Revealed: Most popular holidays among UAE residents

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Revealed: Most popular holidays among UAE residents

14 per cent respondents in the UAE stated they celebrate Halloween.

By Staff Report

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Published: Mon 29 Oct 2018, 10:25 AM

Last updated: Mon 29 Oct 2018, 1:42 PM

The UAE is a melting pot of cultures and a land of diverse celebration. From festivals to sports championships, concerts to shopping events, there is something for everyone.
Islamic and local holidays like Eid Al Fitr (76 per cent), Eid Al Adha (72 per cent), National Day (59 per cent) and Hijri New Year (48 per cent) are much more popular among the UAE residents as compared to western holidays like Gregorian New Year (59 per cent) and Christmas (34 per cent).
Despite Halloween being a western concept, 14 per cent respondents in the UAE stated celebrating this festival, more so in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While Halloween is most popular among western expats, it appears to be celebrated among all nationality groups, being least popular though among Arab expats.
Interestingly, a higher number of females enjoy the spooky festival, with close to 20 per cent of them participating in Halloween celebrations as compared to 12 per cent of men doing the same.

Wicked ways to celebrate Halloween

Of those who celebrate Halloween, 42 per cent said they enjoy the festival by going out to Halloween-themed places, events or parties. This is a popular practice in Dubai and also with the single population. Of the Halloween- themed places and events frequented by revellers, 3 in 5 people prefer attending private Halloween events/parties to get into the spooky mood, with a higher number of females reporting that. Close to half also flock malls and public events. Theme parks and water parks are the least preferred venues for Halloween celebrations.
Around 1 in 3 people either spend time with family/ friends or go out for a meal with them for a fun Halloween experience. Evidently, singles prefer going out to events/ theme parks and married (with children) like to spend time with family. A quarter (25 per cent) also indicated throwing a party/dinner at home or traveling within the UAE around this time to get into the festive mood.

Trick or treat: Where is the money going?

Halloween is synonymous with costumes, candies and theme parties. The biggest expense for Halloween celebrations is for organising a party (Dh288 on average), followed by buying tickets to events or parties (Dh235 on average) and the least spending goes on costumes (Dh157). Decorations and candies/ treats account to close to Dh175 each. On average people in the UAE spend Dh226 for celebrations, with Emiratis and Arab expats spending the most compared to all other expats.
The spending differs across genders as well. Although women are the more active participants in the celebration, they shell out less money than their male counterparts. A third of men indicated splurging between Dh100-299 while an equal number of women mentioned spending under Dh49 during the festival.
-waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com
 


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