The Sassy Mama Guide To Halloween in Dubai 2015

Eye of newt and toe of frog… it’s almost time for the spookiest time of year, mamas – so prepare to get your freak on and treat yourselves and the little devils to a terrifyingly good time.

Whether you’re looking for a date night with a difference or some themed fun for the kids, we’ve rounded up a cauldron full of Dubai’s best Halloween events and ideas.

Date

A scary movie with the other half = the perfect date night (time to get cute and cosy on the sofa mamas). Take it up a notch this year with a trip to the cinema or the theatre and get in the Halloween mood.

The Woman In Black at The Madinat Theatre
Quite possibly the scariest thing we’ve ever seen – take a pillow to hide behind and don’t sit on the aisle if you get spooked easily…the perfect way to get yourself scared and prepared for halloween.

Knock Knock at cinemas across the UAE
A horror film with a seductive twist – bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Eat

These places have the recipe for a haunting Halloween feast.

Casa de Tapas, Brujas Ladies Night, Tuesday, 27 October
Fancy an evening of witchcraft and wizardry mamas? Grab your gal pals for ladies night with a difference – the witching hour begins at 8pm and finishes at midnight – until when you can feast on complimentary maleficent tapas paired with free-flowing Sangria infused by the Devil himself. Yikes!

Casa de Tapas, Halloween Brunch, Friday, 30 October
There’s nothing like a good old fire burning explosion to get the party started – especially when it comes with the promise of a good drink (if that’s your thing). Sip a traditional Queimada potion to rid yourself of bad spirits that lay in wait. For all lost souls who don fancy dress for the occasion, complimentary more Queimada potion after brunch will ensure the party keeps going until the sun goes down and the ghosts come out…
From 12:30to 4pm AED199 for Food and Soft Beverages, AED249 for Food, House Spirits, Beer and Wine and AED299 with the addition of Bubbly.

RIVA, Halloween menu, Saturday, 31 October
Enjoy an evening of haunting dishes, wicked brews and mysterious chic at the Palm’s boutique beach club this Halloween. A halloween set menu (from AED 225) will take you on a frightful journey including Witches Brew, Black Ravioli in Blood sauce and Slow Braised Beef Ribs and ending with the ghostly Graveyard Cake. Got the little monsters in tow? treat them to a kids menu (AED 65) and a few treats (or tricks). Expect ghoulish surprises throughout the night and a resident DJ spinning eerie tunes.

Okku, L.O.V.E Sunday, 1 November
A Halloween party like no other, mamas – with delicious food to boot (if you haven’t been to Okku yet then go, immediately – and read our full review here). Expect a theatrical transformation of the venue, combined with the best of gothic finery and much more.

Play

Who needs an excuse for a little playtime fun mamas?

Cheeky Monkeys halloween play, Thursday, 29 October
A haunted house, arts & crafts plus tricks and treats – there’s loads going on at Cheeky Monkeys and we want in. Best dressed kiddos win a prize too!
Contact events@cheekymonkeys.com to reserve your child’s place.

Eggspectation, Halloween Themed Event, Monday, 26 October
Get the littles dressed up and feeling freakish for Eggspectation’s spooky event that promises to deliver a whole load of treats – and not too many tricks.
Event is from 3pm – 5pm
AED 90 per child

Halloween at BookMunch Cafe, Thursday, 29 October
Let the little ones have a frighteningly fun time at BookMunch Cafe this Halloween. From scary stories to pumpkin carving, face-painting to ghostly decorations plus a stash of delicious treats – there will be plenty for everyone to enjoy – mama included. BookMunch will also be offering a spook-tacular dinner with a Halloween theme and choices including pumpkin soup, witch hair and monster eyeballs, and mummy sausages with ghost mash in a haunted forest. We dare you to be there.
Story Time starts at 4pm, Dinner will be served at 5pm
AED 120 per child

Halloween Crafting at the Park House Cafe, Kite Beach, Thursday 29 October
Join Kenzibox for a fun afternoon of creepy, spooky, scary crafting!
Suitable for 3-8 year olds
3pm -6pm 
AED 50 per child

Fairmont The Palm Falcon Kids Club Halloween Party, Thursday 29th & Friday 30th October
Calling all monsters – Dubai’s very famous magician Magic Phil has a spooky edition of his fab show at the Fairmont this Halloween. There’ll also be face painting, trick or treating around the pool, themed games and a fancy dress competition.
Suitable for 4 – 9 year olds
4pm – 6pm
AED 200 per child, advance booking recommended

Halloween Crafting at the Change Initiative, Friday 30 October
Join Kenzibox for a fun afternoon of creepy, spooky, scary crafting!
Suitable for 3-8 year olds
9.30am – 12.30pm 
AED 50 per child 

Caboodle, Spooktacular event, Saturday, 31 October
We’re big fans of this play centre – especially the Dubai Mall branch (because a visit means a little shopping time too). Kids aged 1 – 12 years will be treated to a halloween extravaganza complete with loot bag decorating, live cartoon characters and a trick-or-treat tour around neighbouring stores for vampire lollipops and other yummies. Expect the kids to have lots of fun and a bucket full of treats to take home.
4pm – 9pm
AED 125 per kiddo for 2 hours.

