The festival was launched in 2000 and has grown every year since. During Hala February, Kuwait becomes a hub of activity. International and regional music artists perform at outdoor concerts; local craftspeople show traditional skills at cultural markets; restaurants offer special menus; and parks are transformed into fairgrounds with rides, games and food stalls. The whole country seems to move outside for the month.
One of the most popular parts of Hala February is the 'Fareej' — a recreated traditional Kuwaiti village set up in an open area of the city. Visitors walk through lanes of traditional-style buildings where performers demonstrate old crafts like weaving, pottery, rope-making and cooking in traditional ways. It is a living museum that brings history to life in a colourful and interactive way.
Children have their own dedicated events during Hala February: shows, storytelling sessions, arts and crafts workshops and competitions. Schools bring students on trips to the Fareej and to cultural performances. For many Kuwaiti children, Hala February is one of the most exciting parts of the whole year — a month when the city truly comes alive.
The final days of Hala February merge into the National Day and Liberation Day celebrations, creating an extraordinary crescendo of parades, fireworks and communal joy. The month ends with the whole country feeling connected and proud. The Arabic word 'hala' means welcome, warmth and hospitality — which captures perfectly the spirit of the whole celebration.