Recently a number of people sent me Whats Apps from the UK and the USA asking about the Saudi Seasons. I had no idea, until one day a young Saudi student told me about a musical concert in the Riyadh Season. Curious, I decided to find out what the Saudi Seasons are all about.
So, what are the Saudi Seasons? The Saudi Seasons are a series of government-sponsored themed entertainment, cultural and sports events held throughout the regions of Saudi Arabia with the aim of boosting tourism, income, providing jobs for Saudi nationals and developing local business opportunities.
Events include a wide variety of musical concerts, fun kids and family activities, cultural and heritage events. A ‘Season’ is held at different times during the year and events can last for 2-3 days, for 5-10 days, even for 1, 2 or 3 months. Event tickets and
Due to the immense number of events, the following article provides a quick overview of them all. For the specific information, you need to click on the Saudi Seasons Events website.
To read the Inside Saudi article about the new Saudi eVisa and Visa on Arrival for Tourists, how to get one and to avoid the money pitfalls.
Click here: Saudi eVisa and Visa on Arrival for Tourists
What Type of Events Do The Saudi Seasons Offer?
In order to achieve its tourism development goals, the Saudi Tourism Development Agency (SCTH) is offering visitors a massive range of exciting entertainment and cultural events all year round in major cities and regions within the kingdom.
New events at the Saudi Seasons are constantly being added and updated on the event’s website. They can be viewed at the Saudi Seasons Events Website.
You can search for them either according to:
- City -where the events (s) are being held.
- Category– listing of the type (s) of the events on offer
If you are already staying in a particular Saudi city or wish to visit it, you can simply click on that city to see events being held there. Or else, you can simply click on the categories of events and choose which you would like to attend, buy tickets, visas and get directions.
Currently, there are Six Main Seasons on offer. They are:
- Riyadh Season
- Jeddah Season
- Eastern Region Season
- Diriyah Season
- Ta’if Season
- Al ‘Ula Season
There are also other smaller, individual events being held in other cities or towns and more to come in the pipeline.
General Overview of Event Types
The following is a general list of the types of events on offer at the Saudi seasons.
A: Sporting
- International Football Cup Matches
- Saudi International Golf Tournaments
- Horse Jumping
- Boxing
- Wrestling
B: Festivals
Saudis are keen on showcasing their cultural and national identity. Festivals are usually fun, heritage and family-oriented events. For example, they can include:
- Camel shows
- Cooking Demonstrations
- Food Exhibitions
- Traditional Markets
- Family Theater
- Zoos and Animal Farms
- Amusement Parks
- Heritage and Cultural Events
C: Exhibitions
Through exhibitions, Saudi Arabia wishes to promote and develop local artisans, craftsmen, and businesses. They also include those of artistic, general and scientific interest to the Saudi kingdom. They include:
- Perfume Exhibitions
- Jewelry Fairs
- Hotel and Hospitality Exhibitions
- Building and Constructions Exhibitions
- Marketing Shows
- Housing Exhibitions
- Printing Exhibitions
- Art, Cultural, Artisanal
- Entertainment Events
D: Conferences and Seminars
- Health and Hospital Conferences
- Educational Conferences
- Business and Investment Conferences
- Future Development Conferences
E: Celebrations
- Musical Performances
- Stand up Comedies
- Magic Shows
- Plays
- Fashion
- Sound and Light Shows
Events: To see a complete list of current events click the Saudi Seasons Events Listing. Remember events are ending and being added all the time. Check if they are finished or current.
1. Riyadh-The Biggest Season (3 months)
Each year, the Riyadh Season begins in October and ends in December. The target audience is wide-ranging. In addition to a home crowd, it also aims to attract up to 100,000 international visitors.
It puts on a huge range of entertainment, cultural events, and investment opportunities events.
This Season is the biggest of all. There are usually over 100 events held over a period of 70 days in 12 separate areas of the city. In total, the Riyadh season has over 3,000 days of fun and entertainment.
The Riyadh Season Events Mostly Include:
- Arts
- Sports
- Music
- Theater
- Fashion
- Circus
- Culture and Heritage
- Shopping
- Food
- Entertainments
- Attractions
- Ice Skating
The Host Main Events Are Hosted In The Following Locations:
- Riyadh Boulevard
- Riyadh Front
- Riyadh Motor Show
- Riyadh Winter Wonderland
- Riyadh Stadiums
- The Diplomatic District
- Al-Muraba’a, Al-Malaz
- Namar Valley
- Nabd Al-Riyadh
- Riyadh Safari
- Riyadh Sahara.
