It’s Halloween on Friday and there is no shortage of ghoulish fun. We round up some of the spookiest events
FOR FAMILIES
Abu Dhabi
Art Beat Monster Bash: To add some art to your Halloween, take the kids to Art Beat for some spooky fun. Walk in any time during opening hours to create ceramic skulls, pumpkins and witches. Or let them design découpage cats, aliens or monsters and finish with glow-in-the-dark paint. Prices range from Dh35 to Dh120. To get an early start on the fun, join Art Beat's Monster Bash, with free party games, on Thursday, October 30, from 5pm to 7pm. For reservations, call 055 269 8011.
Trick, Treat, Splash at Yas Waterworld: This two-day event will be filled with scares and thrills. Guests can make their way through Bandit's Cave of Scares, then continue the fun with a candy hunt, pumpkin decorating and a costume contest that will award two winners a Yas Waterworld annual pass. All day Friday and Saturday, Dh240 (normal entry ticket), www.yaswaterworld.com.
Halloween Family Fun day at Abu Dhabi Golf Club: This poolside party includes face painting, a bouncy castle, a water slide, a costume contest and film screenings of Hotel Transylvania and Frankenweenie. THursday, October 30, from 4pm to 9pm, free entry. For inquiries, call 02 558 8990.
Yas Marina: Kids can decorate a trick or treat bag and have their faces painted from 3pm to 5pm on Friday, October 31, followed by pumpkin games and trick or treating at Yas Marina's seven restaurants. The day ends with an outdoor movie on the promenade at 7pm. From 3pm to 8.30pm, free entry, 02 406 2000.
Dubai
Ghost Town Halloween Party at Emirates Golf Club: This family-friendly event features a ghost cemetery, haunted tunnels, a vampire bouncy castle, ghost garden, horror maze, music hall, pumpkin garden, a zombie dance show and more. You can also pre-book a bungee jump session for Dh250. The costume contest will dole out Dh9,000 to six winners – two each from three categories: 0 to 4 years, 4 to 12 years and 12 and above. Food and beverages will be available on site. On Friday, October 31, 4pm to 10pm. Dh100 for kids (under 4, free), Dh150 for adults, www.ghosttownhalloweenparty.com.
Halloween Party, Fairmont The Palm Falcons Juniors' Club: This kids' club party will include trick or treating all around the hotel, face painting, mummy wrapping, cookie decorating and a costume contest. Limited spaces are available and pre-booking is required. For children ages 4 to 15 years. On Friday, October 31, from 4pm to 9pm. Dh180 per child, 04 457 3331.
Across the Emirates
Spookfest 2014 at Fun City and Fun Ville centres: On Thursday, October 30, only, take the little ones to any Fun City or Fun Ville location across the Emirates and join in Halloween-themed activities, trick-or-treating, games and a spooky-costume competition. Open to children from 3 years to 12 years old. Parents can register their children until noon today. Registration is required. Dh60 per child, includes a kids' meal. For nearest locations, visit www.funcity.ae and www.funville.ae.
FOR ADULTS
Abu Dhabi
Halloween Goes Hollywood at Eight, Souk Qaryat Al Beri: Be cinematic with your costume this year at Eight Abu Dhabi's Hollywood-themed party. From Avatars and vampires to princesses and superheroes, the possibilities are abundant as guests are encouraged to turn to the big screen's most iconic characters for costume inspiration. A yet-to-be-revealed prize will be awarded to the best Hollywood-themed costume. Friday, from 11pm to 3.30am. For reservations, call 050 144 6662.
Thriller Night at Burlesque, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi: Featuring live burlesque acts, this lounge is the perfect spot for a late night out on Halloween, October 31. The party starts at 11.30pm (but Burlesque opens at 7pm for dinner and its regular Touch of Burlesque show starts at 9.30pm). A mystery DJ is set to entertain. Entry is free and there's a complimentary beverage for guests who come in costume. Winners of the costume contest will receive two platinum tickets to Burlesque's live show. For reservations, call 056 498 7580.
Dubai
Cirque Le Soir at the Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road: This circus-themed nightclub will be transformed into a crime scene featuring notorious movie serial killers such as Leatherface, Chuckie, Jason and Freddy. There will be Halloween-themed beverages and the person in the freakiest costume will win a table for friends to return to Cirque Le Soir another night. Thursday and Friday, from 10.30pm to 3am. No entry fee. For reservations, call 050 995 5400.
L.O.V.E. Halloween Party at OKKU, The H Hotel: The Geisha Lust theme of the L.O.V.E. party will centre around geishas from the afterlife. Geisha potion syringes and eyeball beverages will help set the mood. Ladies should come in their whitest make-up and full geisha gear. Gentleman are advised to adorn themselves in Japanese armour and long black wigs. It might pay off. Top prize for the costume contest includes a table for six to dine and party at OKKU to the tune of Dh10,000, an executive suite for one night and a one-hour signature massage for two worth up to Dh5,000. From 7pm, bookings recommended. For reservations, call 04 501 8777.
FOR fOODIES
Abu Dhabi
Spooktacular Brunch at Cafe Palmier, Le Royal Méridien: Hit up Cafe Palmier's kid-friendly brunch on Friday, October 31. The entire area will sport Halloween decorations and there will be Halloween-themed food and drinks on offer. Face painters, special characters and entertainment for the kids will make this a hit with families. Friday, from 1pm to 4pm, Dh190. For reservations, call 02 695 0413.
