Partying in Dubai usually means you leave a venue with pretty empty pockets. Not on Halloween, however, when, if your costume is good enough, you could leave some parties much, much richer. Thousands of dirhams richer.
Here’s our list of the top costume competitions going on in the Emirates, and what you can win.
Atelier M
This Pier 7 bar and restaurant is giving away a prize fund of Dh10,000 in vouchers to four best-dressed guests. There’s free entry for women and couples, while a table booking starts at Dh1,500.
Call 0564556999
Atlantis
There are costume contests for grown-ups and children alike over the pre-Halloween weekend. For over 21s, head to the Saffron Night of the Living Dead brunch on October 28.
Cost Dh550 per person Call 04-426 2626
On the 29th, the party is on at the Kid’s Club, from 1.30-4.30pm (ages 2-12) and 5.30-8.30pm (the slimathon for ages 6-12).
Cost Dh275 Call (booking essential) 044261387
Teens party at Club Rush (9pm-1am, ages 10-18) on October 27.
Cost Dh100, Call 044261365
And for both adults and children The Lost Chambers Aquarium has a spooky beneath the sea vibe on October 28.
Timings 7pm-midnight Cost Dh120 per adult and Dh90 per child
Prizes will include a snorkel for a family of four in The Ambassador Lagoon or a back of house tour at The Lost Chambers Aquarium.
Estrellas Rooftop Lounge
This rooftop spot in Bur Dubai at the Melia hotel — with fabulous Dubai skyline views — will have pumpkin carving and face painting. Best dressed on the night wins a one-night stay at the hotel. It’s Dh149 for unlimited house drinks, 9pm–midnight, on October 31.
Call 043868111
IMG Worlds of Adventure
The theme park on Mohammad Bin Zayed Road becomes spooky for ten days for its Nightmare on IMG Boulevard celebration. There’s a Dracula’s Tunnel, for children, trick-or-treat bags and a chocolate decorating competition at the World of Candy. There’s a best-dressed contest with prizes such as free passes to the park. Just try to avoid the roaming army of zombies, which culminates in the Zombie Apocalypse night on October 28, 9.30pm-1.00am in a separately ticketed event (Dh250, including all rides, attractions and special activities)
Fume Pier 7
Children get dining voucher prizes at the Halloween kid’s brunch on October 28 and 29, noon-4pm.
Call 044215669
Hemingway’s
Want Dh200 to spend at the bar at this venue at the Hilton Hotel, Abu Dhabi? Just have the best costume on October 31, 7pm-2am.
Call 02-6924247
Irish Village
Celebrating on the night itself, there is free entry for all and prizes for the best dressed male, female and child. Get in early for Halloween games; however it will be a child-free zone post 9.30pm
Call 042824752
McGettigan’s JLT
Thousands of dirhams’ worth of prizes (including dinner at the new McGettigan’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah, bar tabs, brunches and lunches) at the Dr Baggot’s House of Horrors night on October 28, kicking off with a five-hour Halloween brunch (Dh249).
Entry free Call 043780800
Okku
The chic venue at the H Hotel — known for its party atmosphere and jellyfish tanks — celebrates its Trick, Treat or L.O.V.E. night on October 30 with a top prize of Dh10,000. You read that right — but it’s not cash in hand. The best-dressed gets a table for ten to the value of 10k. The other prizes aren’t to be sniffed at: A Disco Sushi brunch for eight and a foodie drinks pairing dinner for six. Expect the unexpected, we’re told, with special drinks and a late night with resident DJs Jayworx, Rafael Becker and Consoul Trainin sand live percussionists Geo Safix.
The dress code is strictly fancy dress.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi
The family-focused Pumpkin Party is on October 20, 4.3-8.30pm, with prizes of dining vouchers at the hotel. The party includes creepy characters, arts and crafts and trick or treat.
Societe
The retro club’s celebrates Mexican style with a Dia de los Muertos costume party on October 27 and 28. The Mexican theme includes a trip to Mexico for next year’s Day of the Dead festival — or Dh20,000.
Call 0503571126
Soul, Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach
A night’s stay at the hotel, brunch or dinner are the prizes up for grabs on October 28 at the N.Y. SpotFright night with Halloween-themed F&B.
Dress code is ‘gorgeously gruesome’ Timings 8pm-midnight Cost Dh199 per person all-inclusive Call 044498888
Splash ‘n’ Party
The children’s water park celebrates on October 31, 3.30-6.30pm with a party; top prize for the Halloween swimming costume contest is a one-year membership to Splash n Party worth Dh1,999.
Entry is Dh100 per child (one adult free for every one child paying Call 043883008
Stereo Arcade
On October 28th, dress up as your favourite dead celebrity at The Return From The Dead party. Groups of two or more can win prizes for the best dressed.
Call 0526182424
Wafi
The mall’s costume contest rewards the most disgusting, terrifying looks with vouchers. Head to the ground floor near Matalan at 4pm on October 29. Categories are up to 12 years old and above 12 years old with prizes for first and second places. Children get Dh1,000 (first) and a free birthday party at Kids Connection (second). For adults, first prize is vouchers worth Dh3,000 and Dh2,000 for second.
Zero Gravity
The Monster Halloween costume party has a Dh50,000 prize fund. This is the motherlode. There are prizes for best AND scariest costumes for men, women and couples (Dh5,000 each), and two group prizes (Dh10,000 each). The winners are announced on Facebook after the event.
Entry is free for women and Dh50 for men before 9pm and Dh100 after 9pm. Over 21s only. Call 0555009111
