Christmas and NYE Events round up for 2016

Well here we are once again in December and its starting to look an awful lot like Christmas in the shops. Each year I assemble a list of all of the Christmas and NYE events I can find for Muscat and a little further afield and this year is no exception, so here is the list:


1. Grand Hyatt, Muscat - 2464 1140 / muscat.dining@hyatt.com

DEC 13 - 6pm - FREE - Christmas Carols

DEC 24
Mokha Cafe - 7-11pm - RO 29 (dry) RO 36 (Sparkling wine) RO 16 (kids 6-12) Christmas buffet
Tuscany - 7-11pm - A la Carte pricing
Safari Bar - 7pm-3am - RO 5 cover charge
Safari Rooftop Grill - 7-11pm - RO 33 / 39 / 45 unlimited drinks with all packages, depends on what meat (or fish) you want.

DEC 25
Mokha Cafe - 12:30-4:30pm - RO 39 (sparkling wine) or RO 19 for kids aged 6-12.
Tuscany - 12:30-3:30pm - A la Carte pricing

DEC 31
Mokha Cafe - GRAND DISCO - 8pm-2am - RO 89 (full open bar) (Kids are RO 40). There is also a champagne bar in addition at a la carte pricing. If you book 10 tickets, receive 2 complimentary bottles of Moet & Chandon.
Tuscany - 8pm-2am - BLACK TIE DINNER - RO 80 open bar. (Kids are RO 40).
Safari Bar - RO 10 cover charge
Safari rooftop grill - RO 65 (Kids RO 30)

They also operate CAMP HYATT between 8pm-2am which is a special kids play area with Playstation, movies, face painting, snacks and drinks - free for parents attending functions at the hotel.

2. InterContinental, Muscat - 2468 0000 / 9137 3243 / fb.icm@ihg.com

DEC 6 - 5-6pm - FREE - Christmas tree lighting with carols from PDO school
DEC 13 - 4-5pm - FREE - Carols with Muscat International School
DEC 14 - 5-6pm - FREE - Carols with BSM Choir & Brass band
DEC 18, 19, 20, 21 - 5-6pm - Christmas kids activities - Gingerbread stuff
DEC 24
Al Ghazal Pub - 7pm-2am - RO 20 - Selection of turkey dishes, unlimited selected beverages,
Musandam Cafe - 7-11pm - RO 25++ (Kids are RO 12++) for Christmas buffet, booze package for an additional RO 8++
Tomato - RO 19++ - 7pm - 3 course dinner under the stars.
Trader Vics - 7pm - RO 28++ for a 3 course dinner including a Mai Thai cocktail, a la carte is available.

DEC 25
Musandam Cafe - 12-4pm - RO 28++ (Kids are RO 14++) (Booze add-on for RO 8++) for Christmas buffet

DEC 31
Trader Vics - 7pm - RO 60++ 5 course Polynesian dinner with free flowing drinks with bubbly at midnight
Al Ghazal - 7pm - RO 15 per person, includes 1 complimentary drink
The Gardens - 7pm - RO 60 per person - 80's retro night with open bar and flown in 5 piece British band "Counterflow". This is the cheapest Gala ball event in the city at a 5 star hotel.
Musandam Cafe - 7pm - RO 25++ (Kids are RO 12++) (Booze is RO 10++) for Arabian style dinner

JAN 1
Musandam Cafe - BRUNCH 12-4pm - RO 22++ (Kids are RO 11++) (Booze is RO 8++) for buffet lunch

3. Al Bustan Palace - 2476 4000 / boxoffice.albustan@ritzcarlton.com

DEC 8 - Christmas tree lighting ceremony - 4-6pm
DEC 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 - Gingerbread house decorating - 4-5pm
DEC 24
China Mood - 7-11pm - RO 45 set menu, kids are A la carte.
Al Khiran Terrace - 7-11pm - RO 29 (or RO 45 with booze) Kids RO 14 (6-12)
Beach Pavilion - 7-11pm - RO 45 5 course set menu (kids are a la carte)

DEC 25
Al Khiran Terrace - 12:30 - 4pm - RO 35 (RO 49 booze, RO 59 with bubbles) Kids RO 19 (6-12)