Dress Up

Which kiddo doesn’t love dressing up?! From ghosts, zombies and vampires to witches, werewolves and favourite cartoon characters, anything goes. And there are loads of places to pick up a costume for your little monsters.

• Pottery Barn has the works, from faux pumpkins, crows and ceramic skulls to softer looking items like cute pumpkin patch pillows. Your littlies will also get to choose from a wide array of costumes that will put a big smile on their face. And yours.
• H&M have the most adorable range of costumes and clothing (for kids who just want a hint of halloween without going the whole shebang). We love their skeleton print leggings and printed ‘chillin’ with my zombies’ glow-in-the-dark tees.
• Kids grow out of clothes so fast, and mamas, we don’t always have space to keep a collection of costumes in the closet. Mr Bens Costume Closet allows you to rent from a really unique selection of outfits for grown-ups and kiddos.
• What do you want to be this Halloween? Party Zone will grant your wish. Fairies, hippies and animals – they have it all.
• Creative Minds stock everything from costumes to party supplies – check out one of their 2 stores and pick up all your goodies.
• Party World is another fab option for your Halloween classics – from toddler costumes to home decor, just head over to the store to be inspired.
• Toys R Us is sure to stock the perfect outfit for your little one, with plenty of cartoon-themes, superheroes and more.
• Whatever Disney spell your junior is under, allow them to live the dream this Halloween. What better place to look than the Disney Store?
• Mamas and Papas has some of the cutest fancy dress, trick or treat bags, some goodies to put around the house to get into the spirit and more! Head to one of many of their outlets in Dubai and let the shopping begin.

If your kids love dressing up at Halloween then why not capture the moment by booking a kids dress up halloween party at The Studio Dubai before Saturday, 31 October and receive a 10% discount on a 90 minute photo shoot and images. For more information Call +971 (0)4 3471745 and quote #Spookyhalloween.

And for the mamas? We’re just not that into revealing the skeletons in our closet or perfecting the pumpkin look. For something a little more sassy, we’ve found the perfect little black dress combo. Top it off with nail art from SoH in Galleria Mall and you’ll have everyone running scared.

Bebe Lace Back Cut-out Gown, AED 795 at www.Sivvi.com

Pair with cobweb like Bebe Taline Laser-Cut Booties, AED 735 at www.Sivvi.com

Decorate

Transform your home into the spookiest on the block. All the party stores and supermarkets will sell everything from fake cobwebs to plastic skeletons but if you want something a little more subtle then deck your place out in some wickedly cool accessories.

• Head to Zara Home, to pick up ghoulishy good accessories from skull candles to tumblers and glasses (above) for spine-chilling drinks.
• Ikea home stocks all the basics for a reasonable price. Pick up some orange balloons to create floating pumpkins or grab cheap and cheerful orange and black sheets to use as tablecloths.
• Head over to Home Centre to find your A-Z of home decor. From wall art to funky mirrors – all you need is a good eye and a dollop of imagination.

Treat

Let’s ignore the tricks  – for us, halloween is all about the treats. From cupcakes to chocolates, there are some delicious options out there whether you’re planning to fill loot bags or looking to serve spooky petit fours.

Magnolia Bakery spook-tacular cupcakes
Chocolate, vanilla, buttercream, ganache – need we say more? From cupcakes to full sized gateaux, they’re totally yummy and look gorgeously ghoulish too.

Halloween collection by Cocosia Artisan Chocolates
Tasty, naughty and a little bit scary. From spiders to witches hats – they look good and taste even better.

Sugarmoo’s devilishly sweet halloween collection
Ghost-inspired s’mores anyone? Or perhaps a halloween cookie or spooky brownie ball is more your thing (come on, don’t pretend they’re for the kids). These desserts will help you get your spook on and blow the diet for a day.

Babysouk gifts at scary prices
It doesn’t all have to come laden with sugar, mamas. If you’re looking for some less temporary treats then visit babysouk.com/offers for amazing discounted prices on end of line brands delivered to you on the back of a witches broom (aka courier).

Have a ghoulishly good time mamas!