaoke, glitter stations and games, there will be three hours of ‘spooked-up’ cocktails, Thai buckets with a dark twist and Halloween-themed food and beverages available.
Mr Miyagi’s, Media One Hotel, Wok & Roll Halloween brunch Friday November 2, 3pm to 6pm and 8pm to 11pm, Dhs290 house, Dhs390 sparkling. Tel: (04) 420 7489. mrmiyagisdubai.com
Jazz @ PizzaExpress
The new go-to Thursday evening brunch, The Stage Brunch will be getting a ‘spooktacular’ makeover on Thursday November 1. Expect themed nibbles and drinks, spooky decor, and even a make-up artist on-hand to give you your Halloween themed glam. There will also be prizes for the best dressed couples and singles.
The Stage Brunch, Jazz PizzaExpress, Cluster A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, 8pm to 11pm, Thursday November 1, Dhs150 soft, Dhs225 house, Dhs250 premium. Tel: (05) 2798 7292. thestagebrunch.com
QE2
The QE2’s Grand Lounge will come alive with a special Halloween dinner show – The Hollywood Horror Show on Thursday November 1 and Friday November 2. Passengers can enjoy a meal, free-flowing beverages and an on-stage performance with a stellar line-up of dance acts and live music showcasing the best of Hollywood’s horror scene – expect Thriller, The Adams Family, Beetlejuice and more. Fancy dress is essential.
The Grand Lounge, Upper Deck, QE2 Dubai, Port Rashid, 9pm to 3am, Thursday November 1 and Friday November 2, packages from Dhs595. Tel: (04) 526 8888. qe2.com
The Smash Room
The Smash Room is transforming into a frightening and fantastic house of horrors this Halloween. To smash, you must weave through a terrifying maze of things and creatures from your worst nightmares, find your weapon of choice, then navigate the maze to find your smashing space where you can smash your worst fears.
The Smash Room, 95 Umm Suquim Street, Al Quoz Industrial 4, Opposite Marina Home, 11am until 10pm, October 23 to November 3, Dhs99. Tel: (058) 198 2323. thesmashroom.ae
Tribeca
This year Halloween falls over Tribeca’s weekly ‘Queen Bee’ ladies’ night, so there will be unlimited themed cocktails for ladies from 8pm to midnight on Wednesday October 31, as well as a best dressed costume, with the winner bagging themselves a two-night stay at the JA Hatta Fort Hotel.
Tribeca, first floor, JA Ocean View Hotel, Dubai Marina, 8pm onwards, Wednesday October 31. Tel: (050) 345 6067. tribeca.ae
The Trophy Room
Trophy Room at Fairmont Dubai will be transformed into a house of horrors to hold the ‘creepiest quiz night in town’ for this year’s Halloween celebrations on Wednesday October 31. Guests are invited to team up and solve a total of six rounds of mystery, testing you and your brainiest mates on general knowledge, whilst instructions for the creative rounds will be given at the spot. Thousands of dirhams worth of prizes will be up for grabs on the night and will include vouchers for dining in the dark experience at Noire, Trophy Room dining credit, pool passes and more.
The Trophy Room, Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, 8pm to 2am, Wednesday October 31. Tel: (04) 311 8316. fairmont.com/dubai
WeBrunch at Accents
Love Parties’ popular party brunch WeBrunch will be going All-American for their Halloween festivities on Friday November 2. The Halloween party co-insides with the reopening of their stunning Marina-facing terrace, and guests can expect a themed buffet, spooky entertainment, a make-up artist to create the perfect Halloween look, and fancy dress competitions.
WeBrunch, Accents, Intercontinental Dubai Marina, 1pm to 4pm, Friday November 2, Dhs325 soft, Dhs375 house. Tel: 052 798 7292. webrunchdxb.com
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