As of 23 October 2026, Australia, New Zealand and Germany advise against all travel to Saudi Arabia, and the UK, Canada, Ireland and France advise against non-essential travel. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reopened on 18 October only to flights with prior permission from the civil aviation authority, and many foreign airlines have suspended Saudi flights. For airport status, airline schedules and official advice, each with its date and source, see Saudi Arabia Travel Status.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. This guide now records which 2026 events took place, which were moved or cancelled, and what is confirmed for the rest of the year. Dates change often: check the organiser’s own website before you book.
Saudi Arabia planned one of the busiest events calendars in its history for 2026, from the Saudi Cup horse race in February to Formula 1 in Jeddah in April and the Esports World Cup in the summer, alongside the religious seasons of Ramadan, Umrah and Hajj. A number of these events went ahead. Others were cancelled, postponed or moved abroad after the regional conflict that began at the end of February. This month-by-month guide sets out what happened, what changed and what is still scheduled, with planning your trip in mind.
Check our Saudi Arabia travel status page for airport closures and government travel advice before you book.
January 2026
Riyadh Season 2025–2026 (continued from October 2025)
Riyadh Season 2025–2026 opened on 10 October 2025 and ran through the winter months with a programme of sports, entertainment and cultural events across several entertainment zones, including Boulevard City and Boulevard World. That season has now ended. See the October section below for the 2026–2027 season.
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlUla Arts Festival | 16 Jan – 14 Feb (held) | AlUla | Fifth edition of the festival, including Desert X AlUla, Design Space AlUla, music and film |
| Desert X AlUla | 16 Jan – 28 Feb (held) | AlUla | Outdoor art exhibition titled “Space Without Measure”, with works by 11 artists |
| AlUla Tour (Cycling) | January | AlUla | Elite cycling race through AlUla’s desert landscapes |
| Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale | 30 Jan – 2 May (held) | JAX District, Diriyah | Third edition, titled “In Interludes and Transitions”, with 68 artists |
| WWE Royal Rumble | 31 Jan (held) | Riyadh Season Stadium, KAFD, Riyadh | First traditional Royal Rumble held outside North America |
The WWE Royal Rumble took place on 31 January 2026 at Riyadh Season Stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, the first traditional Royal Rumble held outside North America. Roman Reigns won the men’s Royal Rumble match and Liv Morgan won the women’s.
Desert X AlUla 2026, curated by Wejdan Reda and Zoé Whitley, ran from 16 January to 28 February under the title “Space Without Measure”, a phrase taken from the poetry of Kahlil Gibran. It was the centrepiece of the fifth AlUla Arts Festival, which ran from 16 January to 14 February.
February 2026
February combined the Saudi Cup, Formula E racing in Jeddah, Founding Day and the start of Ramadan.
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah E-Prix (Formula E) | February (held) | Jeddah Corniche Circuit | Double-header night race, rounds 4 and 5 of the season |
| Saudi Cup | 13–14 Feb (held) | King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh | Seventh edition; the main race carried a $20 million purse |
| AlUla Arts Festival | Ended 14 Feb | AlUla | Desert X AlUla continued to 28 February |
| Ramadan began | 18 Feb | Nationwide | Start of the holy month of Ramadan 1447 AH |
| Saudi Founding Day | 22 Feb | Nationwide | Public holiday commemorating the founding of the first Saudi state in 1727 |
The Saudi Cup
The seventh edition of the Saudi Cup took place on 13–14 February 2026 at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh. The meeting was moved to mid-February in 2026 because of Ramadan. The main Saudi Cup race, run over 1,800 metres on dirt, carried a $20 million purse, and the two-day card also included the Saudi Derby, the 1351 Turf Sprint and the Neom Turf Cup.
Jeddah Formula E Double-Header
The Jeddah E-Prix brought Formula E to the Corniche Circuit for a double-header in February 2026, rounds 4 and 5 of the season, with both races held at night. Pascal Wehrlein won the first race and António Félix da Costa won the second for Jaguar.
Ramadan
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court declared Wednesday 18 February 2026 the first day of Ramadan, after the crescent was reported sighted. Ramadan reshapes daily life across the Kingdom: many entertainment events pause, restaurant hours shift and the spiritual atmosphere intensifies. See our dedicated Ramadan travel guide for what changes and how to plan a visit in future years.
