Fright night
Here’s your guide to the biggest and scariest Halloween events in the UAE. Plus, where to party with the ghouls
It may have been a night of the evil dead for director Sam Raimi, but the UAE is bringing out the zombies for a weeklong Halloween celebration. From a film screening to haunted houses to check out, here’s a complete guide to a ghoulish Halloween.
ABU DHABI Al Maryah Island
Al Maryah Island waterfront promenade will be transformed into a family-friendly spooky village with pumpkins, spider webs, trick or treat, festive lights and other decorations. A host of activities, competitions and activities will keep the whole family entertained. You can also explore a wide selection of seasonal food and beverage offerings and visit The Galleria participating outlets for trick or treating.
Location: Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi.
Cost: Free Timings: Today from 4pm to 10pm.
Yas Marina Freakiest of Fridays
Yas Marina will be welcoming families to its secret lair to celebrate a mad science themed Halloween. Children of all ages can enter a world of science and experimentation. This family-friendly event promises to entertain with a range of activities including Lab Experiments, The Slime Laboratory, Monster and Zombie Crafts and Freakensteins’s Parlor.
Location: Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi.
Cost: Dh30 per child. Timings: November 2 from 2pm to 6pm.
DUBAI ‘Halloween of Horrors’ at Fairmont Kids’ Club
During a four-day programme that includes games and fun, children will be able to make the most of the Halloween treats in store for them. The parties will begin with a trick or treat parade around the resort followed by decorating cookies or magic shows.
Location: Fairmont the Palm Cost: Dh250 per child for the Magic Show Party and Dh200 per child for the cookie decorating party.
Timings: Today and October 31.
Trick-or-treating at Motiongate Dubai
Kids can to head to Hotel Transylvania in the Columbia Zone for Halloween celebrations. There they can meet their favourite characters from Hotel Transylvania, including Drac, Mavis, Murry and Co, participate in pumpkin crafts, face painting, and listening to spooky stories read live by friendly witches. They can also go trick-ortreating at the Hotel Transylvania Castle and the Smurfs Village.
Location: Dubai Parks and Resorts, Jebel Ali.
Cost: Tickets online and at the main gate for Dh175 for UAE residents and Dh245 for nonresidents. Halloween attractions included in entry ticket.
Timings: Friday and Saturday until November 3, as well as October 31 and November 1, with activities from 2pm to 6pm.
XPark Jr’s Hocus Pocus
XDubai’s adventure playscape, XPark Jr is inviting the UAE’s wizards, witches and ghouls to Hocus Pocus, taking place in honour of Halloween, where you can enjoy a ‘treats by torchlight’ treasure hunt and prizes for best costume. A special Halloween bundle from Park House,
packed with a mini sandwich, ghost cookie, a popcorn and marshmallow pot and a tangerine, will be available for Dh30 per child/person. In addition, Halloween arts and crafts will also available for Dh15 per child. Location: XPark Jr, Kite Beach. Cost: Dh45 per child and 1 adult. Timings: Today from
5 to 7pm.
Mighty Quinn’s Halloween Barbeque, JBR
Little munchkins, monsters and ghouls (and parents, too) can gear up for a Halloween
celebration with the Mighty Spooktacular Bash. The two-hour event will feature arts and crafts hosted by Crafty Station, a trick or treat post, classic Halloween tunes and a surprise for the event’s best dressed. Kids eat free from a dedicated menu from 5pm until 7pm, while grown-ups can enjoy brisket, 22 hour smoked ribs, creamy mac and cheese, and more with a 30 per cent off their bill all day. Location: JBR.
Cost: Free entry.
Timings: Today, 5pm to 7pm.
The night of the Evil Dead
Head down to Cinema Akil and watch a classic by director Sam Raimi. Five college students take time off to spend a peaceful vacation in a remote cabin. What could go wrong? A book and audio tape are discovered and their evil is found to be powerful once the incantations are read out loud. The friends find themselves helpless to stop the evil as it takes them one by one.
Location: Warehouse 68, Alserkal Avenue.
Cost: Dh50.
Timings: October 31, 7.30pm.
Festival of Fright at IMG World
The festival of fright plants you amidst zombies and other evil creatures, along with feature other activities like a DJ battle, dance off, live music, a haunted maze, in addition to 22 rides and attractions in the dark.
Location: IMG World. Cost: Dh98 for age 15 years and up. Timings: October 31, from 7pm until midnight. Halloween Brunch and stay at Lapita Lapita Hotel and Resorts will
turn into a giant edible graveyard of witches’ potions and cobweb cakes. This afternoon brunch will include access to the pool including 20 per cent off at ARI poolside bar.
The hotel is also offering a sleepover at its haunted hotel until November 2. The deal includes breakfast and access to the three theme parks and one water park.
Location: Dubai Parks and Resorts. Cost: Dh295 with soft beverages, Dh395 with house beverages, Dh99 for children up to 12 years. Overnight stay starts at Dh1,189 for two.
Timings: Brunch on November 2 from 1pm to 4pm.
The Countdown Challenge in JBR
With the season of horror upon us, the venue beckons the brave to put their fearlessness to the test, and take on the Escape Plan as well as The Basement challenges while attempting to leave a locked room in 60 minutes or less. Location: Bahar Plaza, the Walk. Cost: Starting from Dh130 per person. Timings: Daily from 3pm to midnight.
Golden Mile parade
Golden Mile Galleria is hosting a trick or treat-themed Halloween parade for kids, Children can dress up in Halloween costumes to join the procession, and enjoy an exciting line-up of activities, games and treats. The parade starts at Golden Mile Galleria Building 9 (Organic Foods and Cafe) and ends at Building 3. Children must be with a parent. Location: Golden Mile Galleria Building 9.
Cost: Free. Timings: November 2 from 5pm.
Hollywood Horror on QE2
The QE2’s Grand Lounge will come alive with a special dinner show — The Hollywood Horror
Show. Passengers can enjoy a meal, beverages and performances showcasing the best of Hollywood’s horror scene . Attendees are expected to come in costume and can select from three seating options. After the show finishes at midnight, passengers can continue to party with a DJ until 3am.
Location: The Grand Lounge, Upper Deck, QE2.
Cost: Starts at Dh595.
Timings: November 1 and 2 from 9pm onwards.
Escape Hunt at La Ville
This City Walk hotel is playing a Halloween game, turning into a giant escape room across four restaurants. In conjuction with Escape Hunt, will have you solve a mystery of forgotten treasure.
Location: La Ville Hotel and Suites.
Cost: Starts at Dh260. Timings: October 31, from 5pm until 10pm.