Halloween Brunch at Origins, Yas Viceroy: There will be Halloween-themed buffet stations, a spooky chocolate fountain, pumpkin-carved lanterns and a witch's cauldron of punch for adults. In the kids' section, there will be apple bobbing, face painting, balloon art and children's witches-brew drinks. Come dressed up in your best costume. Prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed adult and child. Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm, Dh195. For reservations, call 02 656 0600.
Hulaween at Trader Vic's, Beach Rotana: Celebrate Halloween with French-Polynesian flair at Trader Vic's. On Fiday, October 31, there will be Halloween games, a Hulaween menu, tricks, treats, live music and the best-dressed ghost or ghoul will win a Dh500 voucher. For reservations, call 02 697 9011.
Dubai
The Halloween Brunch at Mina A'Salam, Madinat Jumeirah: This Halloween-themed brunch is perfect for kids and adults. Prizes will be awarded to the three best adult costumes and the three best children's costumes. Prizes include a free brunch (for four), free dinner at Tortuga (for two), complimentary passes to the Madinat Jumeirah beach and tickets to Wild Wadi Waterpark. Friday from 12.30pm to 4pm, Dh425, Dh250 for kids ages 4 to 12, kids under 4 dine free. For reservations, call 04 366 8888.
Free Halloween Brunch at Circle Cafe, Studio City: This sounds too good to be true. On Friday, Ocotober 31, Circle Cafe will offer a preview of its new brunch that will officially launch on November 7. But on Friday – for two hours only – guests will be treated to complimentary family-style fare, with extra Halloween goodies for the children. Come dressed in costume because the best #CircleHalloween selfie spotted on social media will win a place in The Inner Circle, winning them free food at Circle Cafe for an entire year. On Friday from 11am to 1pm at the Studio City location. For reservations, call 04 276 6283.
Spooky Halloween Brunch at Al Bahou, Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate: Al Bahou will be awash in spider webs, masks, pumpkin faces, bats and there's even a witches' corner. The brunch features Halloween-themed drinks and food such as pumpkin polenta, bat bites goat's cheese and monster munch. The supervised kids' area includes Halloween cookies, face painting and a living statue. Friday, from 12.30pm to 4pm, Dh295. For reservations, call 04 444 5613.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS
Abu Dhabi
Liquid Halloween at Mai Cafe, Aloft Abu Dhabi, Adnec: The Mai Cafe will feature a special edition of Aloft's notorious Liquid Rain pool parties with a suitably scary theme. As the name suggests, expect to be both sprayed and spooked. Music-wise, look out for the Liquid resident DJ Natalie Brogan on the decks, accompanied by the gruesome twosome Chad Phunk and DJ Jose R. Friday, 5pm. Dh150 for men, free entry for ladies. For reservations, call 02 654 5000.
Halloween at O1ne, Yas Island: One of the capital's most reliable party venues, hype has been brewing on social media about this Yas Island venue's Halloween happening all week. The venue isn't giving much away about what to expect, posting a series of eerie flyers with the title "it's Halloween, doll!" But given this place's enviable reputation and decent dance floor, we can see this one kicking off with ghoulish party people. On Friday from 11pm onward. Free entry. For more information, call 052 788 8111.
Dubai
Barasti, Mina Seyahi:Dubai-dwellers don't normally need to be told about Barasti, but there's something spooky going down for Halloween, with none other than Jazzy Jeff back in town. In case you're new (or forgetful), this hip-hop maestro caused shock waves when he played a storming set at the same venue for New Year's Eve – capped off when his former sparring partner Will Smith made a surprise appearance. Of course, the chances of Smith making the return journey are pretty slim, but you never know. Friday, 7pm. Free entry. For reservations, call 04 399 2313.
Zero Gravity, SkyDive Dubai: If you're serious about dressing up, this is for you. There's a combined total of Dh50,000 worth of prizes being given away at ZG, with the chance to win Dh5,000 in cash for being crowned either the best or scariest male or female, plus couple and group prizes. The tunes come from the cheese-loving Tim Cheddar, the award-winning Soulninja and Virgin Radio's Big Rossi. On Thursday, 7pm. Free for ladies before 9pm, Dh50 for men, Dh100 for all after 9pm. For reservations, 04 399 0009.
Slimy Vibe Up at Dusk Terrace, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City: Alternative music fans should head down to a special edition of Deep Crates Cartel's funk and hip-hop pool party (it's normally called Sunny Vibe Up, get it?). Guests can expect ghoulish games, obligatory party gear and some of the most eclectic tunes in town from a packed bill of 10 local decksmiths, including the mainstays Lobito, Frez and Dubijad. Friday, from 3pm. Dh70, free before 5.30pm. For reservations, call 04 366 9111.
FOR CHARITY
Halloween Bash at Sandy Paws, Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi: Celebrate Halloween by helping animals in need. Sandy Paws rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes stray and abandoned cats in the capital. On Friday, there's a Halloween party with a buffet, dancing, costume contest and raffle prizes. Best for adults, the charity event is at 7pm, Dh230 per person. For reservations, call 055 130 7077.
• With additional reporting by Rob Garratt
sjohnson@thenational.ae, rgarratt@thenational.ae
