Perched 2,000 metres above sea level, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is already one of the world’s most dramatic resorts. This September, it’s adding something new to the mountain experience: the Olive Harvest Festival, a five-day celebration of food, culture and community running from 24–28 September 2025.
Now in its fourth year, the festival brings the region’s olive-growing traditions to life under the theme ‘From Tree to Table – A Journey Through Olive Heritage.’ Guests at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar will be able to roll up their sleeves for orchard picking, sample oils at tastings, and hear local stories about the importance of the harvest.
Historian Giorgio Robles will host relaxed breakfast talks, while Dr. Ali Al Furqani will guide tours that end with a visit to a working press showing how the fruit becomes liquid gold.
The festival begins on Wednesday, 24 September, with a welcome gathering on the Al Shurfa terrace, where guests can sip mountain-inspired cocktails infused with local olives, herbs and citrus. The evening then moves to Al Maisan for an Italian–Spanish buffet, crafted by guest chefs Ovidiu-Gabriel Mușat and Martin Aristondo, blending flavours from both Mediterranean coastlines.
Both acclaimed guest chefs, Ovidiu-Gabriel Mușat from Italy and Martin Aristondo from Spain, will join Anantara’s own team to host cooking classes and special dinners. Expect everything from tapas and Italian buffets to a long-table garden dinner and an unforgettable Canyon View Dinner under the stars. On Olive Market Day, Bella Vista Terrace will be transformed into a lively bazaar of stalls, tastings and pop-up kitchens.
The festival finishes on Sunday, 28 September, with a Spanish and Italian breakfast at Al Maisan,
featuring regional favourites such as tortillas, focaccia, and premium olive oil tastings.
Sustainability sits at the heart of the event. Much of the resort’s produce comes from its own gardens, while the festival highlights the importance of preserving Al Jabal Al Akhdar’s fertile land and farming traditions.
‘The Olive Harvest Festival is a tribute to the land we have in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, but also the people and traditions that shape this region,’ says General Manager Maren Kuehl, adding, ‘We are proud to host an event that connects guests to the richness of local culture and the universal joy of sharing a meal crafted with care, featuring hand-harvested olives and seasonal produce, sustainably sourced from our expansive resort gardens, which flourish throughout the year.’
For travellers, it’s a chance to combine a luxury escape with an authentic cultural experience. Whether you’re there to taste, learn, or simply soak up the mountain air, the festival offers a window into local life that’s as memorable as the views.
