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Do not expect alcohol-fuelled fiestas that last well into the next morning – many religious holidays begin with a trip to the mosque for prayers and are followed by a modest feast. Having said that, most travellers to Muscat will likely have come to sample the local custom, in which case there is much to savour.
January/February Festivals
Muscat Festival: conceived in 1998 to boost tourist numbers, the Muscat festival is now a month’s worth of cultural events from January to February that attracts up to three million people, which is nearly equivalent to the population of the entire country. Expect beach events, theatre, cultural shows, Arab musical performances and much more.
Muscat Festival: conceived in 1998 to boost tourist numbers, the Muscat festival is now a month’s worth of cultural events from January to February that attracts up to three million people, which is nearly equivalent to the population of the entire country. Expect beach events, theatre, cultural shows, Arab musical performances and much more.
November Festivals
Oman National Day: it’s time to bust out the large Sultan Qaboos images again as Muscat celebrates its independence and the birthday of their leader with camel races and lots of colourful fireworks. The small boys riding the camels are usually as young as they look.
Oman National Day: it’s time to bust out the large Sultan Qaboos images again as Muscat celebrates its independence and the birthday of their leader with camel races and lots of colourful fireworks. The small boys riding the camels are usually as young as they look.
No Fixed Date
Islamic New Year: the beginning of the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Muharram, is one of the more significant festivals in the Omani capital and sees lots of decorations and the exchanging of gifts.
Islamic New Year: the beginning of the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Muharram, is one of the more significant festivals in the Omani capital and sees lots of decorations and the exchanging of gifts.
Eid ul-Fitr: the fasting ends and the food begins to flow. This is the end of Ramadan, a time of great celebration in Muscat, Oman and the rest of the Muslim world when the city comes alive as the locals don their best clothes and usually a hefty smile.
Eid Al Adha: in terms of importance, the second of the two Eids, this holiday 70 days after Ramadan and has in recent years fallen at the beginning of the Gregorian calendar. This is a time of prayers at Muscat’s many mosques followed by large family gatherings.