Saudi Halloween spooks some over 'satanic' celebrations

 A winter wonderland. Women's wrestling. And now Halloween festivities.

Saudi Arabia held several spooky events this month as part of it's three-month-long "Riyadh Season", a series of cultural events mostly aimed at tourists.

One event had giant demonic statues floating down the streets of the capital, with techno music blaring and flashing lights.

Translation: Tickets have sold out for the “The Horror Festival” on its last day. To those who have been, tell us what your opinion on it is? #RiyadhSeason

But many social media users were unimpressed, questioning how a pagan holiday could be celebrated in the birthplace of Islam, using statues that they felt went against Islamic principles:

Others weren't just upset about Halloween.

And some worried Santa was headed to Saudi Arabia.

The statues were eventually destroyed, with one Twitter user suggesting that Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman had ordered the demolition.

Translation: Under the guidance of the Salafi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God protect him, and at the invitation of some sheikhs, may God reward them with goodness, Prince Mohammed ordered the destruction of idols and that they not be erected in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
#SomePeopleAreStillSucceeding #GoodnessIsComing

Riyadh Season, which lasts until mid-December, is part of  Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to make the kingdom's economy less reliant on oil. The entertainment industry has been identified as an area to increase economic growth and present the image of a more modern Saudi Arabia.