That slight chill in the air that beckons the onset of October elsewhere hasn’t arrived yet but pumpkin spice and everything nice is truly filling the air in Dubai. For chills down your spine though, there are a host of Halloween events creeping it real. Dubai Fashion Week is in full swing as are a ton of music festivals and concerts proving that this is the month to be out and about and enjoy it. We’ve put together a handy guide of 18 things to do in Dubai this October so you can fall in love with the fall.
Everyone’s favourite theme park is back with a bang on October 14. The many pavilions, entertainment acts and dining experiences of Global Village will open its doors later this month. While details about what to expect for the entertainment park’s 31st edition have been scant, we’re sure it ought to be mind-blowing.
Attend one of the many stunning Candlelight concerts happening in Dubai this October. It’s your chance to be captivated by instrumental versions of Adele’s soulful ballads, dreamy background scores of beloved Halloween movies and more. Set in spectacular venues such as the Al Majlis Madinat Jumeirah and Waldorf Astoria lit by thousands of LED candles, it’s a night out for the books. Click below for info and tickets.
🪩 Candlelight: Tribute to Fairuz on October 17
🎤 Candlelight: Tribute to Adele on October 17
⛩️ Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics on October 31
🎹 Candlelight: Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons on October 31
Speaking of annual attractions, the world’s largest flower garden, is back in business every October. This year, the 15th season opens on October 8. You can see over 150 million flowers in full bloom and flora and foliage of every kind imaginable manicured and shaped into stunning gravity-defying structures such as a floating lady, an Emirates Airbus 380 and a colossal teddy bear all made of flowers. This is a spot photo-op dreams were made of, so don’t miss it!
A host of theme parks, restaurants and entertainment venues have planned some of the creepiest Halloween celebrations. It’s time to plan your costumes (we already predict endless Beetlejuice and Deadpool and Wolverine outfits) and book yourself into one of these events for a fun time. Full guide here.
Caring for curly, coil-y or lock-filled hair in Dubai comes with a specific set of challenges – hard water, punishing heat, and humidity levels that can undo a routine in minutes. On Saturday, October 10, the Dubai Curl Festival by Oh My Knots will bring the city’s curly-haired community together to tackle exactly that. This one-day festival will bring together expert sessions, live styling demos, wellness activations, brand booths and a Kids’ Curl Corner.
La Casa De Cherries brings 80+ indie brands, 10+ F&B concepts and five workshops to Al Quoz this October. If you’re in the mood for an October browse (and a few bites along the way), Curated Playlist’s La Casa De Cherries returns to Al Quoz from 2–4 October 2026, featuring Emirati, Arab and local businesses.
Listen to Prateek Kuhad’s melodic voice
Prateek Kuhad is bringing his soulful music to Dubai for the opening night of his global Full Moon Chamber Tour. The show follows the release of Full Moon Chamber, Kuhad’s third studio album, written and recorded between New York and LA. Across the record, he moves through love, identity, and emotional transformation, capturing a chapter of both personal and artistic evolution.
Digital art inspired by the eternal beauty of nature will envelop you at the Arte Museum in Dubai Mall. Multi-sensory installations create magical little worlds of light, sound and scent that create instagrammable backdrops. There’s also an Arte Tea Bar you should check out, where drinks and desserts are garnished with media art. Enjoy 50% off your tickets for limited time only.
Hop onto Burberry Beauty’s Platform B pop-up
Burberry Beauty’s Platform B is a temporary, immersive fragrance pop-up experience with first looks at Burberry’s Gold Amber Vanilla Eau de Parfum Intense and the Gold Hair Mist. Designed to look like a vintage British train station dressed in the signature Burberry check, the installation is offering hand-stamped train tickets as you move through individual fragrance stations. Some even say there are free cookies, Polaroid photo opportunities, custom fragrance charms and personalised bottled engravings!
