Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa today attended the launch of the fourth edition of the Muharraq Nights Festival, held as part of the Celebrate Bahrain Season.
Festivities take place along the Pearling Path, from Qal’at Bu Mahir to the Pearl Museum – Siyadi Majlis, celebrating the city’s rich and vibrant history.
He affirmed that national festivals and events held in the Kingdom of Bahrain are an important boost to tourism and the economy, highlighting that such events reflect the Kingdom’s heritage and successes over the years thanks to the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman noted that the Muharraq Nights Festival is a prominent event within the Celebrate Bahrain Season calendar, celebrating Bahrain’s identity and Muharraq’s longstanding heritage, and contributing to strengthening the Kingdom's position as an attractive regional tourist destination.
He highlighted that the ongoing success of these events and showcasing the Kingdom’s rich culture and heritage reflects Bahrain's commitment to boosting the tourism sector.
HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman commended the outstanding organisation of the festival, expressing appreciation for the efforts of the organisers in highlighting Muharraq's authentic cultural identity and reinforcing its presence as a vibrant cultural destination.
For his part, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), expressed his sincere appreciation for Shaikh Mohammed’s attendance and continued support for the Kingdom’s cultural and heritage events.
He affirmed that the festival has firmly established itself as one of the most prominent cultural events in Bahrain and the wider region, marking a significant moment within the cultural landscape of the Kingdom and neighbouring countries.
Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed noted that the festival represents an exceptional celebration of the historic city of Muharraq, reinforcing its role as a cultural beacon and its unique identity connected to the Pearling Path, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
He highlighted that organising the festival as part of the Celebrate Bahrain Season underscores the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to showcasing national heritage. He noted that Muharraq — listed within UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network — continues to strengthen its cultural presence thanks to its living history and heritage assets, which make it a continually renewed centre of creativity on the global cultural map.
Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed emphasised that the festival continues to grow each year due to its role in enhancing cultural awareness, and supported by partners from the public and private sectors who contribute significantly to the success of this major cultural event.
The festival is organised by BACA in partnership with the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) and the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), as well as gold-tier partners Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Design Creative, GFH Financial Group, Gulf Petrochemical Industries Co. (GPIC), and National Bank of Kuwait (NBK). Silver-tier partners include Al Salam Bank, Asian Paints Berger, Batelco by Beyon, ila Bank, Infracorp and Khaleeji Bank. This partnership reflects the vital role of the private sector in supporting cultural initiatives and advancing creative endeavours in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The fourth edition of Muharraq Nights runs daily until 30 December 2025, from Sunday to Wednesday, 5 PM to 10 PM, and from Thursday to Saturday, 5 PM to 12 AM. Events are held across multiple sites along the Pearling Path, which stretches 3.5 kilometres through the heart of the historic city, where houses, courtyards and vibrant public spaces create a sequence of live experiences blending history and modernity, offering visitors pathways for exploration that remain true to the spirit and identity of the place.
The festival’s extensive programme spans a variety of stations that transform into dynamic hubs where art, design, crafts, music, children’s activities, culinary experiences and guided tours intersect — forming interactive experiences that connect the city’s heritage with its contemporary creative movement. For information, updates, daily schedules and registration, visitors may refer to the Pearling Path website or follow @CultureBah and @pearlingpath.
In art, the Pearling Path features a broad spectrum of visual and conceptual experiences that enrich artistic appreciation and speak to diverse audiences, in collaboration with institutions including Al Riwaq Art Space, Albareh Art Space, The Art Station, Bu Saad Art Gallery and the Museum of Engraving and Printmaking – Jamal A. Rahim Art Gallery. Exhibitions across multiple venues showcase works by emerging and established artists from Bahrain, the region and the world, spanning painting, photography and installation art. Highlights include In the Lapse of Tides, Connecting Seas — first presented during Bahrain’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka — and other encounters reflecting the vibrancy of Muharraq’s creative landscape. Outdoor installations further enrich the experience with contributions from Bahraini and international artists.
In design, Muharraq Nights presents distinctive spaces that highlight the richness of local culture alongside contemporary design. This year features Assouline, Kalimat House from Saudi Arabia, and AlSadu Society from Kuwait. The Public Pages series brings together regional and international publishers and bookshops, while the Design Majlis hosts talks and creative sessions on architecture, storytelling and visual culture. Meanwhile, the Under the Spotlight project revitalises ten traditional shops through design interventions inspired by Bahraini identity, merging urban heritage with experiential tourism.
In crafts, visitors explore essential components of Bahraini heritage, with traditional houses and sites presenting authentic craft practices including Bait Al Naqda, Dar Al Banaeen Gypsum & Decorations, goldsmiths in Bu Mahir and Suq Al Qaysariyyah, Depaj Swords Workshop, Al Darwaza Carpentry, Bu Zaboon Antiques and Kurar House.
Musical and artistic performances further animate the historic quarters of Muharraq, with traditional folklore, women’s folk arts and live music hosted at Qal’at Bu Mahir, Dar Al Muharraq, Albareh House, Kalimat House, Suq Block 216, Suq Barahat Fakhro, Mohammed Bin Faris Music Hall, the Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Centre, Jamsheer House and other locations.
Culinary stations along the Pearling Path offer traditional Bahraini dishes and international cuisines, with flavours presented in innovative forms inspired by local heritage. These outlets support local businesses, sustainability and vibrant social atmospheres.
Muharraq Nights also provides a creative educational experience for children, featuring workshops on art, crafts, design and storytelling through the Creative Zone, Colour Lab, puppet theatre, marine adventures and more — nurturing imagination and introducing the younger generation to Bahraini heritage interactively.
For adults, the festival offers lectures, discussions and creative seminars led by thinkers, artists and experts in arts, heritage and design, including Creative Horizons, Amana Creative Collective, Ta’a Al Shabab, Rashid AlZayani Foundation and the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research.
Tours are among the standout features of this edition, offering diverse heritage experiences including sketching tours, photography tours, Pearling Path heritage tours and thematic explorations such as Maritime Tales, 100 Years Since the Tab’aa and Between the Dawaees, organised by the Bahrain Students Architecture Association (BSAA). Cultural scooter tours, bicycle tours with Kashta Tours, literary tours and special tours at the Pearl Museum – Siyadi Majlis are also available.
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