Cost: Most of the events are offered free of charge. Some require tickets and are listed on the Riyadh Season website. Click here for the link to the Riyadh Season website.
2. The Jeddah Season- (2 months)
The Jeddah Season begins in June and ends in July. There are more than 150 events on offer being held in 5 major locations in and around the city. The target audience is wide-ranging including local residents and international visitors.
It offers the chance to benefit from an amazing variety of experiences that include live musical concerts, theater dramas, exhibitions of art, stand-up comedy, water-based activities, and some international sporting events.
If you can face the blazing hot summer heat, visitors can participate in the following activities:
Jeddah Season Events Mostly Include:
- Concerts
- Comedy
- Theater Dramas
- Immersive Theater
- Kids Theater
- Water-Based Activities
- Scuba Diving
- Concerts -Popular Music
- Art Exhibits/Auctions
- Circus
- Street Acrobatics/Dance &
- Games Events
- Fireworks
- Festival Restaurants- Hijazi Street Food
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Open Air Cinema
- XJED Light Shows
- Dazzling Illuminations
- Treasure Hunts (Kanz Al Balad)
- Workshops (Herbalists & Wood Carving)
The Main Events Take Place At:
- Al Balad (Historical and Heritage)
- Jeddah Waterfront (Cornish)
- Al Hamra (Shops, Malls & Restaurants)
- Obhor (Water Sports)
- King Abdullah Sports Stadium (Al Joharah)
Both the old and the new are celebrated in modern musical performances and heritage events. The Jeddah season includes an array of international talent with such names as the American group Backstreet Boys, K-pop stars Super Junior, and EDM DJs such as Martin Garrix, Afrojack and Marshmello.
Tradition and culture are offered in daily Saudi folklore performances and parades made by well known local artists.
Cost: Most of the events are offered free of charge. Some require tickets and are listed on the Saudi Seasons website. Click here for the link to the Jeddah Saudi Seasons events Website
3. Eastern Region Season (2 weeks)
The Eastern Region Season begins and ends in March. There are a number of exciting events held in various cities in the Eastern area of the Kingdom. The target audience is local people and expats including international visitors.
It offers the chance to benefit from an amazing variety of experiences that include live water sports musical concerts, multimedia exhibitions, music, cultural and educational events.
Eastern Region Season Events Mostly Include:
- Sporting
- Cultural
- Multimedia Art Exhibitions
- Immersive Exhibitions
- Cultural Village
Dammam
- Red Bull Air Race
- Powerboat Formula 1 H2O
- Saudi Motor Bike Show
- Cirque Eloize
- East Coast Heritage Festival
Al Khobar
- Concerts in Arabic Music
- Classical Opera
- Bollywood Festival
- Color Run
- 3D Mapping Show
Al Ahsa
- Investment Forum
- Cultural Nights
- Outdoor Cinema
Dhahran, Jubail, Hafar Al-Batin, Nuairyah and Khafji
- Education/Sports
- Entertainment/Culture
- Saudi Robotic Conference
- Saudi Robotics Exhibition
- AquaBike Kingdom Championship
Cost: Most of the events are offered free of charge. Some require tickets and are listed on the Saudi Seasons website. Click here for the link to the Saudi Seasons Eastern Region Events Website
4. Diriyah Season (1 month)
The Diriyah Region Season begins in November and ends in December. There are a number of exciting sporting and entertainment events held in two main areas of the central region of Diriyah The target audience is sports fanatics and entertainment seekers including locals, expats, and international tourists.
The Main Events Take Place At:
- Diriyah Oasis
- Al Bujaira
The Diriyah Season Events Mostly Include:
- Grand Prix Events
- Tennis Championship
- Boxing Events
- Horse Jumping
- Musical Concerts
- 5 Star Food and Coffee
- English Music Festival
- Family Entertainment Zones
- Arabic Music Concerts
Diriyah is the original capital of the first Saudi State still preserved today and known as Al Turaif. It is located a few kilometers West of Riyadh on the banks of the Wadi Hanifah.
It contains old, renovated clay brick buildings and has been designated a UNESCO world heritage site since 2010. Visitors can see a new visitor center, a museum, the Salwa Palace complex, and a Grand Mosque.
Near Diriyah, al Bujairi offers a design center and fine dining with a range of international restaurants.
Cost: Many of the events are offered free of charge. Some require tickets. Information and events are listed on the Diriyah Season website. Click here for the link to the Diriyah Season website.
