Oman Annual Events

Throughout the year, Oman hosts a number of well-established annual events, some of which have been running for years. The events described below are some of the most popular and most regular features on Oman’s social calendar as well as religious and public holidays.

Bullfighting or Bull Butting
Bullfighting or toreo is a traditional spectacle of Spain, Portugal, southern France, some Hispanic American countries and the Philippines, in which one or more bulls are baited, and then killed in a bullring for the entertainment of the audience. As such, it is often called a blood sport by its detractors, but followers of the spectacle regard it as a 'fine art' and not a sport, as there are no elements of competition in the proceedings. Read More>>

Muscat Festival
The Muscat Festival is a festival where traditional dances, camel races, concerts, sporting and educational events, and various activities for adults and children are held in different venues. Some hotels and commercial centres offer discounts. Since its inception in 1998, Muscat Festival has proved to be more than just a celebratory, cultural and artistic event, or merely an entertaining forum in which civilizations come together. Read More>>

Music Day
Fete de la Musique, also known as Music Day, originated in France in 1982. It is known as the day when all things musical are celebrated throughout the world. The Fete doesn't comprise of just French music but also the traditional music of the country celebrating. Today, it is celebrated around the world on the 21st of June every year. The Fete de la Musique is an international festival and is celebrated in 100 countries over five continents and is a day where music culture comes alive. Read More>>

National Day
Oman’s National Day is on 18th November. National Day celebrates the Omani independance from the Portugese in 1650. Coincidentally, Sultan Qaboos bin Said's birthday falls on the 19th of November, so Omanis celebrate the two days in a row. There are parades, fireworks, camel races and bullfights throughout the country. Many Omanis return to their home villages to celebrate, so the roads may be busier than usual.  Read More>>

Renaissance Day
Held on 23 July, this day commemorates the accession of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to the throne. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos acceded to the throne with the aim of ending the country's isolation and using its oil revenue for modernization and development. He declared that the country would no longer be known as Muscat and Oman, but would change its name to "the Sultanate of Oman" to better reflect its political unity.  Read More>>

The Terry Fox Run
The Terry Fox run is a non-competative annual charity event held in numerous regions around the world. This annual run is usually held sometime in January or February in Muscat. Each year, millions of people around the world gather to raise money for cancer research in the Terry Fox Run (named after the courageous Canadian, Terry Fox, who lost a leg to cancer and attempted to run across Canada to raise funds and awareness).  Read More>>

Camel Racing
Camel racing is held throughout Oman in various locations on Public holidays, weekends and National Day. Time spent watching this traditional sport is an extraordinary experience. Races are spread over several days, with different sprints organised daily for different age groups of camels. Races are held at tracks in As Seeb, Salalah, the Interior and Batinah regions during public holidays and National Day celebrations. Admission is free. Read More>>

Exhibitions
Oman International Exhibition Centre holds lots of different exhibitions throughout the year. With the increasing importance of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism to Oman, the government-owned centre has seen a full calendar lately. It is located a stone’s throw from the Seeb International Airport and is adjacent to the Golden Tulip Seeb Airport Hotel. See their website for a monthly listing of exhibitions. Read More>>

Horse Racing & Show Jumping
Horsing events are held at the Enam Equestrian Grounds in Seeb, in the winter. Oman is famous for its pure-bred Arabian horses, which originate from Zad-ar-Raakib, the stallion given by the Prophet Solomon to the Azd tribe. The Oman Equestrian Federation organises the Annual Royal Meeting, national show jumping competitions every winter, and the Royal Equestrian Show every five years, at the Enam Equestrian Grounds in Seeb. Read More>>

The Khareef Festival
Throughout Salalah, in July and August. This festival is held in Salalah each year, from 15 July to the end of August, to celebrate the monsoon season. There are music and dance performances from different regions of Oman, the exhibition and sale of Omani handicrafts, and sports events. It is a chance to witness rare performances such as the Zanooj dance, which involves a cast of thousands. Read More>>

Religious Holidays

Lailat al Mi’raj
Lailat al Miraj is a Muslim holiday that commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's nighttime journey from Mecca to the 'Farthest Mosque' in Jerusalem where he ascended to heaven, was purified and given the instruction for Muslims to pray five times daily. On the Islamic calendar, Lailat al Miraj is generally observed on the 27th day of the month of Rajab. The actual date depends on the movement of the moon. Read More>>

Eid Al Adha & Eid Al Fitr
Eid is a time where families spend time together, exchange gifts and worship. There are two celebrations of Eid each year namely Eid Ul Fitr, celebrated at the sighting of the new moon that marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, and Eid Ul Adha that is celebrated during the 12th month of the Hijri calendar and coincides with the Hajj or Pilgrimage to Makkah. The common Eid greeting is Eid Mubarak. Read More>>

Public Holidays

These are the annual holidays that take place in the country:

• New Year's Day

• Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad)

• Lailat al Miraj (Night of Ascension)

• Renaissance Day

• Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)

• Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)

• Islamic New Year

• Birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos

• National Day