While planning your trip to Oman, visit the country during some of Oman's biggest festivals so that you can truly immerse yourself in the Omani culture! Festivals in Oman are unique to the core, built on years of tradition, customs and culture. Here is a list of the biggest festivals in Oman that you won't want to miss!
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One of the grandest festivals in Oman is the Muscat Festival, which showcases the Omani culture and heritage through art forms and various activities. The festival lasts a whole month, between January and February and is a huge celebration. It is a magical festival, reflecting the beauty as well as the history of Oman, and is a beautiful way of preserving its culture, customs and traditions. Source Standard events at the festival include theatre performances, acrobatic events, educational programs, sporting, circuses, camel races, contests, recreational programs for children traditional and international food stalls, as well as firework shows. There are also tours for tourists, which provide a glimpse of the typical traditional Omani lifestyle, as well as a look at Oman's past. People from all around Oman come to Muscat to celebrate this grand festival
Dates: January 16th to February 15th 2020 Where: Amerat Park, Oman Automobile Association & Naseem Gardens
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Salalah Tourism Festival occurs during the 'Khareef' or monsoon season of Oman. It typically starts around mid-July and lasts until late August. During the Khareef season, the city of Salalah is transformed into a lush oasis, due to the rain showers that cool the summer air. The festival hosts beautiful artistic as well as cultural shows, with a mix of international programs for international tourists who come to enjoy the festival.
It is a vibrant festival; with clothes stalls, restaurants, music, games, theatrics, circuses and much more. Many families come to have a picnic and enjoy the beautiful monsoon weather, while others come to enjoy the shows, games and fireworks that take place. It gets bigger and grander each year, with more roller coasters, music, cultural activities, food stalls and so on.
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Due to the majority of Muslim populations in Oman, the country celebrates 'Eid al-Fitr', and it is regarded as one of the most important religious festivals in Oman. Eid marks the end of Ramadan, which is the Islamic holy month of fasting. The festival of Eid lasts for three days. On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, Omanis go to mosques and perform the Eid prayer. After the Morning Prayer, the celebrations and feastings begin. Some common traditions in Oman are wearing new clothes, visiting relatives, giving presents to children, sending cards, and preparing festive meals. Moreover, due to the spirit of Eid, many Omanis go out of their way to show kindness and generosity to others. It is also common for many Arabs of the Middle East to host communal meals during Eid.
4. Sultan Camel Race Cup
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A popular tourist attraction, the Sultan Camel Race Cup is a festival that was created to encourage one of the oldest Arab sports: camel racing. During the festival, camels compete on racetracks, which are specially built for this very sport. The camels are all brought from specialised farms that train them for this intense sport. The festival lasts a couple of days and is enjoyed by many. The King, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is a huge fan of this festival and has supported this festival significantly.
Dates: March 19 to March 22 Where: Royal Cavalry Track at Al Felaij, Wilayat of Barka.
So plan to attend at least one of these festivals in Oman! Learn and experience the beautiful Omani customs, traditions and culture. These festivals are a fun experience for all history buffs, art lovers, foodies, and children!
