For many years, the Al Qasimi Palace in Ras Al Khaimah was known for mystical legends and ghost stories. However, over three days in October, this iconic landmark took on a new function, welcoming visitors who wished to tour its interiors, purchase goods from local entrepreneurs, and enjoy a Halloween-themed pop-up event.
The local name for this building is the 'Ghost Palace.' From October 16th to 18th, the Qasr Al Jin pop-up took place, bringing together small businesses, cafes, and guests in an atmosphere distinct from traditional markets and trade fairs.
For Jana Belal, a native of Ras Al Khaimah, this event provided an opportunity to finally visit a landmark she had heard about since childhood. Belal told Khaleej Times that 'growing up in Ras Al Khaimah, no matter where we went past the palace or even talked about it in school, it was always associated with ghosts and scary stories.'
Having heard these tales throughout her youth, visiting the palace with a friend brought back memories of the legends surrounding the building. She noted: 'We knew about it our whole lives, and for a long time it wasn't open to the public. So, being able to go there felt really cool to us.'
Beyond its mysterious reputation, Belal emphasized that the event was valuable because it gathered small businesses and gave guests a chance to support local entrepreneurs. With her own experience running a small business, she tries to buy from independent sellers whenever she visits similar fairs. She stated: 'I always want to support small local businesses. It was very nice that they were all in one place, supporting each other.'
Belal, who considers Halloween one of her favorite annual events, particularly noted how vendors integrated the theme into their stalls through decorations and themed merchandise. Another highlight for her was the presence of animals, which she called 'lovers,' noting their appearance near the stalls and other activities.
She also toured the upper floor of the palace, where rooms displayed art, furniture, and decorative items reflecting various cultural influences. Belal shared that 'each room had its own theme, and you could see that a lot of thought was put into every detail, from the beds and paintings to the small ornaments.'
While the unusual location attracted visitors, the event also provided emerging entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their products to a wide audience. For Fatima Al Bloushi, owner of Blissfy, deciding to participate was largely driven by the venue itself and the curiosity it might generate. She said: 'What prompted us to participate was that the pop-up concept was different from regular events. There was a sense of mystery and something unusual that could spark people's curiosity.'
She hoped the palace's reputation would attract visitors who had never explored the building before, giving her newly launched business a chance to reach potential customers. This event marked Blissfy's first participation in a pop-up format since its official launch, a significant milestone for the company. 'Honestly, the experience was tiring, but at the same time pleasant and worth the effort.'
Despite the demands of participating in the three-day event, Al Bloushi reported that the large number of visitors led to encouraging sales and positive customer interaction. She added: 'Attendance was huge, and the crowds were the biggest indicator of the event's success. Fortunately, sales were good, and the reaction to our products was positive.'
She also highlighted that the palace's architecture and unique atmosphere made the experience particularly memorable.
Mariam Eissa Al Bloushi, owner of Mido, was also an entrepreneur participating in the pop-up for the first time. Like Fatima, she saw the unusual location as an opportunity to introduce her business to customers who might not otherwise find it. She stated: 'We wanted to try something new and present our Mido project to a wider audience.'
Although the stories associated with the palace initially piqued her curiosity, Mariam noted that the atmosphere was far from frightening. She said: 'The stories associated with the palace added to the atmosphere and heightened our curiosity, but the place wasn't scary. On the contrary, the atmosphere made the experience more enjoyable.'
For Mido, the event was also a chance to interact directly with visitors, present their products, and better understand customer tastes and interests. Mariam noted that the combination of the palace's unusual setting and visitor curiosity created an experience different from typical pop-ups. She concluded: 'The most striking thing was the unusual atmosphere, which was both eerie and pleasant, as well as the visitors' curiosity about the place and the offered products.'
Since both companies appeared at the pop-up for the first time, the event served as an opportunity for direct sales to visitors, relationship building with clients, and gaining experience that could support future participation in similar events.
