Halloween to be widely celebrated in Dubai
Residents and visitors of Dubai will widely celebrate Halloween – the most mystical holiday of the year, the Emirate’s Department of Economy and Tourism said.
Thus, the Centara Dubai Mirage hotel will be covered with the atmosphere of the colourful holiday. Master classes on creating ghost lanterns and Spooky Kids disco will be organised for children. In the evening, guests will be treated to a screening of Monsters on Holiday 2 and The Addams Family, as well as a fire show on the beach.
Free sweets will be available all day at the Time Out Market food hall, and a special Halloween drink will be on the menu. And of course, guests will be treated to themed decorations for memorable photos.
Guests at Sonara Desert Camp’s open-air restaurant will enjoy camel rides in the desert, themed treats, aqua make-up and a fireworks show. Costumes are encouraged.
Until November 4, all Dubai Parks and Resorts parks will offer costume shows, favourite cartoon characters in themed costumes, raffles, festive food and spooky riddles. The Riverland area will feature aliens and a laser show from Wednesday to Sunday until 3 November.
The history of Halloween dates back to the Irish and Scottish Celtic harvest festival Samhain, which was celebrated on the night of 31 October. It marked the beginning of a dark, long and cold winter.
The Celts believed that at this time the doors to the netherworld opened and spirits could appear among the people. To protect themselves, people dressed up in animal skins and performed sacrifices.
After the spread of Christianity, Pope Gregory III announced the celebration of All Saints’ Day on 1 November. The day of 31 October was called All Hallows Evening.
Later the name was transformed into All Hallows’ Eve, from which then appeared the modern name – Halloween. After the mass emigration of the Irish and Scots to the USA, the holiday was spread in this country.
The main symbol of the holiday is a pumpkin lantern with a carved grimace. It was believed to ward off evil spirits. Originally, lanterns were made from turnips. Pumpkins began to be used by English immigrants in North America.
In some countries, on 31 October, children participate in a game of Trick or Treat. They knock on houses and ask, ‘Trick or Treat?’ In response, the residents must give the children sweets or they may do something naughty. To take part in Trick or Treat, children dress up in costumes.
In countries where the holiday is celebrated, homes are also often decorated in advance. The tradition of dressing up in costumes is also popular at Halloween themed parties.
