Fantasy lights up Al Qurum Park

Muscat Nights festival continues to transform Al Qurum Natural Park into a vibrant destination for family entertainment, with immersive attractions that place children and shared family moments at the heart of the experience.
Among the most popular highlights drawing large crowds are the roaming Parade Show and the Illuminated Cartoon Characters World, two attractions that have quickly become defining features of the festival’s joyful atmosphere.

The Parade Show, known as Mawkib Hikayat Al Khayal (The Fantasy Tales Parade), moves dynamically through the park multiple times a day. Featuring 25 performers, the parade delivers a visually rich journey filled with fantasy, music, elaborate costumes, cosplay performances, and decorated floats.
The parade creates spontaneous moments of excitement and invites visitors to follow along as the spectacle unfolds.
Designed to captivate both children and adults, the parade injects a contagious energy into the festival grounds. Its interactive nature encourages families to move together and experience Muscat Nights as an unfolding story rather than a static event.
Balqees al Busaidy, a mother of primary school children, shared how the parade became an unexpected highlight of her family’s visit. “We visited Al Qurum Natural Park for the fireworks, but the children were completely drawn to the parade with its dazzling costumes and the larger-than-life floats and carriages being a real showstopper.”

'We were forced to chase after the parade the whole night because the children couldn’t get enough of it. But it turned out to be a great experience, as it allowed them to explore the entire park and see other activities while following the parade.”
Complementing the parade’s movement and performance is the Illuminated Cartoon Characters World, where the attraction features an impressive collection of massive, glowing inflatable figures representing beloved cartoon and cinematic characters. The installation invites families to stroll through, take photos, and admire the detailed silhouettes of characters that generations have grown up watching.
Characters such as Tom & Jerry, Superman, Tweety Bird and the Minions from Despicable Me stand illuminated against the night sky, creating a dreamlike environment that resonates strongly with younger visitors.

Said al Azri, a father of a child with special needs, described how the parade exceeded his expectations. “I didn’t expect my daughter to interact or enjoy the parade as much as she did, but the professionalism and inclusivity of the cosplayers made all the difference,” he said.
He noted that their evening concluded with a visit to the Cartoon Characters World, where his daughter was equally enthralled. “Seeing all the large inflated figures lined up together was fascinating. She was more than thrilled to meet her favourite characters and felt completely in her element.”
For younger visitors like primary school student Qusai al Balushi, the experience felt nothing short of magical. “I loved the parade and the glowing cartoon characters. Everything was colourful and fun, and I hope I can come again next year,” he said, adding, “I felt like I stepped into a storybook.”
Muscat Nights festival at Al Qurum Natural Park continues to reaffirm its role as a celebration of family, fantasy, and shared joy, where every child, and every story, finds a place to shine.