Wednesday 14 / January / 2026
Muscat: This year’s "Muscat Nights" activities, held across several locations in Muscat Governorate, feature a blend of cultural, entertainment, and heritage programs.
The event focuses on increasing the participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and productive families to expand the local economic impact and enhance community engagement. SMEs and productive families participate extensively, showcasing products in various fields, including traditional crafts, heritage handiwork, and popular cuisine.
Eng. Yasser Salim Al Amri, a member of the "Muscat Nights 2026" Preparatory Committee, stated that the event has reshaped its concept from a seasonal entertainment activity into a platform for economic empowerment for SMEs and productive families. By merging entertainment with clear empowerment goals, the platform provides promotional opportunities for projects before a diverse audience of visitors, supporting the concept of live marketing and direct product experience.
Ahmed Badr Al Yahmadi, owner of the "Tilal Bidiya for Omani Heritage" project from the Wilayat of Bidiya, mentioned that his project's idea is based on highlighting the craftsmanship of the Omani Khanjar (dagger) and women's jewelry in terms of design and symbolism. It aims to introduce visitors to the authenticity of Omani heritage and how a craftsman can develop an idea while preserving its traditional spirit. He noted that his eighth participation in Muscat Nights reflects the continued presence of visitors at such cultural and entertainment events.
bint Abdullah Al Maawali, owner of a traditional food project, emphasized that participating in these events represents a significant empowerment space for productive families. It also strengthens the presence of traditional Omani cuisine as an authentic part of the cultural identity within the Heritage Village.
The Heritage Village at Al Amerat Park is one of the most prominent cultural stops in "Muscat Nights 2026," attracting more than 450 male and female craftsmen and folk-art group members representing various Omani environments. This creates an integrated mosaic reflecting the richness of cultural heritage and the diversity of folk arts, crafts, and traditional industries found in the Sultanate of Oman.
Hassan Ali Al Balushi, Supervisor of the Heritage Village at Al Amerat Park, told Oman News Agency that the organizers of Muscat Nights are keen each year to achieve diversity across all fields, particularly in the heritage sector. This contributes to providing an integrated experience for visitors that combines entertainment, knowledge, and the reinforcement of national identity.
He added that the Heritage Village was designed to be a living environment simulating ancient Omani lifestyles, noting that the remarkable public turnout since the start of Muscat Nights 2026 reflects the community's interest across all segments in discovering the treasures of Omani heritage and its deep-rooted historical and social values.
He explained that the village consists of several main sections, carefully distributed to provide a comprehensive picture of different Omani environments. The urban environment section includes about 45 women, children, and craftswomen practicing various customs and traditions, alongside displays of diverse women’s handicrafts that embody daily life in Omani cities of the past.
He pointed out that the Bedouin environment features 15 participants, showcasing traditional Bedouin handicrafts alongside tents where authentic Omani coffee is served and the Rababa instrument is played, reflecting the simplicity of Bedouin life and its close link to the desert.
He mentioned that the craftsmen's market includes 17 artisans practicing various industries, including pottery, palm-frond weaving, textiles, and silverwork. These crafts are presented live to visitors to introduce them to the stages of production and their cultural and economic importance.
Regarding folk arts, he noted the participation of 20 folk-art troupes from various wilayats of the Sultanate of Oman, distributed throughout the days of Muscat Nights. Each troupe consists of approximately 20 people, providing daily performances reflecting the diversity of Omani arts such as Al Razha, Al Azi, Al Ayyala, and other arts that embody the spirit and history of Omani society.
The village also includes a traditional games corner with 10 participants, presenting several traditional games played in the past to introduce younger generations to the simple entertainment methods associated with social life in the past.
He explained that the incense, perfume, and frankincense market includes 14 craftswomen producing incense, perfumes, and censers, while selling their products to visitors. He emphasized that this corner receives great interest due to the special status of frankincense and incense in Omani culture.
He further noted that the traditional food corner includes 27 craftswomen offering a variety of traditional Omani dishes, reflecting the diversity of the Omani kitchen across different wilayats. This gives visitors the opportunity to taste heritage dishes associated with social occasions and different seasons.
In conclusion, the Supervisor of the Heritage Village affirmed that the participation of such a large number of male and female artisans serves as direct support for traditional crafts. It contributes to empowering those working in this sector, enhances the presence of Omani heritage in national events, and instills values of belonging and pride in identity among future generations.
