As the final hours of October tick away, Dhaka is getting ready to don its darkest, most dazzling disguise. From eerie costumes to pumpkin-lit corners, the capital is preparing to celebrate Halloween – a night where history, myth, and modern revelry meet under the same moonlit sky.
Across Dhaka, venues are transforming into haunted playgrounds, music will mix with mischief, and laughter will echo through corridors filled with ghosts, goblins, and ghoulish delights.
Though the celebration feels new to many in Bangladesh, Halloween’s roots stretch deep into ancient soil – a story that began with fire, fear, and faith thousands of years ago. What started as a ritual to honor the spirits of the dead has evolved into a global festival of creativity and thrill, uniting the young and old in a single night of costume, candy, and collective imagination.
Halloween’s story traces back more than 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated on 1 November. The Celts believed that on the eve of this day, the boundaries between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth.
To protect themselves from wandering souls and mischievous gods, people dressed in animal skins, lit bonfires, and performed mystical rituals. These eerie customs eventually gave rise to the iconic imagery of witches, ghosts, and goblins that define Halloween today.
Centuries later, the Christian Church wove its own traditions into the Celtic observance. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV established All Saints’ Day to honor saints and martyrs, first observed on 13 May.
A century afterward, Pope Gregory III shifted the holy day to 1 November possibly to replace the pagan festival with a Christian counterpart. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which over time transformed into the word we now know Halloween.
Originating from Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, Halloween gradually found its way across continents.
Although the early Puritan settlers in New England shunned the observance, southern American colonies celebrated modest harvest gatherings that borrowed from Halloween’s themes.
By the 19th century, Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Potato Famine brought with them many customs still cherished today from carved pumpkins to trick-or-treat traditions.
Fusion of fear and festivity at ICCL
This year, the International Convention Centre Limited promises to turn Dhaka into a playground for thrill-seekers with its Haunted Halloween Night. From flickering lights to eerie corridors, the venue will transport visitors into a world of fright and fun.
The night features a Haunted House Experience, Costume Parade, and spine-chilling DJ performances, creating a fusion of fear and festivity.
Families can enjoy Trick-or-Treat Zones, children-friendly activities, and Creepy Photo Booths to capture their costumed adventures. Food lovers can dig into “Fright Bites”, Halloween-themed snacks, and specialty drinks.
The event will unfold on Friday, 31 October at ICCL Dhaka, where the city will momentarily transform into a land of screams and laughter. Organisers warn that tickets are limited and urge Dhaka’s daredevils to book early for what promises to be the most haunted night of the year.
A feast with a fright at Dhaka Regency
For those seeking a touch of elegance amid the eerie, Dhaka Regency Hotel and Resort is hosting its own “Halloween Night Party” on the same evening. Running from 6pm to 10:30pm, the event spans two venues – Grill on the Skyline, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, and Grandiose Restaurant.
Guests at the rooftop can savor a Halloween BBQ Buffet Dinner beneath the night sky, surrounded by haunting decor and flickering lanterns. The celebration will include live dance acts, a costume contest, a raffle draw, and themed photo booths. Tickets are priced at Tk 3,331 per person.
Meanwhile, Grandiose Restaurant will offer a lavish Halloween Buffet Dinner featuring international and local dishes, creative desserts, and signature mains. The buffet is priced at Tk 5,555 per person, with a “Dine 2 at Price of 1” offer for select cardholders and club members. Guests are encouraged to arrive in their best costumes and enjoy an evening blending gourmet dining with ghostly glamour.
Family thrills at Toggi Fun World
For families and young revelers, Toggi Fun World inside Bashundhara City Shopping Complex is hosting Spooktacular Halloween Soirée 4 – Haunted by Coca-Cola, Haribo, Air Astra and Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. The event runs from 3pm to 9pm on 31 October, offering a day packed with adventure and prizes.
An exclusive Halloween ticket priced at Tk 300 includes free entry to Toggi Fun World, one arcade game, tarot and palm reading, Halloween face art, a 360° photo booth, a welcome drink, a candy bag, and a 10% discount on rides and packages.
The highlight will be an exclusive raffle draw, with prizes including Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar air tickets for two, five-star dinner vouchers, and Xtreme and Kiddos packages. An additional Buy 1 Get 1 offer will be available for the Level 13 Escape Room on Halloween day.
From haunted halls to rooftop feasts and family adventures, Dhaka’s Halloween celebrations are taking on a life of their own. What began as an ancient Celtic ritual to ward off restless spirits has transformed into a celebration of creativity, community, and a little bit of fear.
