With Halloween in Abu Dhabi just around the corner, there are many spooky activities for kids, exciting brunches, and haunted parties.
While Halloween is officially on October 31st, the celebrations in the capital and across most countries in the world often go on much longer!
Halloween has evolved into a worldwide event with roots in the ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain. There has been a growth in Halloween celebrations among expat communities in the United Arab Emirates over the past few years.
Around this time of year, Abu Dhabi also starts getting cooler – marking the start of outdoor pop-ups, terrace openings and more. Apart from Halloween events in Abu Dhabi, there’s also plenty of Diwali celebrations across the capital you might want to check out!
Naturally, we’ve kept an eye on the best events to celebrate Halloween in Abu Dhabi to make this ‘spooktacular’ season even more fun!
Halloween in Abu Dhabi
Bewitched Brews at Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi
For those looking to enjoy Halloween with a touch of luxury, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi has some fantastic options.
The expertly prepared cocktails have been shaken up as the bartenders have stirred in some spells into their usual concoctions to serve you a curated a selection of the finest witches’ brew this Halloween.
The stunning lighting and outdoor terrace combine for an intimate night out this Halloween party in Abu Dhabi. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly dinner or a night out with friends, the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi is one of the best places to celebrate Halloween in Abu Dhabi.
Details:
Date: Friday, 31 October
When: 5 pm – 1:30 am
Bookings: Call +97125101234, or email dineatgrandhyattabudhabi@hyatt.com
Halloween Party at Lucky Eight Arcade & Billiards
Get ready for the most epic kids Halloween party in Abu Dhabi! Don your best costumes and gather your crew for a night of fun and memories.
The tickets include popcorn, pizza, slushy, AED 135 game credit as well as some fun goodie bags! So what are you waiting for?
Alternatively, you could also book out the entire place to yourself for the ultimate Halloween hangout! For just AED 2899, you can enjoy the whole arcade privately. Don’t miss out.
Details:
Date: 1 November
When: 2 pm – 6 pm
Bookings: AED 175 per kid including popcorn, pizza, slushy, AED 135 game credit & goodie bags! Call +971 2 6726105
Brian’s Barrel & Blast Taster Party at Sorso
If you’re after something classy yet delightfully spooky this Halloween in Abu Dhabi, Brian’s Barrel & Blast Taster Party should be at the top of your list.
Hosted at Sorso, the evening is led by Brian Sullivan, a renowned author and desert mixologist who will take guests on a flavour-filled journey through the world of bourbon.
The event kicks off at 6:45 PM with guest arrivals, followed by Brian sharing insights from his book and serving his signature bourbon cocktail at 7:00 PM.
From there, the night unfolds with a series of handcrafted cocktails, each with its own story and recipe designed by Brian himself, served at 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM, and 8:30 PM.
Guests can choose between two experiences:
230 for the complete bourbon tasting package, including four original cocktails.
200 for a two-hour wine-and-beer package.
It’s a one-night-only celebration of craft, creativity, and Halloween spirit, perfect for those who appreciate the finer side of fright night.
A Pitch Black Halloween
This Halloween, awaken your senses like never before. Step into the unknown and let your senses guide you at Fresh Basil, Bab Al Qasr Hotel.
Enjoy an exclusive 3-course dining experience in complete darkness. Stay true to the Halloween themes where every bite is a thrilling surprise and every moment heightens the mystery. Dress your best and get ready for the most gourmet outing!
Details:
Date: 30 October – 1 November
When: 5 pm – 1:30 am
Bookings: AED 599 per couple, including a bottle of grape. For reservations, WhatsApp +971 56 992 2078
Trick or Treat Party
Get ready for a ghoulishly fun afternoon at Artisan Kitchen filled with laughter, live entertainment, and a scary dress competition! Head to Bab Al Qasr hotel with the little ones and enjoy a day out with gorgeous views.
Indulge in a festive Halloween buffet brunch and celebrate the spooky season in a hauntingly memorable way. Don’t miss out on one of the best celebrations in the capital!
Details:
Date: 1 November
When: 1 pm – 4 pm
Bookings: AED 285 for soft package, AED 385 for house beverages. Kids who wear Halloween costumes will dine for free. For reservations, WhatsApp +971 56 992 2078
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi
If you are looking for one of the best Halloween events in Abu Dhabi for the kids, Warner Bros World Is a good starting point with this years Spooktober!
Get ready for a spooktacular experience at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi this Halloween season, running from October 4th to November 2nd!
