Howl-o-ween 2026

Howl-o-ween in Dubai is the neighbourhood Halloween for people who would rather spend the day in costume over coffee than queue for a haunted house. On Saturday 31 October 2026, Stomping Grounds in Jumeirah 1 invites kids, grown-ups and dogs to turn up dressed for the occasion, with treats for everyone in costume, a competition with a category just for dogs and a BBQ menu running across the weekend.

The costumes, competition and Halloween treats run all day, so whether your household is up with the sun or prefers a late lunch, there is room to drop in when it suits.

About Howl-o-ween at Stomping Grounds

Stomping Grounds is a café in a Jumeirah villa, Villa 98 on 12D Street at the corner of 51st Street, with outdoor seating, Wi-Fi and dine-in or takeaway service. For Halloween it is keeping things simple and sweet. There are no scares and no stage show. The draw is the dressing up, and the café rewards it generously.

The post announcing the day puts it in three words: “Kids, grown-ups, dogs.” That pretty much sums up the crowd. Expect little superheroes after their hot chocolate, grown-ups in costume after their coffee, and dogs in fancy dress ready for their moment in the competition.

Costume Treats for Kids, Grown-Ups and Dogs

Turn up in costume and the café has something waiting for you. According to Stomping Grounds:

• Grown-ups in costume receive a complimentary espresso-based coffee.
• Children in costume receive a babyccino or a kids’ hot chocolate, plus a chocolate goodie bag.
• Adults who share a photo from their visit, tag @stompinggroundsdxb and show the post to the team get a gooey chocolate cookie or muffin with their coffee.

It is a lovely incentive for families to make a bit of an effort, and the social media bonus means it is worth taking a few photos before the coffee arrives. Lay the costumes out the night before and the youngest members of the family will be first in line for their goodie bag.

The Costume Competition: Dogs Welcome

The costume competition is where Howl-o-ween earns its name. Prizes are awarded across three age groups, and dogs count as one of them. So this is the rare Halloween contest where your four-legged friend is competing on equal terms with the rest of the family.

The best-dressed adult wins a dining voucher for two, which gives grown-ups a decent reason to commit to the costume rather than throwing on cat ears at the last minute. If you are dressing your dog, choose something comfortable and easy to remove in case they get warm, and bring water and a lead.

BBQ Specials on 31 October and 1 November

The food side of the weekend stretches beyond Halloween itself. Stomping Grounds is firing up the grill for BBQ specials between 9am and 4pm on both Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November. The two dishes named are a BBQ Brekkie and a Steak Sandwich, both grilled fresh.

That makes Sunday a handy back-up if Halloween day is already packed, though the costume perks and competition are tied to the Saturday. If you want the full Howl-o-ween experience, plan for the 31st and come back on the 1st if the Steak Sandwich has won you over.

Who It Is For and Tips for Your Visit

Howl-o-ween is aimed at local families, neighbours and dog owners. It suits parents of little ones who are too young for late-night parties, friends after a relaxed Halloween breakfast and anyone who wants to fit a bit of seasonal fun around other weekend plans. There is no ticket needed for the event itself; you simply order what you would like to eat and drink.

A few practical pointers:

• The café is open 7:30am to 11pm daily, and its Early Coffee Bar opens at 7:30am for takeaway and dine-in.
• The Halloween costume treats and competition run 9am to 9pm on Saturday 31 October.
• To book a table, call +971 4 344 4451; the café notes that reservations are subject to conditions.
• The café lists parking, a prayer room and outdoor seating among its facilities.

Saturday mornings in Jumeirah can be busy, so call ahead if you are coming as a larger group. And keep your phone handy, both for the competition and for that cookie or muffin.

Looking for more gentle Halloween plans for little ones? Browse our kids’ events in Dubai, and see the rest of the city’s weekend line-up in things to do in Dubai. For more ideas this week and next, try things to do in October and things to do in November. If a costumed coffee run with the kids and the dog sounds like the perfect Halloween, head to Stomping Grounds on 31 October and let the family, paws included, show off their outfits.