DEC 31
The Gardens - 8pm onwards - RO 110 including booze (and bubbles) (Kids RO 45). Black tie gala with live band and dinner outside. Send up a flying lantern to start the new year.
Beach party - 5-11pm - RO 19 (Kids RO 9) including 1 complimentary drink for buffet with live cooking stations
Al Khiran Terrace - 6:30-10:30pm - RO 45 (RO 69 with booze, kids RO 20) buffet dinner with lots of kids activities
Beach Pavilion - 7-11pm - RO 76 with 1 glass of bubbly - 5 course dinner right on the beach
China Mood - 7pm-12am - RO 76 with 1 glass of bubbly - 5 course Asian themed meal

4. Shangri La - 2477 6565 / fbreservation.slmu@shangri-la.com

DEC 14 - 6pm - Christmas tree lighting ceremony with carols
DEC 24 - all prices are "dry" - to make them "wet" add RO 10 ++ to each price noted below
Al Tanoor - 6:30-11pm - RO 25++ for traditional buffet
Samba - 6:30-11pm - RO 25++ for a traditional buffet
Capri Court - 7-11:30pm - RO 35++ for a five course Italian dinner
Bait al Bahr - 7-11:30pm - RO 35++ for a five course seafood dinner
Sultanah - 7-11:39pm - RO 59++ bbq buffet with unlimited wine & champagne with live band (don't need to add a tenner to this price for booze)
Shahrazad - 7-11:30pm - RO 50++ fvie course Arabic dinner with live belly dancing.

DEC 25
Al Tanoor - 12:30-4pm & 6:30-11pm - RO 25++ for traditional Christmas buffet lunch/dinner
Samba - 6:30-11pm - RO 18++ for a traditional buffet
Capri Court - 7-11:30pm - RO 25++ for a four course Italian dinner
Bait al Bahr - 7-11:30pm - RO 25++ for a five course seafood dinner then cocktails at BAB lounge
Sultanah - 7-11:39pm - RO 35++ five course set menu
Shahrazad - 7-11:30pm - RO 35++ fvie course Arabic dinner with live belly dancing.

DEC 31
Guests not staying in the hotel can attend the Turtle beach party for RO 119.560 per person (kids under 12 are half price) - includes open bar, live band and DJ - 10pm-1am, with after party till 2am at BAB lounge or the Piano bar - the price also includes the choice of dinner in either Al Tanoor or Sablah (buffets). Guests who book a room can do any of the things listed below and then head to the beach party as part of their pricing below.
Al Tanoor - 7:30-10:30pm - RO 45++ for buffet dinner
Bait al Bahr - 7:30-10:30pm - RO 45++ for 5 course dinner
Capri Court - 7:30-10:30pm - RO 45++ (kids RO 15++) for Italian 5 course dinner (kids have a set menu too)
Samba - 7:30-10:30pm - RO 35++ for a buffet dinner.

5. Radison Blu - 2448 7777 / reservations.muscat@radissonblu.com

DEC 14 - 4-6pm Christmas Carols with the Muscat International school choir
DEC 24 - Olivos - 6:30-11pm - RO 20 (RO 30 for booze, kids RO 10, under 5 free) - Christmas dinner buffet
DEC 25 - Olivos - 12-4:30pm - RO 25 (RO 35 with booze, kids RO 12.5, under 5 free) - Christmas bubbly brunch
DEC 31
Lazy Lizard - 7pm-1am - RO 45 (kids RO 22.5) including open bar, buffet dinner with Glitz and Glitter theme with guest DJ.
O'Malley's - 9pm-3am - RO 10 entry fee (ladies free) with "Bright Lights Party" as its theme.

6. The Sheraton - 2237 7777 / reservations.oman@sheraton.com - Oman's tallest hotel!
DEC 22 - 24 - Asado- 6-11pm - RO 39 - 9 course meal in their brand new (and very awesome) steak restaurant.
DEC 24 -  Courtyard - 6-11pm - RO 30 (RO 40 with booze, RO 50 with Ruinart Champagne) Christmas buffet dinner
DEC 25 - Courtyard - 12-4 - RO 30 (RO 40 with booze) Christmas day brunch with a very good spread a little departed from your regular Christmas fare.
DEC 25 - Asado - 6-11pm - RO 50 for a 6 course dinner
DEC 31
Asado - 7pm-3am - RO 75 - 9 course gala dinner with live entertainment
Countdown 2017 (organised by third party) - Held in Oman's largest ballroom, in Oman's tallest hotel - 7pm-3am - RO 25 (with 2 drinks) - for bulk bookings call 9779 8111 for volume pricing. Live entertainment by DJ duo Fully Charged from the UK along with support from 4 local DJ's. Buy tickets online by clicking here. Food available to buy a la carte from the hotel.
Courtyard - 7pm-3am - RO 70 (RO 90 with booze, RO 110 with booze and bubbles) big gala buffet
JAN 1 - Courtyard - 12-4pm - RO 30 (RO 40 with booze) hangover brunch.

