Halloween is fast approaching, and restaurants, hotels and theme parks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are pulling out all the stops for families, with a number of child-friendly activities, characters and treats on offer.
From dancing with Lord Vampyre at Legoland Dubai or Daffy Duck at Warner Bros Abu Dhabi, to spooky-looking snacks and costume competitions, there is plenty to keep young ones entertained across the month and through to November. Here are our top picks.
Legoland Dubai
A monster-themed gateway adorned with eerie lights and decorations will welcome visitors. Children can embark on a Lego-themed trick-or-treat at the park, collecting Haribo candies, Halloween hats and other sweets along the way. Other activities include a mini-maze; dance party; 4D movie screenings and pumpkin build at Miniland. The best-dressed child will be crowned each weekend.
October 12 to November 3; 11am-7pm; from Dh295; Dubai Parks and Resorts; 800 2629464
Ribambelle, Dubai
The play area and restaurant on Bluewaters Island is hosting a spooktacular carnival open to children aged three and above. It involves Halloween-themed arts; crafts; cooking workshops; a frightful theatre performance and spider web paper disco. Children and adults are encouraged to wear costumes.
October 31; 5pm-8pm; Bluewaters Island; 04 581 5555
Warner Bros World, Abu Dhabi
More than 60 spooky characters will be let loose around the Yas Island theme park, promising to elicit chills and giggles. Children can purchase a treat bag for the trick-or-treat trail. Elsewhere, Scooby-Doo and the gang will put on a show at the plaza stage and Daffy Duck will welcome young guests to a dance party. Older children will be able to interact with characters from the DC universe, including Joker and the Gotham City sirens.
October 5 to November 3; 11am-7pm; from Dh395; Yas Island; 600 511115
Lapita, Dubai
A staycation (from Dh1,699 per night) and a Saturday afternoon brunch (from Dh250) are on offer as part of the Polynesian-themed resort's Lu’Wow Weekender event. Halloween-themed drinks and dishes aside, the venue will have eerie decorations; a spooky games arena with activities such as pin the nose on the pumpkin; face painting stations; and a scary but child-appropriate movie screening at Tiki House.
October 25 to October 27; Dubai Parks and Resorts; 04 810 9999
Circuit X, Abu Dhabi
For a more adrenalin-fuelled affair, the sports-focused venue at Hudayriyat Island is hosting a glow-in-the-dark event. Eerie creatures will be lurking around while guests brave high ropes, zip lines and a free-fall experience. A month's pass at Circuit X is up for grabs for the winners of the best dressed costume contest.
October 31 to November 2; 4pm-10pm; from Dh40; Hudayriyat Island; 02 691 0302
The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Dubai
The aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm will transform into a Haunted Chambers, complete with spooky decorations, themed games and educational experiences centred on creatures in the ocean. Activities include: day-long scavenger hunts; spooktacular aqua theatre shows at 10:30am and 3:45pm; a mummy wrap activity at noon; and a fangtastic costume contest on October 31.
October 30 to November 1; 10am-9pm; Dh85 per adult, Dh65 per child; aquaventureworld.com
Centara Mirage Beach Resort, Dubai
Only available for checked-in guests, the beach resort is transforming its grounds with decorations and a line-up of activities ideal for families with small children. Arts and crafts stations will be set up at the hotel's camp safari area, where children can create masks, ghost lanterns and wicked bracelets. There will also be a children's disco and film screenings.
October 29 to October 31; from Dh1,280 for an all-inclusive stay; Dubai Islands; 04 522 9999
Wavehouse, Dubai
Older children going to the recreation centre at Atlantis The Palm can bowl, surf and enjoy a gaming arcade amid spooky decor, with a live band on hand for entertainment. A costume competition for the most creative outfit has prizes up for grabs, including a Dh500 voucher for Wavehouse or En Fuego; an entry voucher for four people to Aquaventure World; or bowling and arcade credit.
October 25 to November 3; noon-1am; Palm Jumeirah
Al Habtoor Polo Resort, Dubai
The Addams Family will be screened in the hotel’s Abjar Ballroom, alongside spooky face-painting, pumpkin carving and a series of ghoulish games. While the activities are free of charge, an a la carte menu is available.
October 29; from 7pm; Wadi Al Safa 5
City Walk, Dubai
A family-friendly run is taking place at City Walk, combining Halloween chills with Dubai Fitness Challenge thrills. Two routes are available, 2.5km and 5km, and participants are encouraged to dress up, with the most creative runners winning prizes. The fastest 2.5km and 5km finishers will win a stay for two at Rove hotel in City Walk.
November 2; 6.30pm; from Dh55; City Walk; citywalk.ae
Mowsem, Dubai
Dancing wizards, singing princesses and other mystical creatures abound at this child-friendly brunch at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah. The live performances will be complemented by arts and crafts stations, face painting areas and a magic potion show. Adults can enjoy the expansive multi-cuisine buffet and grill, followed by a table-full of desserts.
October 27 to November 3; 1pm-4.30pm; from Dh299 per adult, Dh100 per child; Palm Jumeirah; 04 230 0073
Times Square Centre, Dubai
The community mall is hosting a Broomstick Ball inclusive of a best-dressed costume competition with prizes. Live storytelling is on the cards, with takes of featuring Glinda the good witch and the Wicked Witch of the West enacted on makeshift stages. Themed arts and crafts stations will be scattered across the venue's ground and first floors, as well as trick-or-treat spots and a shows courtesy of Magic Phil.
October 24 to October 27; noon-7pm; Al Quoz; 04 341 8020
Cafe de Palma, Dubai
Both locations of the restaurant, in Dubai Creek Harbour and Palm Jumeirah, are decked out in Halloween decor. On October 26 and 27, children can participate in a ghoulish ginger cookie decorating session. Each participant gets a recipe card and a certificate. Families with dogs can also enter their pets in a costume contest. The Halloween-themed menu, meanwhile, has dishes such as mini cheese pumpkins, spooky black chicken wings and pumpkin panna cotta.
October 26 and 27; from 10am; Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Creek Harbour; 052 334 2175, 052 709 8471
The Green Planet, Dubai
The indoor zoo is transforming into a haunted rainforest for Halloween, offering children and adults an edutainment session on some of the venue's most skin-crawling residents, from cockroaches and geckos to snakes and spiders. Guests can also gather around the Kapok Tree for spooky tales on the legends and mysteries of the rainforest and its animals.
October 20 to November 3; 10am-6pm; from Dh135; City Walk; 800 7699
OliOli, Dubai
The experiential play museum has collaborated with Flying Tiger Copenhagen for its Halloween celebration, offering a packed schedule of activities for nine days. The main event is a scavenger hunt. Roaming characters are also at the ready, from friendly ghosts to mischievous scarecrows. Visitors are encouraged to don their best costumes to win prizes from Flying Tiger.
October 26 to November 3; Monday to Wednesday, 9am-6pm; Thursday, 11am-7pm; Friday and Saturday, 9am-9pm; Sunday, 9am-8pm; from Dh139; Al Quoz; 04 702 7300
Studio One Hotel, Dubai
A family brunch is taking place at the Studio City hotel, which is being transformed into a spooky wonderland. Activities include a scavenger hunt, pumpkin bowling and spooky sack race. Best-dressed guests can win up to Dh1,000 in vouchers to spend at Larte and The Studio One Cinema.
November 2; 1pm-4pm; from Dh749 for two adults and two children; Dubai Studio City; 04 581 687
