MUSCAT: Amid the khareef drizzle that touches visitors’ faces and mountains draped in green, the activities of Khareef Dhofar 2026 have begun, offering visitors to Dhofar Governorate an exceptional experience that will continue until September 21. The season combines enchanting nature with cultural, artistic, sporting and entertainment events, reinforcing the governorate’s position as one of the region’s most important tourism destinations during the summer.
This year’s season comes with a fresh look and a rich programme featuring more than 100 events across several locations and wilayats. It caters to different age groups and offers varied experiences for families, young people and children, alongside international festivals, global performances, and heritage and cultural programmes. This reflects the diversity that distinguishes Dhofar Governorate and its unique natural, tourism and cultural assets.
Throughout this period, the governorate is adorned with mist, drizzle, flowing wadis and green plains. Nature itself becomes part of the visitor’s daily programme, creating a scene in which the environment and organised events come together to offer everyone an experience that is difficult to replicate anywhere else.
This year’s season sees the launch of several new destinations that add a contemporary dimension to the tourism experience. Foremost among them is the modern Up Town destination in Ateen Plain, which hosts the Salalah World Cup Fans Festival. Football enthusiasts can enjoy the atmosphere of international matches on giant screens amid accompanying activities and a festive setting. The destination also includes a modern amusement park, a recreational walkway and dedicated family areas, creating an integrated space that combines sport, entertainment and shopping.
At Salalah Public Park, the Health Garden introduces a new concept that combines entertainment with the promotion of quality of life through awareness programmes, health screenings, sporting activities and educational workshops. These encourage visitors to adopt healthy lifestyles in an interactive environment suitable for all ages.
The season also dedicates considerable space to children through the Kiddy Time event, held at Awqad Public Park. It is one of the largest events designed for children, combining education, entertainment and skills development.
The event includes the Children’s University, from which several specialised educational cities emerge, including Aviation City, Engineering City, Future City, Talent City and Military Discipline City. It also features ultraviolet light shows, a spaceman character, a welcoming teacher character, and cities representing different professions. These activities give children the opportunity to take part in practical experiences that stimulate knowledge and creativity, nurture a spirit of discovery and help shape their future ambitions in a safe and enjoyable environment.
The season maintains its heritage presence through the Return of the Past activities, which are among the events most popular with visitors. They revive aspects of traditional Omani life in general Khareef Dhofar 2026 and old Dhofari life in particular through heritage markets, traditional crafts, folk arts, old-style majlis settings and performances depicting authentic customs and traditions.
The event allows visitors to experience life as it was in the past and learn about the cultural and social heritage of Dhofar Governorate. It also contributes to strengthening national identity and connecting younger generations with their civilisational heritage.
During the khareef season, Ateen Square becomes a major centre for events, hosting a diverse daily programme that includes concerts, theatrical performances and public shows, alongside entertainment activities for families and children.
The square also hosts a large number of Omani projects and enterprises showcasing perfumes, incense, traditional products, clothing and handicrafts, bringing entertainment and shopping together in one location.
The season features an international artistic programme that includes a wide range of daily performances and carnivals. These include acrobatic performances, water shows, fire shows and roaming performances that create a festive atmosphere across the different event venues.
The season also features a broad cultural and artistic presence through the Harmony Choir, heritage symphonies by artist Mohammed al Qahoom, the Saudi Choir and the Basra Choir. In addition, Al Murooj Theatre hosts stand-up comedy performances and a variety of artistic evenings, offering visitors multiple options suited to different tastes.
Khareef Dhofar places strong emphasis on sporting events through a number of championships and competitions that attract athletes from within the Sultanate of Oman and abroad. Among the most prominent are the fifth edition of the Dhofar International Drag Race Championship, the Khareef Dhofar Traditional Weapons Competition, and the Salalah International Cycling Tour.
These events contribute to promoting sports tourism, strengthening youth participation and adding further vitality to the season’s programme through sporting competition.
This year’s season includes two prominent international events that reflect Dhofar Governorate’s presence on the global cultural events map.
The first edition of the Dhofar International Sculpture Festival will be held from August 15 to September 3, 2026, with the participation of leading sculptors and artists from different countries around the world. Participants will produce artistic works inspired by the Omani environment and the cultural identity of Dhofar Governorate. The sculptures will document Omani heritage and values through a contemporary artistic approach.
The governorate will also host the second edition of the Dhofar International Theatre Festival from September 14 to 22, 2026, with the participation of Arab and international theatre groups. The festival will provide a platform for theatre professionals to exchange expertise and experiences and will present diverse productions representing different theatrical schools, further strengthening Dhofar’s position as a centre for cultural and artistic activity at the international level.
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