Rave's Top Weekend Picks: 31 October–1 November 2026

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, just as Dubai Fitness Challenge gets underway. A busy weekend, then. We've picked six things worth making time for across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from homegrown food at What The Food and the final days of Beauty Unbound to a free wellness morning and a particularly good reason to head to Umm Suqeim.

1. What The Food at Alserkal Avenue

What The Food returns to Alserkal Avenue for its fifth edition, with this year’s theme, Khubz wa Milh (bread and salt), celebrating homegrown brands and makers. One debut to look out for is SNAP, a Dubai-born hot dog brand from German chef Robin Höfer, who has worked in MICHELIN-starred kitchens. Its sausages are made in-house using beef or chicken, with three launch dogs on the menu, including a German Dog served in a homemade pretzel bun.

Also worth a stop is HalaPop, the UAE-made prebiotic soda brand pouring complimentary samples of all five flavours, from Pomegranate Hibiscus to Cherry Cola. Visitors can try the Make It Pop challenge, stopping a timer at exactly 10.00 seconds to win prizes, including totes personalised on the spot. Founders Karim Jalloul and Walid Antabli will be at the stand throughout the weekend.

When: Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, 10am to 10pm

Price: Free entry; SNAP hot dogs AED 58, combo AED 89

Where: Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai

More info: What The Food | HalaPop 

2. Halloween at The Little Fox

The steak-and-frites truck from the team behind Rowley’s is marking Halloween with a special menu all weekend: Bloody Sauce, a tangy tomato sauce with a hint of spice, and Nori Fries seasoned with seaweed. The first 50 guests each day at each location receive an extra 100g of steak. At Alserkal Avenue, there’s also a limited-edition Australian Wagyu Beef Katsu Sando for What The Food, available while stocks last.

When: Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November; the sando is available Saturday and Sunday only

Price: Halloween items at regular menu prices; Wagyu Beef Katsu Sando AED 80

Where: Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, and Al Qana, Abu Dhabi

3. Beauty Unbound at Palm Jumeirah Mall

This is the final weekend of Beauty Unbound, which has turned Palm Jumeirah Mall into a travel-themed beauty airport. Visitors can try the Dyson Supersonic Travel and Airsmooth, discover Jo Malone London’s Sea Salt & Bergamot, play games at Tower 28’s SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray booth, and browse favourites from KIKO Milano.

When: Until Sunday 1 November; 10am to midnight Saturday, 10am to 10pm Sunday

Price: Free

Where: Palm Jumeirah Mall, Dubai

More info: palmjumeirahmall.ae/beautyunbound

4. Kcal x IFZA Halloween Stretch & Heal

For a gentler start to Halloween, Kcal and IFZA are hosting a morning of yoga, Pilates and sound healing, finished with healthy Halloween treats from Kcal. It falls on the opening day of Dubai Fitness Challenge, and guests can join the full programme or drop in for individual sessions. Places are limited to 70, so register in advance.

When: Saturday 31 October, 9am to 12pm

Price: Free; registration required

Where: IFZA Business Park, Building A2, Dubai Silicon Oasis

Register: wkf.ms/4yNZI2L 

5. Backyard Movie Brunch at Lakeview

Lakeview’s Backyard Movie Brunch returns this Sunday and runs every Sunday after that. Expect an international buffet with live cooking stations, family films on large outdoor screens and live entertainment, with views across Dubai Creek and the golf course. Children get their own buffet and activities.

When: Every Sunday from 1 November, 1pm to 4pm

Price: AED 195 per person, AED 95 for children aged 6 to 12; under-sixes free

Where: Lakeview, Dubai Creek Resort, Dubai

Book: dubaicreekresort.com/lakeview 

6. Mama Crumble at Ripe Market

Mama Crumble, Dubai’s first homegrown British crumble bakehouse, has settled in at Ripe Market for an eight-month residency. Mother and daughter Yasmin and Zoya Kidwai make it the traditional way: apples cooked with cinnamon, a buttery shortbread crumble and vanilla bean custard. Pots can be topped with a custard brûlée or homemade granola, there’s a mixed berry crumble exclusive to Ripe Market, and matcha and coffee are now on the menu too.

When: Daily

Where: Ripe Market, Academy Park, Umm Suqeim, Dubai

More info: mamacrumble.com 

Making Saturday day one of your 30x30? Read our guide to Dubai Fitness Challenge 2026, and for more ideas, see 13 Spooky Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Dubai 2026.