ASHKHARAH: The fourth edition of the Ashkharah Summer Festival 2026 continues to draw large numbers of visitors from across Oman, the GCC and other Arab countries, further cementing Ashkharah's position as one of the Sultanate's leading summer tourism destinations.
The festival opened with the ‘Ashkharah, Our Tourism Gathering’ community walk, which covered a six-kilometre route along Ashkharah Beach. The event brought together participants of all ages to promote healthy lifestyles, encourage community sports and showcase the wilayat’s natural beauty and tourism potential. Participating teams were honoured on the festival’s open-air stage by Mohammed bin Humaid al Ghabshi, Wali of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali and Chairman of the Festival Organising Committee.
The evening programme featured a traditional camel parade involving more than 100 camels, drawing enthusiastic crowds and celebrating Oman's rich cultural heritage and the enduring significance of camels as a symbol of the nation's identity.
The open-air theatre also hosted a variety of family-oriented entertainment, including children's competitions, magic and clown performances, Egyptian Saidi and African folklore shows, as well as the theatrical production Subway. The evening concluded with a poetry gathering featuring Omani poets Saleh al Mashaykhi, Nasser al Hashmi, Faisal al Sinani and Ali al Kasbi, followed by a musical performance by vocalist Tamim bin Khalifa al Badi, which was warmly received by the audience.
Visitors continued to flock to the festival's attractions throughout the day, particularly the heritage village Majalis Al Khair, where a traditional poetry tent hosted by poet Mohammed bin Ghabish al Sinaidi complemented exhibitions highlighting Oman's maritime heritage and the traditional craft of wooden boat building, one of Ashkharah's most distinctive cultural traditions.
The Kayan Al Reef pavilion, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism stand and the consumer market also recorded strong visitor turnout, offering interactive activities, virtual reality experiences, handicraft displays and competitions.
Recreational areas featuring electric, inflatable and water games, cycling activities and a zipline proved especially popular among families and children, providing a comprehensive entertainment experience for visitors of all ages.
Expressing his appreciation for the festival, visitor Naser bin Rashid Al Saadi said the event had successfully combined Oman's authentic heritage with modern entertainment, creating an enjoyable experience for the entire family while reflecting the organisers' commitment to delivering a high-quality tourism event.
Another visitor, Maha bint Hamood al Maamari, described the festival as a distinctive summer destination, praising its diverse cultural, heritage and sporting programmes as well as Ashkharah's unique coastal setting, which together offer visitors a memorable tourism experience.
Festival activities continue with a Duathlon Race, alongside cultural performances, heritage displays, children's competitions, daily prize draws and a range of accompanying events. The festival will run until August 15, reinforcing its role in promoting domestic tourism, preserving Omani heritage, supporting small businesses and productive families, and stimulating economic activity across the region.
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