7. The Chedi - 2452 4400 | restaurant@chedimuscat.com

DEC 23 - 1-4:30pm - The Restaurant - RO 25++ (RO 36++ with Prosecco, RO 56++ with Philipponnat bubbles) FRIDAY BRUNCH
DEC 25 - 12:30-4:30pm - The Restaurant - RO 46++ for Traditional Roast Turkey lunch/brunch. Drinks extra.
DEC 31 - From 8pm - The Restaurant - RO 115++ (drinks extra) for Gala buffet dinner with live band and DJ

8. The Hormuz Grand - 2435 0500 / reservations@hormuzgrandhotel.com

DEC 23 - 1-4pm - RO 10 Treasure hunt for the kids & pool access, RO 25 brunch for the parents
DEC 24
9am-12pm - RO 10 - Face painting, beads on a string, pool access for the kids. RO 35 for parents to go to the spa and have breakfast.
5:30-6pm - Carols
7-9pm - RO 10 - kids movie night
7-9pm - Straits Restaurant - RO 25 4 course dinner (traditional Christmas fare)
DEC 25
12:30-4pm - Kids activities - RO 10. Christmas brunch with live music and Santa visit RO 20++
DEC 31 - 7pm-2am RO 40 - kids sleep over party with child minders. RO 65 (includes drinks) Full buffet dinner with access to the NYE party later on.
NYE Party - DJ Ola Ras providing the entertainment  -RO 39 including drinks.

9. The Holiday Inn, Seeb - 9922 5764 / holidayinnmuscatalseeb@ihg.com

DEC 22 - 7-11pm - RO 17 (add RO 6++ for booze) for Arabic buffet night - EVERY THURSDAY
DEC 23 - BRUNCH - RO 17++ (add RO 6++ for booze) for a fizzy friday brunch - EVERY FRIDAY
DEC 25 - RO 20 (drinks packages available) for classic christmas lunch with a visit from Santa and activities for the kids as well as free pool access for kids under 12.
DEC 31 - RO 35 including drinks for lavish buffet with live music and dancing. Room stay packages available.

10. The Park Inn, Muscat - 2450 7888

DEC 24 - RO 16++ - RBG 3 course set menu dinner, booze extra
DEC 25 - RO 16++ - RBG 3 course set menu dinner, booze extra
DEC 31 - RO 18++ (or RO 20++ with booze) for buffet at RBG with access to the Sama Terrazza rooftop party

11. LAVAL - 2450 5112 / WhastApp +968 9699 4365 / cynthia@nbsoman.com

DEC 25 - Christmas Brunch - RO 25++ (kids RO 10++, under 5, free) (add booze for RO 12++). Traditional Christmas buffet with bouncy castle and Santa visit for the kids.
DEC 31 - Midnight in Paris, with live music from French band "Oriana & the Charmers" - From 7pm RO 65++ for seated buffet dinner and open bar. Alternate option is RO 35++ from 10pm for rooftop cocktail party, unlimited booze with a few canapes

12. Al Mouj - 2448 0027 | 9279 1187 / booking@axisoman.net

DEC 31 - 8pm-3am - RO 30 (single, with 1 drink) RO 50 (couple, with 1 drink each). VIP tables (unlimited food and drink) - 4 people RO 300; 6 people RO 450; 10 people RO 750. DJ night with 7 international DJ's playing all night long.

13. Marina Bandar Al Rowdha - 800 900 91

DEC 14 - RO 26 - In partnership with the national hospitality institute a Christmas dinner with bubbles on arrival and paired wines for each course. Live Christmas Carols from the Muscat Chamber choir.

14. The Bank - 2469 3699

DEC 7 - 8pm - 2am - Christmas Tree lighting.. and drinks
DEC 25 - Christmas set menu - RO 19.5 for a 3 course dinner, RO 16 for a 2 course dinner.
DEC 31 - Masquerade Ball - RO 10 entry, to book a table there is a minimum spend requirement of RO 25 per person. The new section of the terrace will be open, so smokers can rejoice.

14. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar - 2521 8000 / reservatons.aaja@anantara.com

DEC 16 - 6-7:30pm - Christmas tree lighting with carols.
DEC 23 - 12-5pm - Festive bazaar - local handicrafts combined with Omani and Thai cooking classes,
DEC 24 - 6-10pm - RO 32++ (Kids RO 16++) for an Omani / Thai fusion night.
DEC 25 - 12-3pm - RO 25++ (kids RO 12.5++) for traditional Christmas lunch, Santa will be making a visit.
DEC 31 - 7:30pm - 2am - RO 125++ (kids RO 62.5++) for their NYE event.

15. Anantara Al Baleed - 2322 8222 / albaleedsalalah@anantara.com

DEC 14 - 6pm - Christmas tree lighting with carols
DEC 24 - 6-7pm - Al Mina Mediterranean restaurant - complimentary cocktails and live music for in house guests
DEC 24 - 7-10:30pm - Sakalan - RO 25++ (kids RO 12++) Christmas buffet dinner along with live entertainment
DEC 25 - 1-4pm - Sakalan - RO 25++ (Kids RO 12++, Booze RO 35++, or Bubbly RO 45++) Christmas Brunch with a visit from Santa and live entertainment too.
DEC 31
Sakalan - 7pm-1am - RO 99++ (kids RO 49++) NYE party with wine guru cutting bottles open with his sword and the cocktail mixologist whipping up some tasty treats. Magic, juggling and a fire show is the entertainment along with live music and a dance floor. French bubbles available a la carte.
Mekong - 8pm-12am (then you can go to Sakalan for dancing) - RO 45++ (Kids RO 20++, booze RO 75++) for a Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese themed dinner. Mekong is the best restaurant in Salalah according to me!
JAN 1 - 7am-3:30pm - Sakalan - RO 19++ (Kids RO 11++) for a lazy breakfast with cooked to order breakfast dishes.

16. Rotana Salalah - 2327 5700 /

DEC 10 - 5pm - Christmas tree lighting
DEC 24 -
Saffron - 7-11pm - RO 16 for Christmas buffet dinner
Silk Road - 7-11pm - RO 22 for a 5 course set menu
DEC 25 - 12-3pm - RO 22 for Christmas lunch buffet (traditional stuff and oriental options) with a visit from Santa for the kids.
DEC 31 is fully booked - no walk-ins available!

17. Crowne Plaza Duqm - 2521 4444

DEC 25 - 12-3:30pm - RO 12.5 for traditional Christmas buffet - drinks extra
DEC 31 - from 7pm - Free entry to The Frontier Bar, buffet food option is RO 9, drinks extra

18. Radisson Sohar - 2664 0000

DEC 9 - 6-7:30pm - Christmas tree lighting
DEC 10-25 - 10am-10pm - Christmas Turkey roasted for you to take home - 4.5-5kg - RO 35 (48 hours order time)
DEC 24
Al Zafaran - 7-11pm RO 20 (Kids half price) Christmas buffet
Aqua Bar - 6pm-2am -RO 12 with a glass of mulled wine and turkey dinner
DEC 25 - 12-4pm RO 22 (book by 17 DEC and get 10% off) for Christmas buffer with santa visit and a half bottle of wine per person.
DEC 31
Pool side party - RO 45 (or RO 85 for couples) including booze. Carnival theme party with live band and dj.
Aqua Bar - RO 22 resident band and 5 drinks per ticket.

19. The Dolphin Club - 2459 0624

DEC 31 - From 8pm - RO 24 (Kids RO 12) (booze extra, but complimentary bubbles at midnight) for a live buffet with 3 DJ's providing the soundtrack for the night.

20. Muscat Hills - 2451 4082

DEC 31 - From 8pm - RO 55 (RO 98 VIP) all inclusive party (inc booze) All White party - Live band and DJ's.

21. The Oak - 2465 1080 | 9933 6078 / info@theoak.live (at The Cave)

DEC 31 - Reggae beachfest - Kevin Lyttle performing.

22. Rumba Lattina - 9447 7099 / 9695 3709 / 2465 1051 (at The Cave)

DEC 25 - From 7pm - RO 20 including complimentary 1/2 bottle of wine per 2 people, 4 course gourmet dinner and live latin band and dancing.
DEC 31 - From 7pm - RO 30 single, RO 50 couple - unlimited house drinks until midnight / RO 45 person for 4 course dinner and unlimited house drinks until midnight. Live band and a host of DJ's for the entertainment.

