A New Halloween Spirit in Riyadh – Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Transformation

Halloween in Saudi Arabia: Arabs dress up in spooky attire; internet is divided

Riyadh’s Youth Embrace Halloween as Saudi Arabia Navigates Tradition and Transformation

A New Halloween Spirit in Riyadh

In October 2022, the streets of Riyadh pulsed with an unusual energy. Halloween was once considered a foreign and pagan holiday. It transformed Saudi Arabia’s capital into a city of costumes, eerie lights, and horror-themed decorations. For young Saudis like Yaser al-Hazzazi and his cousin Yahya, the celebration was both surreal and thrilling. They grew up in a nation that, only a few years ago, raided Halloween parties. At that time, public costume-wearing was seen as controversial. They never imagined donning mummy outfits and mingling with a crowd of devils, ghouls, and even bunny-eared partygoers.

Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman began his Vision 2030 campaign, Saudi Arabia has seen a remarkable shift. Social restrictions once taken for granted have been lifted. These included bans on women driving, enforced gender segregation, and prohibitions against movie theaters. Everyday life has been radically altered. What once would have been deemed “sinful” is now viewed as a new form of entertainment and self-expression.

To be clear, Riyadh’s celebration wasn’t technically a Halloween festival. It was promoted as a “horror weekend” in line with local sensitivities. Conveniently, it coincided with Halloween. This allowed residents to enjoy the holiday’s spirit without any official reference to the celebration itself. This new cultural flexibility marked a bold shift for a kingdom historically bound by conservative Islamic traditions.

For Yaser, Yahya, and other young Saudis, the event offered a rare opportunity to express themselves in ways once unimaginable. The cousins crafted makeshift mummy costumes with medical gauze from a local pharmacy. They used Vimto, a sweet, red drink commonly enjoyed during Ramadan. This playful creativity showed Saudi Arabia’s youth eager to embrace global customs. They adapt these traditions within their own cultural context.

The event also revealed Saudi Arabia’s duality as it embarks on this modern transformation. Places like Riyadh Boulevard City are booming with life. They are filled with music and costumes. There is even the occasional glimpse of rebellious French maid or wizard outfits. On the other hand, the kingdom’s social relaxation contrasts sharply with its political rigidity. The crown prince’s reforms promote a more open society. Still, there has been an intensifying clampdown on dissent. Influencers, activists, and even royals have landed in prison for voicing criticism.

For many, Halloween offered a chance to try on costumes and personas. Abdulaziz Khaled and Reema al-Jaber, both 23, had only seen these in movies. Abdulaziz eagerly awaited his wizard costume. Reema debated between being a white or black-winged angel. Their excitement illustrated the appetite for new experiences among Saudi Arabia’s younger generation. They represent 58% of the population.

Halloween Celebration in Saudi Arabia

Storefronts and costume shops were packed, and a festive chaos reigned over the city. Riyadh Boulevard City was styled after New York’s Times Square. It became a Halloween haven with costumed revelers posing before branded logos. Visitors dined under decorative cobwebs. Meanwhile, Party Experts, a popular costume store, was mobbed with customers, prompting midnight mini-raves for its employees after hours.

Underneath the fun lies a broader cultural reflection. Halloween in Riyadh highlights the increasing tension between social liberalization and political conservatism in Saudi Arabia. For some young Saudis, these government-sponsored events feel like a diversion from economic and political struggles. High youth unemployment and limited freedoms stay pressing issues. Still, these occasional releases serve as an outlet, allowing people to momentarily step out of their everyday lives.

As Yaser and Yahya explored the spooky scene, they did so knowing this event represented more than costumes and horror. It was a taste of freedom. It was a glimpse into what Saudi Arabia can become as it balances tradition with a modern, globally connected identity. The Halloween celebrations in Riyadh were more than just a weekend of horror. They were a statement. This statement expressed a yearning to experience the world on new terms, even if only for one night.

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