If you’re looking to make the most of Dubai’s sunshine this October without splashing out, there are several pools across the city offering fully redeemable pool days for cheap prices. The infamous Andaliman at One Za’abeel is letting guests lounge at the pool for AED 150 per person (fully redeemable). High Society is offering a fully redeemable pool pass for AED 300 per person and more. Check them out here!
Enjoy Oktoberfest (or Bavarian Bierfest)
Several bars and pubs in Dubai are raising their Oktoberfest flags already. Ernst Biergarten is taking over 25hours Hotel One Central with an authentic indoor alpine beer garden vibe. Expect seasonal hops, pretzel galore and live brass bands with a splash of festive games. BrewDog Bluewaters, on the other hand, is offering island views, themed decor, craft beer tasting boards and special weekend drunch packages for beer lovers. Horse & Hound comes in clutch for hearty Bavarian bites prepared by their resident German chef, with proper draft pours and live entertainment nights – all at Al Habtoor Polo Club.
Head to StickerCon and geek out over cutouts
StickerCon Volume 5 is coming to Dubai’s Al Barsha for two days only. You can meet independent illustrators, designers, and creators from across UAE – selling holographic stickers, art prints, pins, keychains, small figures and more. There’s zero entry fee and no prior registration required for this one, i.e. walk-ins are welcome.
Free short film competition screenings and panel discussions
Bringing together filmmakers, creatives, industry professionals and film lovers for an evening celebrating independent cinema and the people behind it. The season kicks off with “Film It Like You Mean It”, a short film competition spotlighting emerging filmmakers from across the UAE and MENA. Six selected films will be screened and recognised by the Film Society jury, with special awards & prizes. The evening will also feature an industry case study panel on the film “Obsession” by Curry Barker, exploring the realities of bringing independent work to life.
Watch the Amy Winehouse Band live
For those who crave authentic musicianship over generic tribute acts, this is a must-attend evening. Led by Amy Winehouse’s original musical director, Dale Davis, the original band reunites to perform iconic tracks from Frank and Back to Black. It is the perfect night for indie, jazz, and soul lovers wanting a high-quality live music experience.
Rock it out at Bohemia Beach Club’s open-air concerts
Grab your friends and get ready for one of the best outdoor season-opening parties. October 3 at Bohemia Beach Club, the Lost Frequencies is getting behind the deck again with songs like Are You With Me and Where Are You Now. With Sam Oui joining the line-up, expect the energy to build from the first beat through to the headline set. Robin Schulz takes the stage on October 10 with a dance-focused, high-energy evening built around massive global tracks like “Prayer in C” and “Waves”.
Step into Dubai Fashion week for the Spring/Summer 2027-28 collection
The Dubai Fashion Week returns to d3 to showcase the Spring/Summer 2027 collections. While the main runway shows are strictly industry-only, the entire Design District transforms into a hub of street style, pop-up installations, public talks, and brand activations aimed at the Gen Z and Millennial style crowd. It’s the best week of the year to network, people-watch, and absorb the cutting-edge creative energy of Dubai’s local and regional fashion design scene.
Spend the night listening to TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan live
A massive night for the Filipino expat community and fans of soulful acoustic pop and R&B. Real-life couple and musical powerhouses TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan bring their shared tour to Dubai. KZ, known for her edgy style and vocal acrobatics, pairs perfectly with TJ’s smooth, heartfelt singer-songwriter acoustic tracks. The concert promises intimate duets, high-energy solo performances, and a deeply emotional connection with the audience, making it a standout night for live vocal talent.
Catch Alaa Abu Diab’s stand-up
Get ready for a hilariously sharp take on modern Arab life as the brilliant Palestinian comedian Alaa Abu Diab brings his hit stand-up show to the stunning Rajmahal Theatre. Known for his deadpan delivery, astute social commentary, and deeply relatable observations about identity, diaspora, and everyday absurdities, his shows consistently sell out. This is a must-see for Arabic speakers looking for intelligent, culturally specific comedy that goes far beyond generic slapstick.
