SALALAH: Kiddy Time, known in Arabic as Waqt Al Tifl, has opened at Awqad Public Park, adding a dedicated children’s and family space to this year’s Khareef Dhofar programme. The attraction is part of the Khareef Dhofar Season 2026, which runs from June 21 to September 21 and includes 125 cultural, artistic, sporting and entertainment events across Salalah and other wilayats in Dhofar Governorate.
Kiddy Time runs from July 5 to September 5 at Awqad Public Park. The official event listing describes it as a major family and children’s zone designed around educational and entertainment areas, including themes linked to aviation, engineering, sports, talent development, the future and discipline, alongside a children’s theatre, activity areas and restaurant spaces.
The concept gives children more than a conventional play area. It offers a structured space for discovery, role play and practical learning, while giving families another organised evening destination during the monsoon season.
The opening also reflects the phased nature of this year’s Khareef programme. Some activities began with the start of the season on June 21, followed by the Health Garden at Salalah Public Park from June 25. Kiddy Time opened in early July, while other major sites, including Return of the Past in Al Saada and Ateen Square, are scheduled as part of the wider programme.
Dhofar Municipality has said this year’s programme seeks to give each site a clearer identity, with activities distributed across several locations and wilayats. Major venues include Ateen Plain, Ateen Square, Al Murooj Theatre, Salalah Public Park and Awqad Public Park, in addition to companion activities at coastal and heritage locations.
For families, the addition of Kiddy Time is significant because children’s activities are being placed within the main body of the season rather than treated as a side attraction. During Khareef, large numbers of visitors arrive from within Oman and across the Gulf, many travelling as families and looking for evening destinations that are organised, accessible and suitable for children.
Official figures from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism showed that Dhofar’s 2024 Khareef season attracted 1.048 million visitors, underlining the scale of demand placed on accommodation, transport, public spaces and visitor services during the season.
Visitors say the gradual expansion of activities has added to the appeal of the season. Rashid al Mashrafi, a visitor from northern Oman, said he has been coming to Dhofar almost every year and has seen steady improvements in the area, the organisation of events and the quality of public spaces.
“We come to Dhofar almost every year, and each time there is something new,” he said. “The developments taking place in the area are clear, the events are well organised, and the cleanliness of the sites is good. We thank Dhofar Municipality and all those working behind these activities.”
Khareef gives Dhofar a tourism advantage that is rare in the region. While much of the Arabian Peninsula experiences peak summer heat, the governorate is shaped by the monsoon season, with mist, light rain, green mountains and moderate temperatures attracting visitors to Salalah, coastal sites, wadis and mountain viewpoints. The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism describes the season as usually extending from June 21 to September 21.
That natural advantage is increasingly being supported by a more structured events calendar. By combining nature, culture, family entertainment and learning-based activities, Khareef Dhofar is moving beyond a weather-driven season towards a fuller visitor experience.
The challenge for organisers is to maintain quality across a long season and multiple sites. Clear daily schedules, crowd management, safety guidance and consistent services will be important as visitor numbers build through July and August. Visitors are advised to check the official daily programme and venue announcements before travelling to event sites, as timings and operational details may change during the season.
Visitors are advised to check the official daily programme and venue announcements before travelling to event sites, as timings and operational details may change during the season.
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