Top Things to Do Across the UAE This October 2026

October is when the UAE's calendar starts filling up again, from the return of Global Village and a packed Dubai Comedy Festival to outdoor films, Halloween events, Korean culture, live music and a major arts programme in Abu Dhabi. Whether you're looking for something free, family-friendly or worth making a weekend of, these are the events and experiences to have on your radar this month.

noon Beauty Fest brings 13 skincare brands to Dubai Festival City

If you prefer trying skincare before buying it, noon is bringing its beauty offering offline for the first time with a three-day skincare festival at Dubai Festival City Mall. The event brings 13 brands including CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, Medicube, Cetaphil, ISDIN, Vichy, AXIS-Y, Abib and VT Cosmetics together under one roof, with visitors able to test products, learn about ingredients, speak to beauty experts and pick up samples and offers. Products can also be purchased directly through the noon app, while the different brand booths will have games and giveaways throughout the weekend.

When: October 23 from 7 PM onwards and 24, 25 Oct from 4 PM until midnight

Where: Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall

Price: Free entry

Booking: No booking required

Global Village returns for Season 31

Global Village returns on October 14 for Season 31, bringing together 29 pavilions representing more than 90 cultures. New and refreshed experiences include the Sri Lanka Pavilion, a combined Russia and Azerbaijan Pavilion, updated Syria and Kuwait pavilions, and a redesigned Gardens of the World. Food is another reason to visit, with more than 250 dining options, including new concepts serving Turkish, Levantine and Egyptian cuisine. There are also more than 200 attractions, alongside new shows such as Bollywood Idol and Bank Heist. Later in the season, thrill-seekers can look forward to Tokyo Rush, a new roller coaster. Families can also pick up the new Season 31 Passport and Kids Passport, with stamping stations across the pavilions.

When: From Wednesday, October 14, at 6pm; open until May 2027

Where: Global Village, Dubai

Booking: Check the official Global Village website for tickets and season information.

Dubai Comedy Festival brings a month of stand-up

Dubai Comedy Festival returns with a line-up spanning international and regional names including Mo Gilligan, Vir Das, Katherine Ryan, Munawar Faruqui, Zarna Garg and Munawar Faruqui, alongside a series of smaller-format shows. Among them are Ahmed Ahmed & Friends on October 9, Pitch Them Perfect from October 9 to 15, and an Arabic Crowd Work Show on October 16 at Pepperoni Comedy Club. Families can also catch the Short + Sweet Comedy Junior Finale on October 10, where comedians aged 12 to 18 compete for the 2026 Junior Champion title.

When: Throughout October; Pepperoni Comedy Club shows run 9–18 October

Where: Various venues across Dubai, including Pepperoni Comedy Club

Tickets: From AED 125

Booking: dubaicomedyfest.ae

Watch environmental films at Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival

The fifth edition of Abu Dhabi's Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival takes place at NYU Abu Dhabi this month under the theme “Mend”. The programme moves beyond traditional environmental documentaries, with the Gulf premiere of Werner Herzog's Ghost Elephants, Fungi: Web of Life, narrated by Björk, and a restored 4K screening of the Indian classic Manthan. There is also a screening of Sara Dosa's Oscar-nominated Fire of Love and a masterclass with the filmmaker, alongside a family-focused animation programme.

When: 9–11 October 2026

Where: Blue Hall, NYU Abu Dhabi

Tickets: Through the NYUAD Arts Center

Watch films under the stars in JLT

Jumeirah Lakes Towers has brought its year-round events together under the new JLT Calendar, and the programme starts in October with Cinema Under the Stars. Every Saturday evening, Cluster Q Park becomes an outdoor cinema showing blockbuster and animated films, with Halloween and Christmas-themed screenings later in the season. Bring your own mat, seating and snacks, or upgrade to a beanbag and popcorn for AED 30. The month finishes with a free Halloween community celebration at JLT Park Amphitheatre.

When: Cinema Under the Stars, every Saturday from 3 October 2026; Halloween, 31 October

Where: Cluster Q Park and JLT Park Amphitheatre, Dubai

Price: Free; AED 30 for the beanbag and popcorn upgrade

View the full calendar and event information at jlt.ae/calendar 

Spend Halloween weekend at Snoopy Beats: Milkshake Ranch

Snoopy Beats returns to Fujairah for Halloween weekend, transforming Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort into the Milkshake Ranch from October 30 to November 1. This year's theme leans into retro Americana, with a denim-and-diamonds aesthetic spread across the resort, four music stages and a mix of international artists, regional talent, food, art and immersive experiences. The full line-up is still to be announced, but tickets and room packages are already on sale, making this one to book early if you're planning a Halloween staycation.

