Bahrain will reportedly feature the largest outdoor ice-skating rink in the Gulf next month as part of a nationwide shopping festival.

The ice-skating rink, called Viva Shop and Skate, measures 20 metres x 30 metres and is being set up by the telecom operator next to Al A’ali Shopping Complex, Gulf Daily News reported.

It is one of the highlights of the Shop Bahrain festival, it added.

The festival, taking place from December 24 to January 23, aims to stimulate the national economy and attract tourists from neighbouring Gulf countries.

Last year, over 2,000 retailers took part in the festival with BD18 million worth of shopping during the six-week festival reported, alongside a surge in tourists from across the Gulf region.

Special activities are also being lined up for the new year weekend as part of the festival, the paper reported.