Halloween decor at the Village Market in Nairobi. The tradition which falls on October 31 will be celebrated in different restaurants, bars and homes in Nairobi. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU
What you need to know:
The tradition is slowing gaining foothold in Nairobi as entrepreneurs compete on who will organise the scariest Halloween party starting today evening.
Halloween is upon us once again. The tradition might not have meant anything years ago in Kenya, but now pastry chefs, hotels, bars and costume designers are thinking outside-the-box to get locals to participate.
The tradition is slowing gaining foothold in Nairobi as entrepreneurs compete on who will organise the scariest Halloween party starting today evening.
Others are selling spooky sweets to delight the young, cupcakes, chocolates truffles and candle bags for outdoors. Choco Nest that makes home-made chocolates and sweets is among those selling Halloween-themed sweets for the season.
Fred Wanga, an official at Nairobi Art Centre, one of the places welcoming Halloween lovers, said that demand for the event forced them into organising one.
“We got a lot of requests from our clients and we had to do something about it. We also did not want to be left out as other parts of the world mark it,” he said.
Nairobi Art Centre
To mark the season, the art centre will be hosting parents and children today in the evening. Children will explore different ways of making mosaic, collage, three dimensional arts, drawing, painting, sketching and pottery using clay, activities themed in the season of spirits.
“Parents and children will bond over various games and activities like the trick and tree, drawing and painting,” said Fred.
Those without Halloween costumes can rent one from the art centre.
For last-minute shoppers, French supermarket chain Carrefour at The Hub in Karen has stocked Halloween costumes and accessories. Toy World is also selling fake blood.
Caramel Lounge
Bars like Forty Thieves Beach Bar and Bistro in Diani, Caramel Restaurant and Lounge and Best Western’s Ciroc Bar in Nairobi have gone with the mid-century feel with people expected to dress up in 40s and 80s-style. Revellers also get to enjoy discounted drinks.
Scary in the bush
For Halloween lovers seeking the bush experience, Storm’s Resort is set to take the event a notch higher. The Nanyuki hotel will host a scary night party in the bush besides quad-biking, four by four challenge and car games.
Escape games
In Hurlingham, Nairobi, Psycho 60 is hosting a three-day event where participants find clues, answer riddles, solve puzzles and escape all before the 60 minute clock expires.
Haunted Village
The Village Market is known for its famous Halloween party. Tomorrow it will host the Haunted Village event that will feature little monster’s party where children play Halloween games and participate in fancy dress fashion shows.
They will also have adult and teens Halloween-themed parties. The Beathogs band will keep guest entertainment during the all night affair.
Karen Village will to host Nairobi Spooktacular event tomorrow. The family event starts from 6pm up to midnight. Joy Adero, the Spooktacular event host said the event will be a light-hearted affair for the whole family.
“This is the day one gets to bring out their inner creativity; it is Halloween and no one will be looking to pass judgment. I see it as a chance for people to experiment and express themselves,” said Joy.
Spooky fitness
Reform Cycling and Strength Studio, will also be hosting a Halloween theme indoor spinning class today and tomorrow and participants should expect a “frightening class set-up, a petrifying playlist, and a creepy instructor.”
Cyclists will play a trick and treat game at the studio where if a card reads “trick” pedals will be tightened for a challenging ride and if it reads treat it will be enjoyable. A session will cost Sh1,000.
Fine ghoulish jewellery
In the West, event planners and costume designers have turned Halloween into a full-time business. The holiday has grown into a multi-billion dollar annual industry as companies build products tailored around the season of spirits.
From frightfully ghoulish fine jewellery shaped like skeletons, spiders, zombie-themed escape rooms to horror props, it is a competition to woo Halloween lovers. And the trend is fast catching on in Kenya.
“The world is a global village nowadays; the way Valentine’s Day was termed a foreign concept and later embraced we are seeing the same happen to Halloween as locals open up to new things,” Joy said.
