Festive Traditions in Bahrain: National Holidays, Islamic Holy Days, and Cultural Festivals

Ramadan (رمضان) and Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر, Little Feast).

The holiest time of the year for Bahraini Muslims is the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During Ramadan, observant Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink and smoking. The fast (sawm) is both a personal sacrifice and a communal experience. In Bahrain, Ramadan profoundly affects daily life and the cityscape. By day, the nation moves at a slower pace: streets and shops are quieter, and the midday quiet is almost palpable. Work hours are often shortened, and schools hold only morning classes. For example, one travel guide notes that “as the crescent moon graces the sky, Bahraini streets come alive with the spirit of Ramadan”, yet during the day “the atmosphere of peace and tranquility pervades the whole country,” as people become more courteous and charitable.

As each sunset approaches, the streets of Manama and all towns grow vibrant and full of life. At Maghrib (sunset) time, every mosque’s call to prayer signals the end of fasting. Traditionally, a family will break the fast at home with a modest iftar meal. It is common to first eat a few dates and drink water (following the Prophet’s example). A typical Bahraini iftar table might include dishes such as chicken machboos (a spiced rice with meat), saloona (stew), lentil soup, fresh salads and flatbreads. Sweet treats are also part of the meal – local favorites include ma’ameed (date-filled cookies) and umm ali (a bread-pudding dessert). Tea or coffee is served afterwards to close the meal. After this home iftar, many people head out to the mosque for the Maghrib prayer, then continue to relax or socialize.

Nighttime in Ramadan is especially lively. Restaurants and hotels set up special “Ghabga” tents and buffets, offering lavish late-night meals and entertainment. The ghabga (Ramadan party) often starts a few hours after Iftar and continues into the early hours. Young people in particular flock to these events, held in upscale hotels or outdoor tents, which feature music, games, henna art and copious food. One local blog describes Ghabga nights in Bahrain as “a more festive occasion that usually involves music, entertainment, games, and more food… especially popular among young people who like to enjoy the nightlife during Ramadan”. These tents create a convivial festival atmosphere under lanterns and lights; participants don modest but new attire, and many lanterns (فوانيس رمضان) and decorations adorn the venues. Alternatively, community centers and family compounds may hold informal Ramadan parties where everyone shares dishes in a spirit of generosity.

Before the pre-dawn prayer (Fajr), Bahraini families gather again for suhoor, the last meal before sunrise. Suhoor is usually lighter – perhaps yogurt or laban (a yogurt drink), olives, dates, eggs, and tea – intended to sustain the fast through the day. After Suhoor and prayer, streets grow silent again until the next sunset. The daily rhythm of Ramadan thus oscillates between quiet restraint and joyous feasting. People often remark that in Ramadan “people are calmer and more courteous towards each other… they avoid arguments and conflicts… they give generously to charity; they pray more sincerely; they seek forgiveness…”. The day-to-day mood becomes pious and reflective.

Ramadan also highlights Bahrain’s multicultural makeup. Home to large communities from other Gulf countries, South Asia and beyond, Bahrain’s mosques are full, and one can hear Arabic, Urdu, English and other languages at iftar gatherings. A local expat guide notes that “mosques from different sects coexisting peacefully; you can taste different cuisines from different regions at iftar tables”. In Manama’s old souqs, especially the Bab al-Bahrain market, shopkeepers stay open late and decorate with lights and Ramadan banners. Vendors set up stalls selling nuts, dates (the sweet Ajwa and Medjool varieties are popular), and traditional sweets like halwa and qatayef (stuffed pancakes). A stroll through Bab al-Bahrain after dark feels particularly festive: children carry toy lanterns and families linger over mugs of karak tea. Many Bahraini authorities and charities ramp up relief efforts during Ramadan, organizing collective iftars for the needy and campaigns to feed workers and expatriate laborers. In this way, the holy month becomes a season of charity and community solidarity across Bahrain.

When Ramadan ends, the entire nation erupts into celebration for Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر), the Little Feast. The first morning of Shawwal (10th month) begins with special Eid prayers at mosques and large open fields. Men (and women in women-only congregations) dress in crisp new thobes and abayas, often having brought or gifted these new clothes in the last days of Ramadan. It is traditional to have a sweet treat (such as a date) on the way to prayer, and the Takbeer (proclamation “Allahu Akbar”) is recited joyfully as the prayer finishes. After the community prayer, people hug and exchange the greeting “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Mubarak Edenya” (Palestinian dialect usage, also common in Bahrain) – especially children, who run around excitedly. Elders give Eidiya (money or gifts) to the youngsters, a custom that fills Bahrain’s neighborhoods with happy, candy- or coin-bearing children visiting friends and family.