This family-friendly event promises wicked fun times for all ages. With over 60 spooky characters, frightful rides, and immersive experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
In 2024, brace yourselves for a thrilling addition: Scooby-Doo and the Mystery INC. Gang will take the stage for live entertainment on the Warner Bros. Live Stage!
Whether you opt for a Single Day Ticket, a Single Day Ticket with a meal voucher, or the fantastic 4 Tickets at the Price of 3 offer exclusively for UAE residents, you’re in for a treat.
Cartoon Junction comes alive with Trickety Treat adventures, Daffy’s Spooky Dance Party, and a chance to meet your favourite cartoon characters in their Halloween best.
Don’t forget to Trickety Treat yourself with a special bag and map for a sweet day out this Halloween. Plus, meet Batman, Bat Girl and The Black Canary, who are all dressed up for some spooky snapshots.
Details:
Date: 4 October – 2 November
When: All day
Bookings: Purchase tickets here to Warner Bros World.
Halloween Brunch Ensoleillé At Grills@Chill’O
Celebrate the spookiest day of the year with your loved ones at Grills@Chill’O.
Join in on a ghoulishly good time featuring special welcome beverages from the chillingly creative cocktail station to satisfy your thirst. Surrounded by eerie decorations, indulge in a buffet inspired by Halloween while enjoying live musical performances by the live duo performance
Pool access is also available!
Details:
Date: 1 November
When: 1 pm – 4 pm
Bookings: AED 285 per person, add AED 155 for house package (selected grapes & hops and standard spirits), add AED 425 for free-flow bubbly (Pommery bubbly)
Reservations: call +971 2 813 7777 or WhatsApp at +971 56 997 7409.
Cooper’s Halloween Party
Halloween in Abu Dhabi is always fun with brunch, parties and celebrations. Coopers in Park Rotana is holding its very own bash, with The Addams Family taking over this scary season!
Sip creepy mixed drinks, dance to haunting beats by The International Playboys & DJ Brent Anthony, and dress in your spookiest Addams-worthy look to win freaky prizes.
Not to mention, Coopers have concocted specially themed Halloween cocktails available.
Don’t miss out, and dress your best for some amazing prizes!
Details:
Date: Friday, 31 October
When: 7 pm – Witching Hour
Bookings: For additional details or reservations, please call Cooper’s 02-657 3325.
The Brunch That Bites Back: Halloween B.I.G. Brunch at Garage
For a unique Halloween in Abu Dhabi – head to this iconic venue on Yas Island for a spooky edition of its popular B.I.G Brunch at Garage restaurant on October 26th. The venue will be decked out with eerie decorations and hauntingly good music, making it a perfect spot for a Halloween celebration.
Expect a menu of creatively spooky dishes and expertly mixed Halloween cocktails. Keep an eye out for spooky specials like the wicked cluck chicken terrine and mystical crab & guac tart, alongside hauntingly playful desserts – from monster mouth brownies to graveyard dirt worm cups.
With DJ Firas spinning a spellbinding soundtrack and prizes for the most creative costumes, this brunch is as theatrical as it is delicious.
B.I.G Brunch is always a good time and the Spooky edition is a great way to spend the afternoon with friends or family this Halloween in Abu Dhabi.
Details:
Date: Friday, 31 October
When: 1 pm – 4 pm
Bookings: Call +971 2 656 0000
The Halloween Grand Brunch, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Embrace your inner pumpkin enthusiast on Saturday, November 1st, from 1 pm to 4 pm, as Fairmont Bab Al Bahr unveils an enchanting Halloween Brunch.
CuiScene has transformed into a Halloween wonderland for a special experience. While you indulge in these treats, you’ll find the enchanting allure of pumpkins in various shades surrounding you, adorning every nook and cranny of the venue, casting an eerie, atmospheric glow on your dining experience.
This is a perfect, family-friendly event promising a spooktacular time for all. Kids can enjoy incredible Halloween creations, so don’t forget to have them wear their Halloween costumes to really get into the fun!
Details:
Date: November 1
When: 1 pm – 4 pm
Bookings: Visit Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Masquerade Ball At Coya
Step into the shadows of COYA’s Cursed Circus, where eerie encounters and sinister delights await…
Head to the Peruvian epicentre of Abu Dhabi for a Halloween dinner in an abandoned circus. Coupled with the haunting soundtrack of COYA MUSIC DJs and curious live performances, it’s about to the ultimate celebration in town.