23. Mumtaz Mahal - 2460 5979 / 2460 7103 - contact@mumtazmahal.net

DEC 31 - From 7pm - RO 30 including a glass of bubbly - lavish buffet at Mumtaz Mahal.

24. O Sole Mio - 2447 9869 / 9984 0110 (it's in the Radisson Blu hotel)

DEC 31 - RO 25 with welcome drink, RO 35 unlimited house drinks - Special set menu

25. Al Loomie - 9097 6666

DEC 25 - From 2pm - RO 20++ - Christmas Day Lunch with unlimited house beverages
DEC 31 - 7:30pm-2am - RO 50 (kids under 15 RO 15) Lavish buffet with live music, dj and dancefloor, drinks included.

26. Golden Tulip Muscat - 9549 1834 / 2451 4444 / 9788 2080 | fb@goldentulipseeb.com

DEC 24 - From 7:30pm - RO 16++ - Christmas eve buffet dinner

DEC 25 - RO 13 Christmas Brunch (kids RO 6.5) including welcome glass of bubbly. Santa will visit.

DEC 31 - From 7:30pm - RO 16++ - Festive buffet dinner.

27. Maya - 9120 4883 / 9066 1238 / 2465 1060 (at The Cave)

DEC 31 - from 8pm - Live performance by Bollywood actor and DJ "Krazy Kat". Price unknown.

28. Millennium Hotel Muscat -

DEC 24-26 - 12:30-3:30pm & 7-10pm - RO 10 Christmas Brunch buffet.

29. Millennium Hotel Mussanah - 2687 1555 | reservations.mrmo@millenniumhotels.com

DEC 13 - JAN 8 - Gingerbread houses
DEC 18 - 5-6pm - Christmas tree lighting
DEC 24 - 6:30-10:30pm - RO 19.990 festive buffet and welcome drink
DEC 25 - 12-4pm - RO 19.990 festive brunch buffet with live music, welcome drink and access to the beach and the pools
DEC 31 - 8pm onwards - RO 40 (RO 50 with booze) for buffet dinner. Entry after 11pm is RO 25 (inc, booze). Retro theme with live band and visiting DJ's.

30. Crowne Plaza Salalah - 2323 8000 | fb.cpsalalah@ihg.com

DEC 24 - Pool Lawn & Beach restaurant - 7:30pm onwards - RO 40 for festive buffet with live music.
DEC 25 - Dolphin beach restaurant - 12:30-4pm RO 14 - Christmas brunch with Santa visiting the kids.
DEC 31
Dhofar Ballroom - 6:30pm onwards - RO 50 - Festive buffet and live band to see in the new year
Dolphin Beach restaurant - 6:30pm onwards - RO 50 - Omani buffet with live Omani band.

31. Crowne Plaza Muscat - 2466 0660

DEC 31 - 8pm-1am - RO 55 per person (open bar) extensive buffer menu with over 100 dishes on offer. Carnival theme. Kids under 16 are half price. Live entertainment.

32. The Park Inn, Duqm - 2208 5700 | info.duqm@rezidorparkinn.com

DEC 24 - RO 17 - 3 Course set menu with half a bottle of wine.
DEC 31 - RO 20 - 4 course set menu with half a bottle of wine.

Ask about their family weekend "relaxation" room package.

33. Radisson Blu, Sohar -

DEC 10-25 - Preorder a 4.5-5kg turkey for take-home RO 35
DEC 24
Al Zafaran - 7-11pm - RO 20 (with mulled wine) for a traditional Christmas buffet around the pool with live band and carols.
Aqua Bar - 6pm-2am - RO 12 for Turkey dinner, glass of mulled wine and live latino music.
DEC 25 - 12-4pm - RO 22 with half bottle of wine and buffet dinner, with Santa visiting the kids. Book by 17 DEC for 10% discount, groups of 10 or more get discounts too.
DEC 31
Al Zafaran - 8pm-1:30am - RO 45 (RO 85 for couples) - Gala dinner buffet with live band and DJ - Carnival theme (seems a popular theme this year!)
Aqua Bar - 6pm-3am - RO 22 for entry into the bar with resident band. Entry gets you 5 drinks tickets.

34. Coral Hotel & Apartments -

DEC 31 - Cloud Base rooftop restaurant - RO 20++ (includes buffet, soft drinks and shisha) with DJ Boss performing for your aural pleasure.. ;)


If you are reading this and there is a festive event you know about (or you work for a venue) then by all means please get in touch and send me an email - it is totally free to be included in the listings!

Check back for updates!

le fin.