Saudi Arabia's festival calendar has expanded dramatically since the country opened to tourism. Events that would have been unimaginable a decade ago — international music concerts, film festivals, motorsport, comedy shows — now run regularly.
Riyadh Season is the country's biggest entertainment extravaganza, running from October through March across Riyadh. It spans hundreds of events: concerts by international and Arab artists, food festivals, sporting events, theatrical shows, and theme parks. It has become one of the largest entertainment seasons in the world by attendance.
Jeddah Season runs concurrently and brings similar events to Jeddah, with a stronger emphasis on music and waterfront events. Outdoor concerts on the Corniche are a highlight.
AlUla Moments Festival brings world-class music to the ancient landscape of AlUla, with stages set against Nabataean rock formations. The cool winter months (December–February) are when AlUla is at its most beautiful, and the festival takes advantage of this.
National Day (September 23) marks the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Expect fireworks, public celebrations, and plenty of green and white everywhere.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two main Islamic holidays, celebrated with family gatherings, feasts, and gifts. Much of the country shuts down for several days around each one. Both follow the lunar calendar and shift approximately 11 days earlier each year.
Hajj draws millions of Muslim pilgrims to Mecca and is one of the largest human gatherings on earth. Non-Muslim visitors cannot attend, and the practical effect is country-wide strain on transport and accommodation during Hajj week.