The evening promises a vibrant mix of live music, themed cocktails, and delicious Peruvian and Latin American-inspired cuisine. Add to that exclusive menu items such as the Payaso Oscuro (‘The Dark Clown’) cocktail and a special dessert, Cursed Chocolate Skull, for the perfect night out.
Details:
Date: Friday 31 October
When: From 9 pm
Bookings: For more information, visit COYA Abu Dhabi
Halloween Week at Central
Central Abu Dhabi is hosting an exciting Halloween Week from October 27th to November 3rd, with plenty of themed events for all to enjoy.
Try some of the delicious Halloween-themed treats, such as Graveyard Salad, Monster Meatball Sliders, and the famous Monster Shakes Boo-Nana. Not to mention the bowling lanes and arcade, which is an awesome activity for all the family, will be spooktacular!
Make a reservation and take the whole family, you won’t be disappointed!
Details:
Date: 27 October – 3 November
When: Various
Bookings: For more information, visit Central
Prison Island
An exciting activity to mark Halloween in Abu Dhabi, it’s suitable for various groups, including families with kids 8+, friends, and teams, is Prison Island. Prison Island offers Halloween fun all year round.
It offers 26 unique cells with 20 teams able to participate simultaneously, accommodating 2 to 6 players per team.
There are also party rooms available. The experience includes challenges and teamwork, making it an ideal choice for team-building, educational outings, or birthday celebrations.
To ensure your spot and avoid waiting, it’s advisable to make a reservation. Prison Island provides an adventurous experience for people of all ages to collaborate, solve puzzles, and collect points.
BlackOut Horror Escape Game Room
Visiting Abu Dhabi’s biggest horror and escape game set in a villa is a perfect way to celebrate Halloween. BlackOut Horror Escape Room also offers Halloween fun all year round.
There is a little something for everyone at BlackOut Escape Game Room. It is packed with thrills and adventures, with only 60 minutes to escape.
Guests can choose from five different environments, all equally terrifying! The Circus, Hotel 666, Exorcism, Dungeon or Psychiatric.
We warn you, the escape rooms aren’t for the faint-hearted. It is filled with a genuinely creepy atmosphere where you will feel like someone’s always watching.
It has gained its reputation as being the biggest and scariest escape room in the Middle East, perfect for Halloween.
For more information on BlackOut Escape Game Room.
Cost: AED 220 per person
Timings: Friday – Sunday 10 am to 12 am, Monday 1 pm to 12 am, Wednesday – Thursday 12 pm – 12 am
Location: Al Rihab Tower – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Halloween Cakes & Decorations
FNP.ae has curated mouthwatering Halloween cakes for those with a sweet tooth. These scrumptious confections with spooky designs are sure to delight kids and adults alike for a delicious Halloween in Abu Dhabi.
Also available exclusively for Halloween are FNP’s Treat Boxes, which are filled with an assortment of candies, chocolates, and treats. These boxes are perfect for sharing the spirit of Halloween with family and friends.
Transform any space into a haunted mansion with FNP’s Halloween decor. From spooky pumpkins and
hauntingly beautiful flower arrangements to eerie candleholders and ghoulish wreaths.
FNP’s Halloween decor collection has everything you need to create a chillingly eerie ambience for any Halloween party.
All products within the Halloween Collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Halloween celebrated in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi is an international city with a large expat community, so Halloween is celebrated widely.
There are spooktacular decorations across hotels and malls to mark Halloween in Abu Dhabi, as well as special menus and parties at local restaurants and bars.
What are the best stores to buy Halloween costumes in Abu Dhabi?
Whatever your Halloween costume is going to be, you’ll need to hit the shops to put together a great outfit.
These top Halloween costume stores can help you find the most suitable costume.
Posters
Posters are the perfect place to find an outfit for Halloween. All types of costumes and make-up sets are available at this store. You can also place an order online.
Party Centre
The Party Centre at Al Wahda Mall and Al Raha Mall is a great place to find Halloween decor, costumes, and other Halloween accessories. If you’re looking for costumes in any category, stop by one of their stores or browse online.
Party Zone
Whether you’re looking for make-up, terrifying masks, adult/kids costumes, colourful wigs or other Halloween accessories, there’s something for everyone at Party Zone.
Mystique Costumes
Despite the shop’s location in Dubai, you can order your Halloween costume online and have it delivered to Abu Dhabi.
At Mystique Costumes, you’ll find everything from fake blood to funky wigs and Halloween make-up.
While costumes at Mystique Costumes are more on the expensive side, they can vary depending on what you choose; the outcome is well worth your time and effort. Shopping for Halloween doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. You can also be artistic and use items from around your home.
