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 22 things to do in Dubai this October so you can fall in love with fall.
1. Travel the world at Global Village’s 29th season
Everyone’s favourite theme park is back with a bang on October 16 at 6pm. 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 29th edition have been scant, we’re sure it will be mind-blowing considering the 2023-2024 edition saw 27 pavilions highlight 90 cultures, over 3,500 shopping outlets, 250 dining options and 400 odd entertainment shows. Get your tickets here
2. Tiptoe through the tulips at Dubai Miracle Garden
Speaking of annual attractions, the world’s largest flower garden, is back in business every October. Dates for 2024 haven’t been confirmed yet. 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! Find our full guide here
3. Funny women fight against Breast Cancer at this comedy show
The Dubai-based comedy collective is hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness comedy night on October 6 featuring five homegrown female comedians. The Mina and Friends go Pink show at Paramount Hotel Midtown will see host Mina Liccione joined by Saaniya Abbas, Liz Bains, Noha Bashir and Yara Abou Dalha Ghoussoub knocking you out with punchlines. Palestinian poet Abeer Alaloul and singers Bridgette Angelique and La Rudche will also perform. A Breast Cancer awareness booth and free vouchers for testing will be available at the show. Minimum spend of one beverage or dish per person.
Get tickets here; from 7pm
4. Rock out at this tribute music festival in Dubai
Irish Village Garohoud will come alive with music by not one, not two but over 18 fantastic artists and bands on October 19 during Trib Fest. This music festival featuring tribute acts pays homage to some of the greatest musicians and bands is returning to Dubai for the 3rd time and they’ve got a jam-packed setlist planned. From headbanging to Queen’s We Will Rock You and Arctic Monkey’s Do I Wanna Know?, enjoying pop hits by Maroon 5 and Kylie Minogue to losing yourself to rock anthems by Led Zepplin and Guns ‘N’ Roses, this concert covers all the bases.
Get tickets from AED 200
5. Watch Backstreet Boys back in concert in the UAE
Okay this isn’t technically in Dubai but would you seriously not Get Down to Abu Dhabi for this? On October 23 , Backstreet Boys will take over the capital’s Etihad Arena with their DNA World Tour. Fans of 90s pop music can kick it old-school with evergreen hits such as I Want It That Way, Quit Playing Games and more recent tracks like Let It Be Me. More details here.
6-16. Spook yourself silly at these Halloween events
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.
17-20. Let the music take control at these Candlelight concerts
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 Anime movies and more. Set in spectacular venues such as the Raffles The Palm and Souk Madinat Jumeirah lit by thousands of LED candles, it’s a night out for the books. Click below for info and tickets.
🪩 Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA on October 5
🎤 Candlelight: Tribute to Adele on October 5
⛩️ Candlelight: A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi, October 13
🎹 Candlelight: Chopin’s Best Works, October 13
21. See upcoming musical talent at The Fridge Concert Series
Alserkal Avenue’s musical incubator and performance venue, The Fridge, is known for their annual concert series that provides a platform to musical talent in the UAE, surrounding countries and overseas too. The 44th season of The Fridge Concert Series runs from October 1 – October 22 with a concert every Tuesday. Expect stupendous performance by Jazz hip-hop drummer David Sagamon on October 1. Dream pop duo WYWY will trasnport you on October 8. On October 15, singer-songwriter Chinua Hawk will serenade you with powerful voice that backed up Celine Dion in Madison Square Garden. Molham, the emerging Arabic pop icon from Jeddah performs on October 22.
AED 60 per person; get tickets here
22. Let humour cast a spell on you at this magic comedy show
Hocus pocus meets humour at the Get Tricky: Ash Rose Magic show. Abracadabrahaha your way through the 2-hour show headlined by Ash Rose, the UAE’s only stand-up comedy magician. He’ll be joined on stage on October 5 at the Citymax Hotel Al Barsha by three other local comics who’ll mesmerise you with their wit. Get tickets here.