5. Taif Season (1 month)
The Taif Season begins and ends in August for 30 days. There are more than 100 exciting, fun events held in and around the mountainous city of Taif in the West of Saudi Arabia. The target audience is local people and expats including international visitors.
Taif Region Season Events Generally Include:
- Camel Festival
- Traditional Souk Okaz
- Flower (Rose) Village (Radaf Park)
- Cable Cars Ride
- City Tours
Taif Season Events Mostly Include:
- Arab Music
- Poetry Readings
- Poetry Competitions
- Arab NeighbourHoods Exhibition
- Tree Planting – (Radaf Park)
- Shubra Castle
- Taif Museum
- Parachuting
- Mountain Hiking
- Free Fall Cable Rides
- Nature Studies
- Heritage Events
- Clowns and Acrobats
- Camel Exhibition
- Children’s Entertainment
- Shopping Festival
- Colours Marathon (Run)
Cost: Many of the events are offered free of charge. Some require tickets. Information and events are listed on the Taif Season website. Click here for the link to the Taif Season Website
6. Al Ula Season (3 months)
Al Ula or Tantora is a three-month-long, (Dec-Feb), 12 weekends, a yearly festival held in the rocky, desert town of Al Ula in Tabuk, northwest Saudi Arabia. It hosts international music and dance, heritage events, mass drone light shows, and 100 strong hot air balloon rides. It also provides luxury tent hotels, high-end restaurants, and market stalls selling traditional arts, clothing, crafts, and quality foods.
Visitors can come for individual events, one-day events or long weekend events. The target audience is wealthy local, expats including international visitors.
The Main Events Take Place At:
- Al Ula Heritage Village
- Tantora Concert Hall
- Mada’in Saleh Heritage Site
The Al Ula Season Events Mostly Include:
- Maraya Musical Concerts
- Immersive Light Shows and Exhibitions
- Glow Shows
- Drone Light Shows
- Holographic Musical Performances
- Vintage Aircraft Fly Bys
- Endurance Horse Racing
- Hot Air Balloon Rides
- Hegra Heritage Tours
- Dedan Tombs
- Volcano Tours
- Helicopter Rides
- Traditional Market (Wadi Al Qura)
- Winter Park
- Outdoor Cooking Events
- Luxury Camp Hotels
Costs are high and there are no free events, For a complete guide to Tantora click the following Tantora Winter Festival
7. Additional Seasons
Hail Season – Summer and Winter
The Hail Region Season begins in December and ends in February. There are a number of exciting events held in and around the city of Hail in Northern Saudi Arabia. The target audience is local people and expats including international visitors.
It offers the chance to benefit from an amazing variety of experiences that include family activities in the famous rock environments of Mashar and Jubbah, public park entertainment including heritage and cultural events.
The Hail Region Season Events Mostly Include:
- Rock Art
- Outdoor Theater
- Food Festival
- Culture and Heritage
- Outdoor Adventures
- Outdoor Cinema
- Park Entertainments
Hail Season Events Mostly Include:
- UNESCO Protected Jubbah Rock Art
- Outdoor Theater Shows
- Food Restaurants and Stalls
- Fire Displays
- Zip Line Rides
- Hot Air Balloons
- Open Air Cinema
- World of Adventure
- Food Festival
- Hail Pulse Festival
- Food & Arts Markets
- Kids Fun Activities
- Mountain Heritage Events
Jubbah 90km North of Hail City
The rocky, lunar-like landscape at Jubbah is the backdrop to impressive outdoor theatrical events and restaurants. Here in addition to family fun, visitors can see a huge number of numerous petroglyphs, rock inscriptions, ancient archaeology going back 10,000 years.
Mahsar 2km Outside of Hail City
Mahsar area offers outdoor adventures. There are scenic displays, zip line ride, hot air balloons, open-air cinema, and food festival.
Hail Pulse Festival is held at Prince Saud Park, Hail
The festival contains two parts dedicated to food and arts. New entertainments are added each week Dec- Feb with markets and fun activities for kids.
Qashla Palace, Hail
History, Heritage and Culture Shows!
Cost: Most of the events are offered free of charge. Some require tickets and are listed on the Hail -Saudi Seasons website. Click here for the link to the Saudi Seasons Regions Events Website
Other Seasons
Al Soudah Season
National Day Season
Ramadan Season
Eid Al Fitr Season
Mecca
Madinah
Cost: Most of the other seasons’ events are offered free of charge. Some require tickets and are fully listed on the Saudi Seasons website. Click here for the link to the Saudi Seasons events Website