Homes and offices remain closed for 2–3 days for Eid al-Fitr, as Bahrain declares public holidays. The mood is purely celebratory and communal. Families come together for abundant meals; typical Eid dishes include grilled lamb or chicken, rice pilaf, and platters of sweets like gaubiat (meat-filled pastries) and kunafa. Families in Bahrain (often with many relatives attending) spend the day visiting, exchanging hospitality and giving formal ziyara (call visits) to elders. Many households prepare large outdoor picnics or barbecues, weather permitting. Evenings might bring fireworks in some neighborhoods or community centers. The spirit of Eid al-Fitr in Bahrain is essentially one of relief and gratitude – the fast is over, and people celebrate with joy, generosity, and charity. (Zakat al-fitr, an obligatory charity, must be given before the Eid prayer; Bahrainis often donate food parcels and money to ensure all have a festive meal.) Boutiques and markets also see a flurry of shopping in the days before Eid, as families buy new clothes, toys and home decorations to mark the occasion.

Day of Arafah (يوم عرفة) and Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى, Big Feast).

After the summer months, attention turns to the next major Islamic observance in the calendar year – the Hajj season. On 9 Dhu al-Hijjah (the 12th and final month), Bahrainis recognize the Day of Arafah (Arafat Day). This day commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s Farewell Sermon on Mount Arafat and is considered highly blessed. In Bahrain, as elsewhere, many devout Muslims spend the day fasting (a highly recommended Sunnah fast) and engage in extra prayers and Qur’an recitation. Some gather at mosques for lectures recalling the Prophet’s message of unity and service to others. Although Arafat Day is an official holiday in Bahrain, much of the country simply treats it as a quiet day of worship and reflection. Work is generally suspended for the day. In the evening of Arafah Day, families might hold the final pre-Eid banquet or collective Iftar if they have been fast-traditionally, but mostly people are inward-focused.

The very next day (10 Dhu al-Hijjah) is Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى), the Feast of Sacrifice. This is a major festival in Bahrain and is observed for about three days. The morning begins with Eid prayers similar to Eid al-Fitr. After prayers, the ritual of qurbani takes center stage: Muslim families who can afford it sacrifice a livestock animal (typically a sheep, goat or cow) in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. In Bahrain’s towns and even villages, one can find designated abattoirs or livestock markets in the days leading up to Eid. Many farms and commercial dealers are licensed to sell halal sheep; it is common for family and friends to go together to buy and distribute animals. After the sacrifice, the meat is divided into three parts: one third kept by the family, one third given to relatives and friends, and one third distributed to the poor. This ensures that all segments of Bahraini society partake in the Eid feast, especially those less fortunate.

The rest of Eid al-Adha is a jubilant family affair. Much like Eid al-Fitr, people wear new clothes and visit relatives. Houses are filled with the aroma of grilled lamb and hearty stews (often mutton biryani or thareed – meat with bread stew). Parents give children small amounts of Eidiya, and children often run among homes collecting treats. Outings resume: families may go to the country, parks or the Corniche to enjoy the summer evenings before the onset of cooler weather. Since many Bahrainis are not performing the actual Hajj pilgrimage (which occurs concurrently), they recreate the spirit at home. It is customary in some communities to decorate cars with balloons or flags and to play traditional music on drives between villages, creating a festive caravan effect. Community centers might host Eid festivals with small carnivals, and well-known sites like the Bahrain National Museum sometimes organize open days or Eid-themed storytelling for children.

Because 2025’s Eid al-Adha falls in early June (with Arafat Day on June 5, Eid on June 7-9, 2025), the weather is extremely hot; many families stick to evenings or air-conditioned gatherings. Nevertheless, the communal spirit remains strong. The city of Muharraq and villages are often quieter in the first Eid days, as people gather for long lunches. By the third day of Eid (which is sometimes called the “Little Eid” following the Big Eid), open markets begin to buzz again, and workers return to duties.

Islamic New Year (Arabic New Year, رأس السنة الهجرية).

The first day of Muharram (the month following Dhu al-Hijjah) is the Islamic or Hijri New Year. Bahrain officially observes this day as a public holiday. In contrast to the exuberance of National Day or Eid, the Islamic New Year is marked quietly. It is a day for solemn reflection and remembering the passage of time since the Hijra (migration) of the Prophet in 622 CE. Some families may attend special lectures or recitations at mosques and Hussainiyas, focusing on renewal of faith and the Hijri calendar’s meaning. In conservative neighborhoods, there may be a custom for children and adults to fast on this day (following some interpretations of the Prophet’s teachings). No street celebrations or fireworks occur; instead, individuals might make supplications for blessing in the new year. Overall public life is subdued – shops may close on time, and the mood is contemplative.

Day of Ashura (عاشوراء) and the first ten days of Muharram. One of the most distinctive observances in Bahrain is Ashura, on the 9th and 10th of Muharram (yearly, dates shift by 11 days in the Gregorian calendar). Bahrain has a majority Shia Muslim population, and Ashura is one of the holiest and most solemn days in Shia Islam. It commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala in 680 CE. In Bahrain, the first ten days of Muharram are a period of mourning. During these days, Shia communities hold daily assemblies (majalis) in their local matams (Hussainiya halls). In each gathering, a cleric narrates the historical story of Karbala, recites elegiac poetry and Qur’an, and the congregation expresses grief through chest-beating (a ritual known as latm) or rhythmic elegy chanting. The emotional intensity builds with each passing day.

