Halloween lands on a Saturday in 2026, and Abu Dhabi has treated it as an excuse to fill an entire weekend with themed events. Whether you're in the capital with kids, teens or a group of adults who take costume competitions seriously, there's a packed programme running from Friday, October 30 through November 1.
Yas Island is the centre of gravity. W Abu Dhabi is running a full-day programme on October 31: a B.I.G. Brunch at Garage Restaurant (from Dhs390), an after-party at Rush Sports Bar (Dhs145), and a Midnight Ritual Halloween Party at W Lounge from 10pm (Dhs299 gents, Dhs149 ladies), with best-dressed prizes including hotel stays. Nearby, Marcella at Yas Bay Waterfront puts a Spanish-Latin spin on its Sábado Social Brunch (Dhs259-Dhs450), MIKA at Yas Marina runs a Riviera evening brunch from 7pm with dining vouchers up to Dhs500 for the best costume, and Crafty Fox at Yas Links hosts a one-day Día de Muertos celebration with La Patrona — unlimited Mexican food and mariachi from Dhs199, kids Dhs50.
The most unusual event might be at Central, Yas Bay: the city's first alcohol-free Halloween brunch aimed specifically at 12 to 15-year-olds, on Friday, October 30. Dhs200 buys a supervised afternoon with a live DJ, bowling, Dhs100 of arcade credit and a musical bingo session next door at Lock, Stock & Barrel. Parents get a full information pack with check-in details and consent forms.
Families with younger kids have options too. Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall has turned its indoor snow park into a Spooktacular Village until November 1 — from Dhs165 you get an escape challenge, unlimited rides, face painting, a magic show and a hot chocolate. SeaWorld on Yas Island runs Spooky SEAson daily until November 1, with a trick-or-treat treasure hunt and themed shows; online tickets start at Dhs375, or Dhs270 for Emirates NBD cardholders.
For grown-ups, the pickings are similarly rich. MICHELIN Selected Maté hosts an adults-only Asado Libre Brunch with Argentinian grills and a live DJ (Dhs495-Dhs725), while Park Hyatt's Brunch at The Park adds five live BBQ stations, sushi, caviar and Camp Hyatt kids' activities (Dhs295-Dhs825). Nalu on Al Hudayriyat Island does a coastal Surf Brunch from Dhs235 that's pet-friendly, The Overlook at The WB Hotel brings Latin food and live music on the Friday night, and COYA caps the weekend with Cursed Circus After Dark — themed cocktails, live performances and DJs from 9pm. Ladurée, meanwhile, has a pumpkin-orange Mystery Macaron (Dhs16) and a 12-piece Halloween box (Dhs261) if you'd rather take your spooky season to go.
For travellers, this is a good reminder that Abu Dhabi has quietly become a solid shoulder-season half-term destination: flights are cheaper than peak winter, hotel brunch culture is in full swing, and the city's big attractions — SeaWorld, the snow park, the beaches — all run special programming around late October. Book brunch packages ahead, since the popular ones on Yas Island sell out, and pack a costume if you want a shot at those voucher prizes.
