Halloween Party in Post-Assad Damascus
The Islamic military junta that took control of Syria after ousting dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 made a surprising choice to permit a Halloween celebration in Damascus this past Friday.
The atmosphere at the event, however, was rather tense. Once the midnight curfew hit, partygoers seemed to be on edge, fearing that security forces might burst in at any moment.
Those attending described the vibe as reminiscent of a high school dance, though the situation was complicated by two power outages. Out of approximately 150 expected guests, only about half made it, leaving a noticeable gap on the dance floor of a rented venue atop a shopping center on the city’s outskirts. Drinks like whiskey, vodka, and beer were served in plastic cups at a small bar.
Most young revelers had scant memories of Syria prior to the civil war that erupted in 2011 and resulted in over 600,000 deaths. While Damascus suffered less devastation than rural areas, residents endured a reign of terror under Assad, eventually leading to his removal from the city by Islamist jihadists at the end of last year.
Damascus does have nightclubs and bars, but this may change under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance of jihadists led by interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member. Although the junta hasn’t imposed a ban on alcohol yet, many in the cosmopolitan city anticipate restrictions—or perhaps outright prohibitions—on drinking. Alcohol sales have already started to decline, with renewed limitations on selling alcohol near places of worship, a rule that was largely disregarded under Assad.
Tariq Abbas, a music festival organizer, voiced a mix of relief and concern about the shift in power. “Of course, I was happy to see the regime fall, but I am also worried about the character of those in charge now. We are still figuring things out,” he said.
Abbas noted that the party scene has shifted: “Now, when the party is over, it’s really over. Back then, there were after-parties and lead-in events.”
A young woman in a Viking costume expressed a sprightly optimism, remarking that the new authorities, being quite conservative and from rural backgrounds, are encountering women like her for the first time. Initially fearful, she feels there’s a gradual adjustment happening on both sides.
Abbas mentioned that he had become accustomed to paying significant bribes to Assad’s officials to hold music festivals, and some things remain unchanged. Organizers of the Halloween event confirmed that they had to pay “fines” in advance to the junta’s security forces.
In June, reports highlighted that nightlife in Damascus remained surprisingly vibrant even six months after Assad’s fall. DJ Nuria, who was born in Syria but now resides in Berlin, called it a “dream come true” to perform a sold-out show in her home country following such a violent civil conflict. “That night, we felt the freedom we had longed for: everyone was alive, dancing without fear,” she recalled.
However, the organization that financed DJ Nuria’s concert expressed skepticism about the new Islamist government’s willingness to maintain a laid-back approach to the nightlife scene in Damascus. “I don’t think the country genuinely wants nightlife. They say one thing, but their actions tell another story,” the organizer, Filip Zarif, remarked.
While hosting dance events under an Islamist regime might seem reckless, DJ Nuria joked that it could be “stupid in a good way.” She’s already planning another performance for December’s Liberation Day, marking the anniversary of Assad’s defeat.
