Festivals in Saudi Arabia

Festivals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are an advanced cultural sector within the Kingdom, encompassing diverse and specialized events connected to economic, tourism, artistic, agricultural, and heritage activities. These festivals contribute to enhancing the quality of life in the Kingdom as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 program, which aims to create a vibrant society where everyone enjoys a decent and happy life.

Festivals and events vary across different provinces of the Kingdom according to the organizing body, such as ministries, municipalities of provinces, authorities, private sector companies, and others. They also differ in purpose or objective, whether commercial, cultural, social, or tourism-related. The diversity also extends to target audiences, including festivals specifically for families, youth, or children.

Festival locations vary as well; some are held at permanent sites, such as al-Janadria Festival, while others take place at temporary venues, such as Hakaya Misk and Colors of Saudi. The Kingdom also hosts various festival seasons, like al-Bahah Summer Festival and the Winter at Tantora Festival, which include cultural, heritage, and artisanal activities, in addition to agricultural, local, sports, desert, environmental, music, and art festivals.

Cultural heritage festivals, such as the National Festival for Heritage and Culture 'al-Janadria,' are among the oldest festivals established in the Kingdom. It began in 1985 under the supervision of the General Presidency of the National Guard (currently the Ministry of National Guard). The festival features events that showcase the Kingdom's heritage and includes a site with a theater, exhibition halls, pavilions, and model buildings representing various cities in the Kingdom. The festival serves as a national occasion to introduce Saudi heritage, beginning with a camel race and featuring artistic and folkloric performances, as well as exhibitions of handicraft products. The Ministry of Culture currently oversees the organization and management of the festival, replacing the Ministry of National Guard in this role. The most recent edition of the festival was held in 2019.

The Historic Jeddah Festival was launched for the first time in 2014, coinciding with the inclusion of Historic Jeddah Province in the World Heritage List. The festival highlights the Kingdom’s historical and cultural significance, introducing the residents and visitors of Jeddah to the historical heritage of the province. The festival is held annually during the mid-academic year break, accompanied by various cultural activities, with dedicated sections for handicrafts and traditional foods.

Among the heritage festivals in the Kingdom is 'al-Harah al-Makiyah' Festival in Makkah al-Mukarramah City, which was first held in 2016. The festival includes heritage and entertainment activities, serving as an introduction to the cultural heritage of Makkah al-Mukarramah. There are several other heritage festivals, including the Najran Tourism Heritage Festival and the al-Ghada Festival in the heritage village of al-Ghada in Unayzah Governorate, Qassim Province.

The Kingdom also hosts festivals that celebrate authentic Arab culture and the Bedouin lifestyle of ancestors in the Arabian desert, honoring traditional customs such as horsemanship, hunting, and camel breeding and racing. An example is the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, which features cultural, entertainment, and sporting events. The festival showcases traditional foods, crafts, and products related to camels, alongside various camel races, including beauty contests, endurance races, and hajeej competitions. The King Abdulaziz Festival is held in ad-Dahna' Desert or the southern as-Sayahid region, attracting camel enthusiasts from both within and outside the Kingdom. Each year, the festival sees participation from over 1,800 contestants and features more than 38,000 camels.

The Makkah al-Mukarramah Province Emirate organized the 'Souq Okaz' Festival in Taif City from its inception in 2007 until 2017, after which the Ministry of Tourism took over its organization. The festival serves as a poetry, arts, and history gathering that attracts intellectuals and those interested in culture and poetry. The festival includes numerous seminars and lectures, as well as competitions in Arabic calligraphy, Arabic storytelling in short stories, photography, theatrical creativity, and visual arts.

The Kingdom organizes several festivals celebrating agriculture and local production, such as al-Jawf International Olive Festival in Sikaka, al-Jawf Province. This festival, first held in 2008, promotes and markets olives and olive oil produced from farms in al-Jawf Province. It is supported by various entities and organizations, including the Ministry of Tourism, al-Jawf University, and al-Jawf Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As one of the province's key festivals, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, features numerous entertainment activities, and hosts exhibitions for family businesses, olives, and related products.

The Citrus Festival in al-Hariq Governorate, Riyadh Province, is organized with support from the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. The festival showcases citrus products from farms in al-Hariq, including oranges, lemons, tangerines, dates, citrons, and more, along with an exhibition of honey produced in al-Hariq farms. It also includes numerous tourist trips attended by foreign diplomats and their families, as well as poetry evenings and lectures. Each year, the festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad.

The annual Taif Rose Festival coincides with the rose harvesting season in March from farms in al-Hada, al-Shifa, and other areas within Taif Governorate. The festival attracts thousands of rose enthusiasts and lovers of its products each year. Local factories produce a variety of high-quality rose products, such as rose water and essential oils. The festival has reached a visitor count of one million and includes numerous traditional and entertainment events, as well as flower exhibitions.

The Rose and Fruit Festival is held in Tabuk, along with the Mango and Tropical Fruits Festival, known as the "Mango Festival," as well as the Saudi Khawlani Coffee Festival in Jazan Province, the Citrus Festival in Hail Province, and others.

Date and honey festivals are popular in the Kingdom, as dates and honey are significant products of Saudi farms. These festivals are held annually across various Saudi provinces, such as al-Ahsa Date and Palm Festival organized by al-Ahsa Municipality during the date harvest season in al-Ahsa Oasis, the Buraydah Date Festival, the International Date Festival in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, and al-Aqiq Date Festival in Aqiq Governorate, al-Bahah. Additionally, there are honey festivals, including the Jazan Honey Festival in al-'Idabi Governorate and the International Honey Festival in al-Bahah.

Holiday seasons in the Kingdom are accompanied by various entertainment and shopping festivals, such as the Saudi Summer Festival, overseen by the Ministry of Tourism. Held annually in different Saudi provinces, the festival includes entertainment, cultural, social, heritage, and sports activities, highlighting the Kingdom’s diverse tourist destinations. Alongside the festival, numerous exhibitions, theatrical shows, and tourist programs are organized, making it a platform for introducing the media and visitors to summer events and festivals in the Kingdom. Each province showcases unique festivals and events that reflect its culture and distinct features. Similar to the summer festival, other seasonal festivals take place throughout the year, including winter, spring, and fall festivals, such as the Winter at Tantora Festival in the historic al-Ula, the Jeddah Spring Festival, and ad-Dawadimi Fall Festival.

The capital, Riyadh, hosts Riyadh Season, featuring events such as motorcycle racing, gymnastics performances, fire-breathing acts, and hoop jumping, along with musical performances and orchestral music displays.

Artistic and cultural festivals play an important role in enriching the artistic and cultural scene in the Kingdom and supporting artists and creatives. These include the Saudi Film Festival, the Red Sea International Film Festival, and the Noor Festival for Culture and Arts in Riyadh.

The Saudi Falcons Club in Riyadh City organizes the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, an international event that attracts falcon owners from the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The festival includes falconry competitions, such as al-Malwah and al-Mazayen. A similar falconry festival is also held in the Northern Borders Province.

The Diriyah Equestrian Festival is held at ad-Duhami Equestrian Center in the historic area of ad-Diriyah as part of Diriyah Season. The festival features horse racing and show jumping, with competition points counting toward qualification for the global equestrian Olympics.