If you’re the kind of person who gets awe-inspired by ancient artefacts, history, and stories of the bygone era—International Museum Day in Bahrain is about to be your favourite time of the year.
From historic tours and open-air art sessions to kayaking adventures and flavour-packed culinary journeys, the Kingdom is rolling out a full programme of cultural experiences throughout May. Here’s your guide to exploring Bahrain through its vibrant heritage keepers.
Venue: Al Khamis Mosque
Date: Saturday, 17 May
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Start with a walk through Bahrain’s pearling legacy. The Pearl Museum Tour explores Siyadi Majlis and other gems along the Pearling Path, offering insights into the country’s golden era. With restored houses and traditional architecture, it’s a step back in time you won’t want to miss.
Venue: Al Khamis Mosque
Date: Saturday, 17 May
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Prefer pencil to prose? Join Sketchwalks.bh for a creative tour of Al Khamis Mosque, one of Bahrain’s oldest Islamic landmarks. This guided sketch tour invites you to capture the site’s historic charm through your artistic lens.
Venue: Bahrain National Museum
Dates: Saturdays, 17 & 24 May
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Get hands-on with history in this two-part workshop. You’ll craft pottery cups inspired by ancient design and personalise them using cuneiform inscriptions. It’s tactile, calming, and a little bit poetic. For the Bahrain National Museum’s location, click here.
Venue: Kanoo Museum, Manama
Date: Sunday, 18 May
Tour Times: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm and 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Take a stroll through time in the heart of the Old Manama Souq. The Kanoo Museum houses a unique collection of artefacts narrating Bahrain’s cultural and commercial evolution through the lens of the Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group.
Venue: Kanoo Museum
Date: Sunday, 18 May
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Explore abstract art in a session led by artist Zain Al-Kooheji. This workshop is all about expression, experimentation, and using art as a bridge for cultural understanding.
Venue: Bahrain National Museum
Date: Thursday, 22 May
Time: 6:00 pm onwards
What happens inside the Louvre when the lights are off and the crowds have gone? This film offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most iconic museums. A part of the Francofilm Festival Bahrain, it’s a must-watch for art and museum lovers alike.
Starting Point: Qal’at Al Bahrain (or the Bahrain Fort Museum)
Date: Saturday, 24 May
Time: 3:00 pm
This guided kayak tour takes you through the historically rich Hadhra area, ending at the tranquil Nurana Island. It’s a scenic, story-filled paddle topped off with sunset views.
Venue: Bahrain National Museum
Date: Thursday, 29 May
Time: 7:00 pm
This exhibition features historical artefacts from the Al Hassan family, tracing their legacy through pivotal moments in the island’s history at Bahrain National Museum Manama. A quiet, meaningful display of personal and national memory.
Venue: Bahrain National Museum
Date: Saturday, 31 May
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Enjoy a unique painting session outdoors with artist Ebrahim AlGhanem. With the museum’s surroundings and live music setting the tone, creativity is bound to flourish.
Venue: Darseen Café, Bahrain National Museum
Dates: Thursday – Saturday, 15 – 17 May
Time: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Taste the past with a menu inspired by the ancient Dilmun civilisation. Darseen Café brings Bahrain’s culinary roots to life through thoughtfully curated dishes for Museum Day.
Venue: GB Café, Qal’at Al Bahrain Site Museum
Date: Saturday, 17 May
Time: 12:30 pm – 10:00 pm (Live music: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm)
End your day with a meal by the sea. Set between the historic Bahrain Fort and the open waters, Green Bar Café serves up local dishes with a side of live music. It’s relaxed, atmospheric, and a true meeting of the senses.
From ancient artefacts to contemporary creativity, this year’s Museum Day celebrations in Bahrain invite you to explore, create, and connect. Mark your calendars, choose your favourites—or better yet, try to experience them all.
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