There is no shortage of Halloween parties taking place across Abu Dhabi this weekend. There’s something for everyone, from kids as young as one to proper grown ups, from brunches to sports events. Dust off your broomstick, cover yourself in (fake) blood, put your dentures in and spook on down.
1. Boogie Box Halloween, The Freaks Come Out at Night
Best for Adults
Get your freak on this Halloween at Up and Below. The roof-top bar will be transformed into a haunted nightmare, packed full of creepy spiders, pumpkins, ghosts and gore. Get ready for some spine-chilling house and techno beats as legendary DJs Hassan Alwan, Tristan Girault and Shadi Megalla will hit the decks throughout the evening. Fancy dress is a must, and there are prizes up for grabs. Those sporting the freakiest and funkiest outfits will get the chance to win an overnight stay for two at Courtyard by Marriott as well as passes to the Friday brunch: Bistro’s Brunch & Beyond.
Location Up and Below,Courtyard by Marriott, World Trade Centre, Abu Dhabi Cost Entry is free, 40 per cent discount for Etihad members Age Strictly over 21s When Thursday, October 29; 9pm to 3am Phone 02 698 2222 Website Courtyard Marriott
2. Never Scared
Best for Adults
If you’re looking to party with full-on live entertainment, then Stills Bar at the Crowne Plaza on Yas Island has you covered. American rapper, Bone Crusher, will be performing a live set. Of course, it being Halloween means that you’ll have to go in spooky attire, and to really entice you to put your fangs in, Stills will pay the best-dressed ghoul Dh10,000!
Location Stills Bar, Crowne Plaza, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Cost Dh80 Age Strictly over 21s When Friday, October 30; 5pm to 3am Phone 02 656 3068 Website Never Scared
3. NeoRun: The scariest place to glo
Best for Everyone
It’s not all conventional parties in Abu Dhabi this Halloween. If you would rather get fit rather than get fat, but still want to dress up as a vampire or Nicky Minaj, then join the NeoRun – the scariest place to both go and glow. Taking place at Zayed Sports City, you can enter online and pick up your neon t-shirt, bib, goggles and, of course, glowing sabre. Ghouls and goblins (you) will run around the complex while being marinated in washable neon paint.
If you don’t fancy running, because you’re Frankenstein’s monster and therefore can’t run (because you’re dead) then no matter, you can walk. Just don’t blame us if you’re devoured by a werewolf.
Read our guide to NeoRun here.
Location Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi CostDh150 per groups of four; Dh165 per person AgeRunners as young as 10 are welcome WhenThursday, October 29; 8pm Email info@neorun.comWebsite NeoRun
4. Caboodle’s trick and treat
Best for Kids
Caboodle is hosting an authentic spook-tacular Halloween extravaganza, complete with interactive activities, live cartoon characters, and a trick-or-treat tour around two of its branches at The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi and The Dubai Mall this month.
Witches will be on hand to create balloon animals and shapes on request as well as offering face-painting for kids to transform themselves into their favourite Halloween characters, such as pumpkins or zombies.
The highlight of the evening will be a delightful trick-or-treat tour where selected shops will have special surprises and treats for children to take back with them. The supervised tour will provide kids with a genuine and memorable Halloween experience, with a bucket load of treats to take home as souvenirs.
Location Caboodle Pamper and Play, First Floor, Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island When Saturday, October 31; 4pm to 9pm Cost Dh125 per child for two hours between 4pm and 9pm Age Between 1 and 12 years Phone 02 616 6973 Website Caboodle
5. Trick and treats party at Cooper’s
Best for Adults
Creep, float or crawl on over to the Halloween party at Cooper’s, Park Rotana. Wear your scariest rags, party all night and the winner of the best Halloween costume will be awarded a prize. Coopers always throws a good party and it’s an ideal place for groups. Popular with British and Irish twenty and thirty-somethings, it’s a safe bet for a good night.
Location Cooper’s, Park Rotana, Khalifa Park When Saturday, October 31 Cost Dh100 applies to men only Age Strictly over 21s Phone 02 657 3333 Website Cooper’s
6. McGettigan’s AUH Spooktacular Halloween Brunch
Best for Adults
Give your brunch a spook-tacular twist with live entertainment from acoustic rock band Hermitage Green at McGettigan’s in Abu Dhabi. Brunchers are encouraged to dig out their best costumes to impress on the day. McGettigan’s are all about great craic so be as wacky, wild and creative as you can. Originality will be rewarded in true Irish style. Spot prizes and free drinks will be given away throughout the day plus they’ll be giving guests a taste of an Irish Halloween with their very own Barmbrac. To top things off there will be a gruesomely ghoulish graveyard feature, ideal for capturing your creepy Halloween snaps.
