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Celebrate Bahrain
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December: Carnivals, fireworks, and fab deals to Celebrate Bahrain

Your guide to a fun-packed month

Here in the Kingdom, the month of December is the time to Celebrate Bahrain.

This year, we have an exciting line-up of events and brilliant offers throughout the month in celebration of Bahrain’s 53rd National Day.

From vibrant sounds of music, thrilling sports events, epic fireworks displays, tons of cultural experiences, and more – there will be so many ways to celebrate Bahrain.

You might also like: What to expect at the Muharraq Nights Festival 2024

Plus, with festive season lining up perfectly, we’ve got fabulous things to do left, right, and centre in the city – just how we love it.

Best ways to Celebrate Bahrain 2024

Awesome events

Al Baraha Nights

Although the souq has kept their description *very* vague – this spot is known for it’s hints of old Bahrain in its architecture. It’s a lovely open-air mall with tons of fabulous little markets, a basket weaving or crafts station, and a mixture of traditional and modern experiences. Head here and find out what they have in store for Al Baraha Nights.

Free admission. Dec 1-31. Open daily, 10am-10pm. Muharraq. @souq.albaraha.

Muharraq Nights Festival

muharraq nights festival 2024 - bahrain events 2024 - celebrate bahrain
Credit: @culturebah

With the marvelous Muharraq Nights Festival back this year, you’ll be quickly reminded why this vibrant city is a perfect place to celebrate Bahrain and why it is considered the heart and soul of the Kingdom.

From fabulous shows, music, fun family activities, brilliant tours, and foodie experiences – there’s lots to explore from December 5 to 30 across the historic and UNESCO-listed Pearling Path.

Free admission. Dec 5-30, Sun-Wed 5pm-10pm, ‏Thu-Sat 5pm-midnight. Pearling Path, Muharraq. @culturebah @pearlingpath.

Wen w Bkm Festival

Returning this year to Celebrate Bahrain at the fabulous Bahrain International Circuit is the Wen w Bkm Festival featuring fun family entertainment, haunted house, live performances, fireworks, plus tons of local and international vendors on site to explore.

Tickets can be purchased from manama.platinumlist.bh.

From BD1.65. Dec 5-17, 4pm-midnight. Bahrain International Circuit. @wen.wbkm_ (3209 5013).

BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest

celebrate Bahrain Jazz Fest - bahrain events in bahrain
Credit: @bahrainjazzfest

If you haven’t noticed, music makes the world go round – and what better way to celebrate Bahrain than with a fabulous open-air jazz festival?

This year’s BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest theme is Together in Jazz, bringing together the tunes from across the globe and celebrating the diversity of the genre from all cultures.

From BD11. Fri Dec 6, 2pm. The Royal Golf Club, Riffa. @bahrainjazzfest (1760 0095).

Farmer’s Market

Celebrate Bahrain
Credit: Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority

One of the best ways to celebrate Bahrain is by supporting local farmers and businesses. This year, the Farmer’s Market at the stunning Budaiya Botanical Garden returns with a wide range of fresh products and exquisite Bahraini crafts.

Dec 7- Feb 22, 2025, 7am-2pm. Budaiya Botanical Gardens. @farmersbh.

Heritage Village

Architechtural wonders and cultural traditions are just waiting to be uncovered at Heritage Village. What better way to celebrate Bahrain than to deep dive into its rich history?

Expect fabulous performances, brilliant activities for kids and adults, plus an excellent marketplace.

Further details on the festival’s events and programmes will be announced closer to the official opening, so keep your eye on this space for updates.

Dec 12- Jan 4, 2025. Heritage Village, Ras Hayan. @heritagevillagebh.

Retro Manama

Retro Manama 2024
Credit: @manama_retro

The vibrant and historic Manama Souq is turning back the clock and transforming the bustling heart of the city into a huge time machine as part of the Celebrate Bahrain season with its new groovy Retro Manama.

The old market streets and shopping centres across the Souq will feature tons of cultural and artistic performances reflecting the Kingdom’s transformation throughout different historical periods.

It’s an absolute blast from the past.

Dec 25-Jan 7, 2025, time TBC. Manama Souq, Bab Al Bahrain. @manama_retro.

BRAVE CF Mixed Martial Arts

Celebrate Bahrain
Credit: Brave Combat Federation

Have a thing for MMA? The BRAVE CF 91 Mixed Martial Arts is said to be the biggest combat sports event of the year and is taking place in the Kingdom just in time to celebrate Bahrain. Head here for epic action-packed nights.

Tickets are available on manama.platinumlist.net.

From BD7.7. Fri Dec 13 and 15, 7pm. Khalifa Sport City, Isa Town. @bravemmaf.

Concerts, concerts, concerts (and theatre)

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Credit: @eminem

This year, not only do we get to celebrate Bahrain with a bunch of festivals and activities, but also concerts and plays. Tons of ‘em – including Boudchart on December 5, Eminem on December 10, First of its Kind on December 12-14, Bahraini Night on December 15, Majid Al Mohandis on December 26, and Lionel Richie on December 28.

Fireworks, baby

Celebrate Bahrain
Credit: Shutterstock

Ready to paint the town red and white? To celebrate Bahrain National Day this year, there will be a fantastic fireworks display at the Bahrain International Circuit on December 16 at 7pm.

And then, on December 31, head to the Bahrain Bay to ring in the New Year 2025 with a spectacular welcome across the skies.

Shop till you drop

celebrate bahrain - marassi galleria - things to do this week in bahrain - free things to do in bahrain
Credit: @marassigalleria

If you’re new in the city, you’ll be pleased to know that one of our favourite ways to celebrate Bahrain during this season is by taking advantage of the fabulous offers across the malls in the Kingdom.

Some of the top malls to visit in the month of December include The Avenues, Marassi Galleria, Moda Mall, City Centre Bahrain, Al Aali Mall, Seef Malls, Al Liwan, Souq Al Baraha, District 1, Dragon City, and Souq Al Qaisariya.

Art and Culture

celebrate bahrain - muharraq nights festival 2024
Credit: @pearlingpath

Another fantastic way to celebrate Bahrain this season is by exploring all the top attractions and best souks that make the Kingdom who it is today – including the Manama Souk, to Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Bahrain Fort, Bahrain National Museum, Pearling Path, Post Office Museum, House of Basket Weaving, RAK Art Foundation, Busaad Art Gallery, and more.

Liesure and sports

Credit: Bahrain International Karting Circuit

A bit of an adrenaline junkie? There are brilliant ways for you to celebrate Bahrain while enjoying the thrill of high-intensity sports activities including karting at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit, BIC Track Experience, Gravity Indoor Skydiving, Trax Indoor E-karting, ice skating at Funscape, horseback riding, rock climbin at The Crag, Yabeela, and golf at The Royal Golf Club.

Water activities

celebrate bahrain - water activities in bahrain - jetskiing
Credit: Water Garden City Beach

It doesn’t come as a surprise that water activities are so popular here – the country’s name literally means “two seas”.

To celebrate Bahrain this year, you can dive into all the fabulous water experiences in the city from Jarada Island, Bilaj Al Jazayer Beach, Solymar, Marassi Beach, to Water Garden City Beach.

There’s tons to do including pearl diving, snorkelling, stand up paddle-board, boat rides, kayak, jet ski, and more.

Hotel offers

Celebrate Bahrain
Credit: Celebrate Bahrain

National Day celebrations aren’t complete without some banging hotel stay offers in the city. Special offers during this season include special rates at luxury hotels, exclusive discounts, family packages, fine dining experiences, and more.

Click here for the full list of hotels and details.

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