Muscat Festival (January–February) is the largest cultural event in the country. Held annually in Muscat, it features traditional music, dance, craft displays, falconry demonstrations, and a fairground atmosphere that draws Omani families from across the country. The performances lean heavily on Omani heritage rather than imported entertainment, which makes it genuinely interesting rather than just a tourist show.
Salalah Tourism Festival (July–August) is timed to coincide with the khareef monsoon season, when Salalah's hills are green and the weather is mild. The festival runs for six weeks or so, with traditional performances, concerts, and markets. The combination of the unusual climate and the festivities draws Gulf visitors who come specifically to escape the summer heat of Riyadh and Dubai.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan — three days of celebration with communal prayers, family visits, new clothes, and feasting. The streets are lively and the atmosphere is good-natured. The exact dates shift each year according to the Islamic calendar.
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), two months after Eid al-Fitr, is the other major Islamic holiday. Livestock markets are busy in the days beforehand, and the subsequent feasting includes the kind of elaborate cooking that rarely appears otherwise.
National Day on 18 November marks Sultan Qaboos's accession to power in 1970 and the beginning of modern Oman. There are parades, fireworks, and displays across the country, with the largest celebrations in Muscat. It's a good time to be in the country if you want to see Omanis at their most festive and proud.