Do you know what Omani Christmas looks like? Yes, it can be the most beautiful holiday ever!

Are you wondering what Christmas looks like in Oman? Then you are in the right place!

Although it is a Muslim country, it is also a place where people worldwide come to enjoy its warm hospitality.

If you travel here during the Christmas holidays, you will see it is a country for everyone!

If this is something you want to know more about, keep reading!

How do Omanis celebrate Christmas?

Omani Christmas is a time of great joy and excitement. It is also one of the busiest times of the year in the capital, Muscat.

Most people follow a branch of the Islamic faith – Ibadi- considered tolerant and moderate. Christmas is not an official holiday in the country, but people still enjoy its traditions, and it is not uncommon to see decorated Christmas trees in shopping malls and hotels or to hear people caroling as December 25 approaches.

Christmas is not an official holiday in Oman, but people here still enjoy the spirit of traditions and Christmas.

What is served on the Christmas table in Oman?

The Omani specialties accompanying Christmas are epic, including three days full of food and exuberant family celebrations. Celebrations and feasts occur everywhere, both in the capital and traditional villages. They are always full of love, joy, and food.

It doesn’t matter where you spend your Christmas celebrations, whether sitting on the floor of an aging villa with food spread out on the ground in front of you or sitting at an elegant dining table in a huge modern house. Christmas food and the hospitality of the people sharing the feast are the same everywhere.

During the first day of the holiday, chicken and rice porridge, called area, is eaten, and Omani coffee with cardamom and rose water is drunk.

Meanwhile, the men take care of slaughtering the animal (usually a goat or lamb) and start cooking a traditional celebratory dish called shuwa.

To make shuwa, pieces of meat are sliced and seasoned with a heady spice blend that includes cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, hot chili peppers, cloves, and black pepper mixed in oil.

The seasoned meat is wrapped in banana leaves, tucked into a woven palm leaf bag, and placed underground over hot coals, where it is cooked overnight.

The next day, the bags are opened, and the fragrant meat covered in spices is served in huge rice bowls.

Christmas tree in Qatar

For most people, Christmas cannot happen without a Christmas tree. This is the reason why several places in the Sultanate have taken up the task of decorating the festive Christmas tree.

No Christmas event is complete without decorated green Christmas trees, so head to one of the hotels/resorts and enjoy the festivities.

Where to buy Christmas presents?

From Christmas trees and lights to Santa hats, Omani department stores offer everything you need to celebrate the holidays.

Christmas markets aren’t as popular in Oman as they are in Europe, but there are still some great places to visit, and if you’re thinking of doing some last-minute gift shopping, you should visit Souk Al-Bustan and Souk Muttrah.

These two markets are located in Muscat, the capital of Oman. They are full of shops and stalls selling everything from traditional handmade jewelry to gold-plated watches. You can also find unique Christmas decorations here.

What places to visit during the Christmas holidays?

Large luxury hotels are one of the most popular places for people to gather during Christmas.

Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa features a 13-meter-tall Christmas tree in the resort and is decorated with more than 15,000 lights and 2,000 candies.

It takes about ten people three days to erect this tree. A large number of people participate during the tree lighting ceremony. The staff then prepare various foods and drinks, such as Christmas cookies, and the children play and sing Christmas carols.

Various large hotels in Oman have special holiday menus that prepare a traditional Christmas dinner. One of the most popular options is the Safari Rooftop Grill House at the Grand Hyatt. On Christmas Day, the restaurant serves a traditional buffet with turkey and other traditional dishes.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Al Bustan Palace has a tree-lighting ceremony in the lobby. It also organizes various activities, including workshops that allow them to create their own Christmas cottages.