Halloween ideas at home with the family
Whether it’s pumpkin-decorating contests, scary movie marathons, or scavenger hunts, there are so many activities your family can do together for Halloween. Take a pick from some of the best Halloween activities for your little ones.
Pumpkin Decorating
Pumpkin decorating is a helpful activity for fine motor skill development. Paint or carve pumpkins with your family and friends!
It would be worthwhile to save the seeds and innards for later use, such as toasting pumpkin seeds or baking pumpkin bread.
Having kids plan and run their own haunted house can be a lot of fun. Allow kids to create their own “spooky” experience by setting rules about props, using equipment and clearing up afterwards.
Let the kids plan their route and lay out spooky elements along the way.
Haunted Houses
In case the thought of constructing a haunted house scares your child, you can create a Fall fun house where pumpkins, scarecrows, and other Fall-themed decorations are displayed.
Lantern Making
Lantern making is a fun craft idea and a great party decoration. Take some brown or white paper lunch bags and cut fun designs and shapes. Fill the bottom of the bag with sand and place a battery-operated candle on top.
Scavenger Hunts
Children can have a great time on a scavenger hunt. Make up a scavenger hunt for your kids. Hide and leave clues so the kids can find you.
The Best Halloween Movies For Kids
Here’s our list of Halloween movies for kids so that you don’t have to search through the Internet for something fun.
So wear your costumes, grab some snacks and sit back. As a matter of fact, most of these movies tend to be funny rather than creepy.
- Hocus Pocus- 1993
- CASPER the Friendly Ghost- 1995
- Harry Potter (Movie series)
- Monsters, Inc.- 2001
- Scooby Doo- 2002
- The Haunted Mansion- 2003
- Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride- 2005
- Monster House- 2006
- Coraline- 2009
- The Dog Who Saved Halloween- 2011
- Hotel Transylvania- 2012
- Frankenweenie- 2012
- Paranorman- 2012
- Toy story of terror- 2013
- Goosebumps- 2015
- Ghostbusters- 2016
- Gnome Alone- 2017
- Escape from Mr Lemoncello’s Library- 2017
- The house with a Clock in its walls- 2018
- Super Monsters Save Halloween- 2018
- The Addams Family- 2019
- Scary stories to tell in the dark- 2019
- Scoob!- 2020
- Bigfoot Family- 2020
- Monster Family 2- 2021
- Muppets Haunted Mansion- 2021
- Under Wraps- 2021
What is Halloween?
All Hallows Eve, or Halloween, is a holiday celebrated on October 31, the evening before All Saints’ (or All Hallows’) Day.
In Western Christianity, Allhallowtide begins the day before All Saints’ Day, which lasts three days and concludes with All Souls Day.
The observance of Halloween is largely nonreligious in much of Europe and North America.
Origins of Halloween
The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the Celtic Festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). 2,000 years ago, the Celts, mostly living in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France, celebrated their New Year on November 1st.
In the past, this day marked the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. It was believed by the Celts that the boundary between the living and the dead blurred on the night before the New Year.
On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain when it was believed the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.
History of Trick-or-Treating
Taking after European traditions, Americans began dressing up in costumes and asking for food and money from house to house. As a result, this practice eventually became the trick-or-treat tradition we know today.
It was in the late 1800s that Halloween began to shift from a night of ghosts, pranks and witchcraft to a day of community and neighbourhood gatherings.
Halloween parties for children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the holiday around the turn of the century. It was a time for games, food of the season and festive costumes at the parties.
Parents refrained from displaying anything “frightening” or “grotesque” during Halloween celebrations.
It was because of these efforts that Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the turn of the twentieth century.
History of Halloween Parties
As Halloween evolved into a secular holiday in the 1920s and 1930s, its main attractions were parades and town Halloween parties.
Despite many schools and communities’ best efforts, vandalism plagued some celebrations in many communities during this time. As the 1950s approached, town leaders had successfully limited vandalism, and Halloween was becoming a holiday mostly for the young.
Because of the high number of children during the fifties baby boom, parties were held in classrooms and homes rather than town civic centres. It was also during these decades that trick-or-treating was revived. Halloween was a relatively inexpensive way for communities to celebrate together.
By providing small treats to the neighbourhood children, families could also prevent tricks from being played on them.
As a result, a new American tradition was born, and it has continued to flourish. Halloween is now the second most popular commercial holiday in the country, after Christmas, spending an estimated $6 billion each year.
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