Halloween

Halloween falls on 31 October and is mostly an evening event in Arab cities where it is observed. In Dubai, Beirut, Cairo and some entertainment venues in Riyadh, hotels, bars, cafes, malls and international schools may decorate entrances with carved pumpkins, black-and-orange arches, fake cobwebs and skeleton props during the last week of October. The day itself can begin with costume rules at schools or themed office desks, then shift toward after-dark parties, restaurant specials and photo booths. It is not a public holiday and not a traditional religious observance in the region; it is mainly a commercial, social celebration concentrated in cosmopolitan neighborhoods and private venues.

What happens depends on the venue. In gated compounds, expat-heavy apartment buildings and some school communities, children may dress as witches, superheroes or ghosts and go door to door for sweets, but street-wide trick-or-treating is limited in many cities. Adults are more likely to meet at brunches, house parties, club nights or themed dinners with costume contests and DJs. Food is usually party food rather than a fixed holiday meal: bowls of candy, cupcakes with spider icing, frosted cookies, popcorn and pumpkin-flavored desserts where available. People commonly say Happy Halloween in English; at Arabic-speaking parties, you may also hear compliments on someone’s costume or makeup.

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