The Muscat Nights Festival continues to deliver a vibrant and diverse cultural experience across multiple venues in Muscat, with Qurayat emerging this year as one of the festival’s most distinctive and community-driven locations.
Alongside other festival sites, Qurayat has added a unique cultural and social dimension that reflects the wilayat’s identity and close-knit community spirit.
Ahmed bin Abdullah al Balushi, a member of the organising committee for Muscat Nights activities in Qurayat, said the programme was designed to align with the broader vision of the festival while highlighting the area’s special character.
He explained that bringing Muscat Nights to Qurayat was the result of coordinated efforts involving the Qurayat Club and the Municipal Council, aimed at distributing tourism and entertainment activities more evenly across the governorate.
Qurayat’s coastal setting, maritime heritage and strong social fabric played a key role in shaping the activities offered at the site. “The location allowed us to present events that reflect local traditions, traditional crafts and familiar social atmospheres, giving visitors a warm and welcoming experience that particularly appeals to families,” Al Balushi said.
The festival programme in Qurayat featured a wide range of activities, including family-friendly entertainment, dedicated spaces for productive families and small businesses to showcase their products, children’s activities, light cultural performances, traditional arts, and both modern and traditional sports events. One of the major highlights was the fireworks display, which attracted strong public interest and left a lasting impression on visitors.
Beyond entertainment, the Muscat Nights Festival has contributed meaningfully to the local economy.
Al Balushi noted that the event drew visitors from within and beyond the wilayat, stimulating commercial activity and supporting entrepreneurs and productive families. He added that the festival has helped strengthen Qurayat’s position as an emerging tourism and leisure destination within the wider Muscat Nights landscape.
Community participation proved to be a cornerstone of the event’s success. Local residents actively supported the festival through attendance, participation and cooperation with organisers.
“Community interaction is essential to the success of any event, and the response we witnessed in Qurayat was extremely encouraging,” Al Balushi said, adding that such engagement opens the door for further development in future editions.
Despite some organisational and logistical challenges, particularly given that this was an early experience for the site, organisers worked closely with relevant authorities to ensure smooth operations.
Al Balushi expressed optimism that future editions would allow additional preparation time for contractors and organisers, enabling further improvements in readiness and visitor experience. He also pointed to growing public demand for Qurayat to be elevated from a supporting venue to a main festival location in the coming years.
From a visitor’s perspective, the festival succeeded in creating a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere. Abdullah al Amri, a resident of Qurayat, said the site’s accessibility and natural setting were among the main reasons for his visit. “The festival felt close to the people of the wilayat, well-organised and family-friendly,” he said.
Describing his experience as highly positive, Al Amri highlighted the diversity of activities and the comfortable, inclusive environment. He added that Muscat Nights provides safe and enjoyable entertainment options for families and youth, offering a balanced programme that caters to a wide range of interests.
He strongly recommended visiting the festival, noting its role in enriching social life and bringing people together in a lively yet organised setting.
With growing public support and increasing visitor interest, organisers aim to further enhance activities and infrastructure in Qurayat, reinforcing its role as a key destination within the Muscat Nights Festival in the years ahead.
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