The "Scary Weekend" was the second costume-themed event to take place in the capital. A similar event, masquerade party took place earlier this year at Riyadh Boulevard Riyadh City on 17 and 18 March and was described as the largest costume party in Saudi Arabia. A report by the New York Times suggested that the government-sponsored event was strategically held just before Halloween, which traditionally falls on 31 October so as not to be seen as officially commemorating the festival which has pagan roots.
