Muscat International Book Fair
Muscat
The 30th Muscat International Book Fair runs from 24 March to 3 April 2027. Postponed in 2026, it takes the creative industries as its theme and Al Wusta Governorate as guest of honour. In 2025 the fair drew nearly 650,000 visitors and 674 publishers from 35 countries.
Dates
- 24 March 2027 – 3 April 2027 — 30th Muscat International Book Fair (guest of honour: Al Wusta Governorate)
Source: Oman Observer, 21 octobre 2026 — accessed 3 November 2026
Oman's big book event
The Muscat International Book Fair is one of the leading cultural gatherings in the region. Its 30th edition runs from Wednesday 24 March to Saturday 3 April 2027: the dates were set by the fair's main committee, chaired by the Minister of Information, Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, and announced in October 2026.
This edition was first planned for 26 March to 5 April 2026. The minister postponed it on 8 March 2026, after an assessment of the regional situation, without setting a new date at the time.
The 2027 programme
The theme of the 30th edition is the creative industries, in their cultural, intellectual and economic dimensions. The guest of honour is Al Wusta Governorate, which will present its history, culture, heritage and natural resources. Details of exhibitors, talks and opening hours have not yet been published.
The 2025 edition
The 29th edition was held from 24 April to 3 May 2025 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC). It brought together 674 publishing houses from 35 countries and some 681,000 Omani, Arab and foreign titles, including 52,000 recent releases, and welcomed a record 649,589 visitors. North Al Sharqiyah Governorate was guest of honour, and Saudi Arabia held its cultural days there.
Getting there and where to stay
The 2027 announcements do not yet name the venue. The OCEC, which hosted the 2025 edition, is in the Madinat Al Irfan district, 4 km from Muscat International Airport. Close to the airport, the Kempinski Hotel Muscat and the St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat are in the Al Mouj district; the beach hotels of Qurum, such as the Grand Hyatt Muscat or the Mandarin Oriental Muscat, are closer to the old town. The city is described on our Muscat page.
Combine it with
The fair opens two weeks after Eid al-Fitr, expected around 9 March 2027, and at the same time as the Jebel Akhdar rose season, from late March to early May, about two hours' drive from Muscat Airport. Since the Iranian strikes in the Gulf, foreign ministries have not all given the same advice; the Oman travel situation guide has the details. Yours:
Your country's advice is shown in the box at the top of the page.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Muscat Book Fair in 2027?
From 24 March to 3 April 2027, for its 30th edition.
Who is the guest of honour?
Al Wusta Governorate, which presents its history, heritage and natural resources.
Where is the fair held?
The 2027 venue has not yet been announced. The 2025 edition was held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, 4 km from Muscat Airport.
How many visitors are expected?
No figure has been announced for 2027. In 2025 the fair welcomed 649,589 visitors.
Why was there no fair in 2026?
Planned for 26 March to 5 April 2026, it was postponed in March 2026 after an assessment of the regional situation.