Autumn has arrived in Dubai, marking the start of a new season of celebrations. For many expats in the city, Halloween (October 31) is the first in a series of annual rituals that lead into the festive period and New Year’s Eve. The occasion traces its roots to Samhain – the ancient Celtic festival that marked the start of the darker half of the year. Whether you’re drawn to that sense of seasonal shift or simply looking for a reason to dress up, dance late, and celebrate in costume, here are the most considered Halloween parties in Dubai in 2025.
COYA – Cursed Circus
Set within Jumeirah’s exquisite Four Seasons Resort, COYA is where Michelin-guide dining meets buzzy Latin American revelry. On October 31, the restaurant will take a darker, more theatrical turn for its ‘Cursed Circus’ Halloween event, drawing on the visual language of the travelling circus. The evening starts as dinner but evolves steadily into party and performance, with abandoned fairground decor, curated costumes, and a soundtrack from COYA MUSIC’s resident DJs. On the menu: signature Peruvian plates and a set of cocktails created just for the night. While many Halloween events in Dubai tend toward excess and maximalism, this one feels tightly composed, grounded in staging and detail. The invitation extends to costume and makeup.
Zero Gravity – Monster Halloween Party
Costume quite literally becomes currency at Zero Gravity’s annual ‘Monster Halloween Party’, with up to AED 50,000 in prizes for the best dressed. Taking place on October 31, this legacy beach club will transform from sun-soaked poolside venue to an eerie, festival-like spectacle, with fire-dancers, circus performers and a roster of DJs. After the event, a panel of judges will sift through the entrance portraits to award cash prizes across a number of categories, which include best costume, scariest male/female, best couple or group. This isn’t a sit-down dinner like COYA – in typical Zero Gravity fashion, it’s messy and all-out audacious.
Sonara Camp – A Witches’ Halloween Adventure in the Dunes
Deep in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Sonara’s Halloween experience takes its cues from the landscape itself. This upscale, family-friendly celebration centres around an open-fire sunset dinner, with live music and dancing well into the night. Activities are tailored to younger guests – face painting, cookie decorating, and ‘trick or treat’ camel rides – while adults can explore the wider lantern-lit camp. There’s no formal costume requirement, but the styling leans towards the elemental: witches, desert spirits, veils and robes. To make a weekend of it, The Nest by Sonara offers a full weekend experience, with falcon shows at dusk, astronomer-led stargazing, and sunrise camel rides across the dunes.
STK JBR – Various Events
This year, STK JBR is marking Halloween with an eventful three-night run. Tuesday, October 28, opens with a glamorous, gory ladies’ night – the ‘Haunted GRL Dinner’ – featuring a two-course menu, free-flowing drinks, and live entertainment. On the night of Halloween, the spotlight turns to nostalgic R&B with the ‘Death Becomes Rare’ brunch, a Friday-night soiree that delivers exactly what this JBR venue does best: unlimited drinks, a three-course dinner, and dancing on the tables by night’s end. Saturday, November 1, closes the trilogy in a lighter mood, with a glitter-strewn disco brunch soundtracked by 70s and 80s classics. Each night promises high-energy while staying firmly rooted in confident cooking, structured service, and an unmistakable sense of occasion.
Nazcaa – Rooftop Halloween at Nazcaa
Set high above Downtown Dubai with panoramic views of the Burj Khalifa, Halloween at Nazcaa is more fine-dining theatre than festival. On October 31, guests can celebrate the occasion with seasonal cocktails and a themed overlay on Nazcaa’s usual Japanese-Peruvian menu. In terms of mood, expect live performances, languid dining, and a dim, candle-lit ambience where Burj Khalifa views take centre stage. While there’s a costume contest, the tone here is definitely more understated than the likes of Zero Gravity or STK – think velvet masks and creative makeup. The celebrations continue the following Saturday with Nazcaa’s ‘Glamour Affair’, a weekly Japanese-inspired dance show featuring samurai-styled performers and an à la carte menu.
Soul Beach – Spaceman: Aftergrave
Soul Beach is throwing what might be the biggest Halloween party in Dubai this year – a full-scale festival with a line-up of 14 international DJs and performers. Hosted at JA The Resort on October 31, this seafront party spans two main stages with a focus on techno and melodic house. Headliners include Mia Mendi, Tonic Walter, and Lynnic / Its Arius – all debuting in Dubai for the first time. Spaceman is one of Dubai’s most locally loved underground rave events, and those who have been before will know precisely what to expect: dramatic visuals, thumping music, and a crowd with serious stamina. This is a Halloween party you’ll want to dress up for – there’s a AED 10,000 reward for the scariest look.
CÉ LA VI – Forbidden Forest
On November 1, CÉ LA VI will conjure the eerie energy of a winter woodland with its ‘Forbidden Forest’ Halloween brunch. Held on the 54th floor of Address Sky View, the event will transform the rooftop into a shadowy garden above the city, with vine-wrapped structures, dimmed lighting, and a themed brunch menu. Guests are encouraged to dress with the forest motif in mind – dark fabrics, dramatic silhouettes, muted greens and blacks – with an emphasis on elegance rather than satire. As ever with CÉ LA VI, the experience hinges on its setting, defined by glittering Burj Khalifa views, stylised service, and a loyal crowd that comes ready for both the Michelin-guide menu and the late-night party.
Secret Parties – Multiple Locations
Secret Parties is one of Dubai’s most prolific event curators, known for staging upscale brunches and parties across the city. This Halloween, the brand is expanding their usual schedule with a full line-up of themed events, from October 30 through November 1. Highlights on the roster include a “Barbie Possessed” ladies’ day at Praia, a circus-themed brunch at O Beach, and the ever-popular “Bisou Bisou” brunch at FIVE Luxe – all reimagined for Halloween. Each event brings its own theme, but the core format remains the same, with generous drinks, sharing menus, DJ sets, and an emphasis on dressed-up fun. Costumes are optional here – some guests go all in, while others keep it simple with just a nod to the theme.