When: 30 October–1 November 2026

Where: Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort, Fujairah

Booking: snoopybeats.com

Put your general knowledge to the test at The Barrel

For something more low-key, The Barrel at Vida Creek Beach has launched a weekly Wednesday quiz night in collaboration with NOYZ. Rather than a traditional sit-down pub quiz, the evening mixes speed quizzing, music bingo, live games and interactive challenges, with prizes ranging from meals and cocktails to Jack Daniel's merchandise. There is no cover charge, and a dedicated bites menu and Happy Hour run alongside the games.

When: Every Wednesday, 8pm–10pm

Where: The Barrel, Vida Creek Beach, Dubai Creek Harbour

Price: Free entry

Booking: +971 54 581 1386

Mark Pinktober with brunch and a wellness talk

Vivaldi at Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers is marking Pinktober with two Saturday brunches and a complimentary wellness talk. The October 3 and 10 brunches pair an Italian-inspired buffet with live music, while the October 16 session brings a medical expert to the hotel's ballroom for a wellness discussion, with light bites and refreshments. The brunch offers a more traditional afternoon outing, while the talk is open to those looking for something centred on awareness and wellbeing.

When: Brunch, 3 and 10 October, 1 pm–4 pm; Wellness Talk, 16 October, 11 am–3 pm

Where: Vivaldi, Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers

Brunch: AED 255 with soft beverages; AED 375 with house beverages; AED 125 for children aged 6–12

Booking: +971 4 207 1717 or email vivaldi.reservations@sheraton.com or visit website

The Fridge Concert Series celebrates its 50th season

The Fridge Concert Series is marking its 50th season this October with three new line-ups showcasing original music from the region, followed by a free anniversary show bringing some of the platform’s former artists back for one night. The series runs every Tuesday at The Fridge Warehouse, with PeachPuffs and The Draft opening the season on October 6, That’s Julian and Josh Job on October 13, and Egyptian indie band Salalem making their UAE debut alongside Wetgrass on October 20. The October 27 Season 50 Special will bring back Concert Series alumni for collaborations and extended jams, with the artists to be announced. The Fridge has been supporting independent music in the UAE since 2007, making this a particularly good month to catch some of the region’s newer original acts.

When: October 6, 13, 20 and 27; shows 8 pm

Where: The Fridge Warehouse, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Price: From AED 70 for October 6, 13 and 20; October 27 is free

Booking: thefridge.me or Platinumlist

October 27: Free entry, but registration is required

Try Ladurée's beauty-inspired pâtisserie collaboration

Ladurée UAE and beauty brand Sorbé have teamed up on a collection inspired by some of the skincare brand's signature flavours. From October 1, the menu includes rose and lychee sorbet, three individual pâtisseries built around caramel, pomegranate and rose lychee, a collagen-infused fruit slushie and a limited-edition Rose Lychee Macaron. The collaboration also comes in macaron boxes of eight, 12, 18 and 24 pieces, combining the new flavour with Ladurée classics.

When: Daily from 1 October 2026

Where: Ladurée, across all outlets in the UAE

Price: From AED 39

For more information: Ladurée UAE 

Go full Halloween at LEGOLAND Dubai

LEGOLAND Dubai turns into a playground of LEGO monsters from October 7, with its Halloween programme running through November 2. Families can follow a HARIBO Brick or Treat trail, hunt for hidden ghosts in MINILAND, build pumpkins and Halloween creatures, meet LEGO Monsters and join the V.I.M. Dance Party. There is also a Halloween-themed 4D film, seasonal food and activities at LEGOLAND Hotel for families extending the visit into an overnight stay.

When: 7 October–2 November 2026

Where: LEGOLAND Dubai

Price: AED 330 at the gate; AED 295 online

Abu Dhabi Festival opens its October programme

Abu Dhabi Festival returns this month with a programme spanning orchestral music, opera, ballet and contemporary performance. The October programme opens on October 10 with the UAE National Orchestra at Etihad Arena, conducted by François López-Ferrer with pianist David Khrikuli. Later in the month, the Festival Recital Series heads to the Zayed National Museum on October 30 for a performance by Emirati cellist Elham Al Marzooqi and pianist Sooyeon Jun. The wider festival continues into November and December, but these are the October dates to know.

When: 10 and 30 October 2026

Where: Etihad Arena and Zayed National Museum, Abu Dhabi

Booking: abudhabifestival.ae

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