HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman Launches Second Edition of Hawa Al Manama Festival

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His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa officially inaugurated the second edition of the Hawa Al Manama festival, a cornerstone of the Celebrate Bahrain season. Running from December 25, 2025, to January 15, 2026, the festival is designed to showcase Bahrain’s rich cultural and historical landscape while strengthening its status as a premier regional and global tourist destination. During the launch, His Highness emphasized that the event aligns with the Kingdom’s broader vision to preserve the historical identity of the Manama Souq through an integrated redevelopment plan, fostering a partnership between the public and private sectors to drive sustainable economic and tourism growth.

The festival transforms the heart of the capital into a nostalgic journey through time, specifically recreating the social and cultural atmosphere of the 1960s to the 1990s. This year’s edition is the largest to date, featuring over 200 Bahraini businesses, 300 retail outlets, and 90 curated experiences brought to life by 250 young Bahrainis. Key attractions span multiple iconic locations, including the Batelco Building’s museums and escape rooms, the Yateem Complex’s classic car exhibition, and Al Fadhel Square, which hosts nostalgic basketball matchups featuring legendary Bahraini clubs. The festival also highlights aromatic heritage in the Oriental Neighborhood and revives 1980s retro shopping at the Al Zaina Complex.

Complementing the retail and heritage offerings is a diverse culinary and artistic program that blends traditional Bahraini flavors with contemporary dining. Visitors can explore local folklore through children’s activities like Um Al Khadhar Wal Leef, attend screenings at the historic Manama Theater, or enjoy the timeless music of Abdel Halim Hafez and Umm Kulthum in dedicated cultural districts. To accommodate the anticipated influx of families from the GCC and beyond, the Ministry of Tourism has implemented a comprehensive visitor experience plan, including over 4,000 parking spaces and specialized traffic management, ensuring that Hawa Al Manama serves as a vibrant gateway to Bahrain’s authentic past and its dynamic future.