On the night of Ashura (9th Muharram) and the day of Ashura itself (10th Muharram), Bahrain’s Shia community organizes processions through the streets. Men dressed in black march together, often carrying flags or banners of Imam Hussein. Some participants wear symbolic chains or knives (for self-flagellation), though Bahrain’s authorities have discouraged the latter practice in recent years for safety reasons. Women and children generally observe indoors or in segregated sections of processions, reciting lamentations. The processions stop at various stations (ma’tams) where mourners break the chain-beating briefly to allow someone to recite poetry and a sermon. When the speaker reaches the part about Hussein’s death, the crowd responds with griefful cries and cries of “Ya Hussein!” or “Labayka ya Hussein!”. The atmosphere is somber and emotionally charged; one writer notes that Ashura mourning in Bahrain is seen “as an act of protest against oppression, a struggle for God, and a means of securing the intercession of Hussein”.

Ashura in Bahrain is somewhat unique in the Gulf: it is said that “thousands of Gulf nationals visit Bahrain during Muharram to participate in the religious processions” because Bahrain allows these ceremonies more openly than most neighboring countries. In fact, observers note that Bahrain, having a Shia majority, welcomes Ashura with national recognition. The streets of central Manama – especially the area around Imam Hussein Avenue – become focal points for public mourning. Black banners are hung on public buildings in Shia neighborhoods, and television stations air documentaries about Karbala. Government offices and schools close for these days. In a very real sense, Ashura has the feel of a national holiday, albeit a sorrowful one. Many people choose to stay home or limit entertainment; even movie theaters will screen religious films about Imam Hussein.

Sunni citizens of Bahrain observe Ashura differently. For most Sunnis, Ashura is primarily known as the day Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh (based on Sunni tradition), and some Sunnis observe it by an optional fast. Others use the day for quiet prayer or simply carry on with regular life, as they would for any ordinary Islamic New Year. Bahrain’s leadership typically encourages respect during Ashura but maintains that all citizens should observe the law. (In recent years, authorities have imposed rules on loudspeakers and flag display to prevent sectarian tensions during Muharram.)

In summary, Ashura and the early Muharram period in Bahrain are characterized by collective mourning rituals. The public mood is deeply sober and reflective – streets empty out and a hushed hush falls over Shia-majority districts. Traditional food distribution (serving free sweet soup of Ashura called ma’zouna or bus kut in some places) happens in the evenings, and families serve breakfast to those who have been out in the night processions. Despite its solemnity, this time unites Bahrainis in devotion and remembrance of history.

Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (المولد النبوي, Mawlid al-Nabi).

The 12th day of Rabi‘ al-Awwal (the third Islamic month) is observed in Bahrain as the Prophet’s birthday – a public holiday. While the Prophet himself did not institute this celebration, over the centuries many Muslims have commemorated his birth with gatherings and religious recitations. In Bahrain, it is customary to mark Mawlid with increased devotion and charity. Mosques host mashayih (religious scholars) who deliver sermons and readings from the Hadith, focusing on the Prophet’s mercy and teachings. Families often decorate their homes with small banners or lights, and many will visit relatives or hold communal meals. It is common for people to give sweets and distribute food to the needy on this day – an expression of the Prophet’s hospitality. Devotional songs in praise of Muhammad, known as na’at or qasida, may be sung in intimate gatherings. Children might carry lanterns or tiny replicas of mosques in processions through neighborhoods.

The overall mood of Mawlid day is reverent but festive. It resembles a mix of a spiritual learning day and a gentle festival of kindness. Bahrain’s counting-days guide emphasizes that “Mawlid al-Nabi is marked as a public holiday, allowing people to engage in spiritual activities and family gatherings”. In practice, government offices are closed, and many families cook a big meal to share. There are no fireworks or public carnivals, but the night might see special Quran recitations and stories about the Prophet’s life being shared by elders. It is a reminder of Islam’s historical roots in everyday Bahraini life, even as the country modernizes.

(For completeness, note that Islamic New Year (1 Muharram) also carries a holiday status but with no public celebration beyond prayer and reflection.)

New Year’s Eve – December 31 (الميلاد الدولي الجديد).

Although not an official religious holiday, the end of the Gregorian year has also become a notable event in Bahrain’s cosmopolitan quarters. As OrangeSmile notes, “many large hotels and clubs celebrate New Year with shows, parties, and fireworks”. In upscale neighborhoods of Manama and at venues like Exhibition World Bahrain, expatriates and young Bahrainis ring in the new year with dance events and light displays. For example, the bayside promenade or shopping malls will host countdown clocks, and some retailers stay open late for sales. This reflects Bahrain’s multiculturalism – with Christians, Indians, Filipinos and Westerners among the population, New Year’s Eve is a chance for cross-cultural celebration. However, since it is not an Islamic festivity, participation is voluntary and mostly urban; rural villages and public authorities remain low-key. Nonetheless, it is a fixture of modern Bahraini life that illustrates the blend of local and global: at midnight on Dec 31, you can hear music blaring from clubs even as mosques await the peaceful hour of dawn to resume Ramadan teaching.