Location McGettigan’s, Al Raha Beach Hotel When Friday, October 30; 12.30pm to 4pm (brunch); 4pm to 7pm unlimited house beverages Cost Brunch Dh199 per person; Unlimited house beverage offer Dh149 per person Age Strictly over 21s Phone 02 652 4333 Website McGettigan’s
7. Halloween Monster Mash Dance Class
Best for Kids
Who said Halloween was all about scaring people and eating sweets? There are other ways to enjoy the occasion, so why not join up with Expressions of Dance and Drama at the Hilton Beach Club on the Corniche? Scheduled classes have been put on for Saturday, October 31. Young ballerinas should wear their scariest costumes to fully enjoy the experience.
Classes run at 11am to 11.30am for 2 and a half to 4 and a half year olds, 11.30 to 12.15 for 5 and 6 years olds, and 12.15 and 1pm for 6 and 7 years olds.
Location Hilton Beach Club, Corniche When Saturday, October 31 Cost Dh50 Ages between 2 and a half and 7 years Phone 02 493 0115 Website Expressions of Dance and Drama
8. Halloween Friday Brunch at Café D’Alsace
Best for Families
For those who want to brunch in luxury surroundings, Café D’Alsace may be what you’re looking for. The extensive brunch has been given a spooky twist, with Halloween-themed cookies and muffins sure to raise a pumpkin-like smile.
Location Café D’Alsace, Yas Marina When Friday, October 30, 12pm to 4pm Cost Dh115 (including soft beverages); Dh135 (including one round of house pouring beverages); Kids brunch is Dh65 Phone 050 811 5414 Website Café D’Alsace
9. Dana’s Spooktacular
Best for Families
A spooktacular event where everyone is welcome to meet and greet Dana and her friends. You can win prizes and treats and enjoy splashing around. There will be a costume competition and special merchandise too. The park’s cabanas will also be turned into “Trick or Treat” dens where guests can win prizes. There will also be a tasty buffet.
Location Yas Waterworld, Yas Island When Friday, October 30, 6pm to 1pm Cost Dh490 (including spooky buffet for four); Dh120 (regular admission) Ages Children must be accompanied by an adult Phone 02 414 2000 Website Yas Waterworld
10. Halloween brunch at Origins, Yas Viceroy
Best for Families
Why not spend the day at a family-friendly brunch at one of the UAE’s most iconic hotels? The Yas Viceroy is pulling out all stops to ensure your entire family has something to enjoy. Children will be well-looked after, with a magician, face painter, clown and bouncing castle, all contained in a dedicated kids’ corner. Adults can enjoy the ambience of a DJ and, of course, a massive selection of food. And if you think you can get away without dressing up in fancy dress, guess again! The best costume could win you two voucher to the mocktail brunch.
Location Origins, Yas Viceroy, Yas Marina Circuit When Friday, October 30; 12.30pm to 4pm Cost Dh225 (excluding house beverages),Dh375 (inc. selected house beverages), and Dh480 (including selected house beverage and bubbles) Ages All ages welcome Phone 02 656 0000 Website Viceroy
11. Thriller Halloween at Moodz
Best for Adults
You thought we’d forgotten Al Ain, didn’t you? Mackie Entertainment presents the biggest Halloween Party in the Garden City. You are expected to dress up in your spookiest wears as best costume will win you Dh10,000. DJ Major Flow and VDJ Bong will be playing the tunes all night long to keep you entertained.
Location Moodz, Rotana Al Ain, Al Ain When Thursday, October 29, 10pm to 3.30am Cost Ladies free all night with complimentary drinks between 11pm and 1am; Men Dh100 entry including two drinks Age Strictly over 21s Phone 03 754 5111 Website Rotana Al Ain
12. Twerk or Treat on the Royal Yacht
Best for Adults
Don’t worry, as scary as she is, Miley Cyrus will not be descending upon the nation’s capital this Halloween, but you are still encouraged to twerk. Influential Presents is throwing a spooky party with one of the best views of the city, aboard the Royal Yacht which departs from Abu Dhabi Marina. This all-inclusive party will be something to remember, as DJ Major Flow will be spinning the decks while you sit back with shisha. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed ghouls as well as the best twerks.
Location Royal Yacht, departs Abu Dhabi Marina, opposite Marina Mall When Arrive at the yacht at 10pm, the boat departs at 11pm and returns to the marina at 2am Cost Dh280 with all inclusive beverages Age Strictly over 21s Phone 055 678 8895 Website Influential Presents
