Holidays and Festivals

Bahrain is a Muslim nation, hence its national holidays are mostly devoted to Islam and follow a set calendar that varies annually based on the lunar calendar. The major annual celebration is known as Eid, which in Arabic means "festival." These events typically signal the end of the most solemn religious seasons of the year. That is one of the unique cultural characteristics of Bahrain. Hence, Islam is a largely family-oriented religion, and hence, celebrations of these anniversaries frequently take place in private, with large extended families coming together to partake in lavish feasts in residential compounds.

• Muharram - Islamic New Year: An alcohol embargo is strictly enforced as a means to promote purity, making it one of the most eagerly anticipated occasions of the year. Both the Islamic and Christian New Years are observed in January, hence the two occasions frequently combine into a single month of festivities.
• Ashura: The majority Shi'a Muslims of Bahrain congregate to remember Hussain ibn Ali's martyrdom on the tenth day of Muharram, according to the Islamic calendar. Most people see this time as a sorrowful time of deep sorrow and mourning rather than a festival. It is interesting to observe how the community comes together to celebrate the day through a variety of processions and customs.
• Milad Al Nabi: Bahrain's biggest event, Milad Al Nabi, commemorates the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. Although they commemorate the occasion on different days, the Sunnis and the Shi'ites, the two main Islamic groups on the island, both honor the legacy of this significant Muslim person. Every year in April, processions, dining, and storytelling create a festive atmosphere.
• Independence Day: Every June, on Independence Day, all Bahrainis put aside their differences in caste, religion, and socioeconomic class to celebrate with fireworks, opera, and all-day celebrations. It commemorates the day in 1971 when Bahrain reclaimed its independence from Britain after more than a century of being a protectorate state.
• Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr: Muslims view the holy month of Ramadan as the "festive season," a time for giving and introspection. Muslims are supposed to fast during the day, but the nights are particularly enjoyable since families go out to celebrate over supper and special Ramadan tents. Eid Al Fitr, a three-day festival of feasts and charitable actions, marks the end of Ramadan.