March 2026
March covered the final stretch of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Ten Nights of Ramadan | Mid-March | Nationwide (esp. Makkah & Madinah) | Holiest period of Ramadan; Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) falls within this window |
| Eid al-Fitr | Began Fri 20 Mar | Nationwide | Public holiday marking the end of Ramadan; celebrations, feasts, fireworks |
| Rose and Aromatic Plants Global Forum | 29 Mar – 11 Apr (held) | Taif | Second edition, held during the Taif rose season |
MDLBeast Soundstorm
An earlier version of this guide listed a March 2026 edition of MDLBeast Soundstorm. We could not find any report that a March 2026 edition took place. Soundstorm’s main edition is held in December at Banban, north of Riyadh; the most recent one was in December 2025. The December 2026 edition has been postponed (see December below).
Eid al-Fitr
Saudi Arabia’s moon-sighting committee met on 18 March 2026, reported that the Shawwal crescent had not been sighted, and confirmed that Ramadan would run 30 days, with Thursday 19 March the last day of fasting and Eid al-Fitr on Friday 20 March. Eid is peak domestic travel season in a normal year: expect crowded airports, busy hotels and busy attractions.
April 2026
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (F1) | 17–19 Apr (cancelled) | Jeddah Corniche Circuit | Cancelled by Formula 1 in March 2026; no replacement race held |
| Taif rose season | Spring | Taif | Rose harvest; we could not find official dates for a 2026 Taif Rose Festival |
Formula 1: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix cancelled
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was scheduled for 17–19 April 2026 on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. In mid-March 2026 Formula 1 cancelled both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, citing the situation in the Middle East, and said no replacement races would be held, reducing the season to 22 rounds, according to Sky Sports and Gulf Business. The F2, F3 and F1 Academy rounds at both venues were also cancelled. No date has been given for a rescheduled race. Check the official F1 calendar for the 2027 calendar when it is published.
AlUla Skies Festival
The AlUla Skies Festival, held in April in 2025, has moved to November for 2026 to line up with the new moon and the Leonid meteor shower. See the November section below.
Taif Rose Festival
Taif’s rose harvest takes place in spring in the cool highland climate of Saudi Arabia’s “City of Roses”, and the city has held rose festivals with rose markets, farm visits and demonstrations of traditional rose oil distillation. We could not find officially published dates for a 2026 Taif Rose Festival. The second Rose and Aromatic Plants Global Forum was held in Taif from 29 March to 11 April 2026, according to Arab News. Check Visit Saudi or the Ministry of Culture for 2027 dates.
May 2026
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diriyah Biennale (concluded) | Ended 2 May | Diriyah | Closing date extended from 23 April |
| AFC Asian Cup 2027 final draw | 9 May (held) | At-Turaif, Diriyah | Moved from 11 April because of the regional conflict |
| Day of Arafah | Tue 26 May | Mount Arafat, near Makkah | Central rite of Hajj |
| Eid al-Adha | Began Wed 27 May | Nationwide | Festival of Sacrifice; public holiday coinciding with the end of Hajj |
Hajj Season
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court announced in May 2026 that the Day of Arafah, the central day of the Hajj, would fall on Tuesday 26 May 2026 and that Eid al-Adha would begin on Wednesday 27 May. Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim who is physically and financially able.
Non-Muslim travellers note: Makkah is closed to non-Muslims at all times. During Hajj season Madinah and the wider Hijaz region are also extremely crowded. If you are not performing Hajj, consider visiting other parts of Saudi Arabia during this period in future years.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) is celebrated with a public holiday of several days. Families sacrifice an animal, typically a sheep, goat or cow, and distribute the meat to family, friends and those in need. Like Eid al-Fitr, it is a peak domestic travel period.
June 2026
June is usually one of the quieter months on the Saudi events calendar, falling between the Hajj and Eid al-Adha season and the summer programme. Temperatures in Riyadh regularly exceed 40°C, and many residents who can travel head to cooler destinations. Air-conditioned malls and indoor attractions stay open, and summer can be a cheaper time to travel for visitors who can cope with the heat (see our budget guide).
July – August 2026
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esports World Cup | 6 Jul – 23 Aug (held) | Paris, France (moved from Riyadh) | 2,000+ players, 200 clubs, 100+ countries; $75 million prize pool; 25 tournaments across 24 games |
Esports World Cup moved to Paris
The 2026 Esports World Cup was due to be held in Riyadh from 6 July to 23 August, with a $75 million prize pool, more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games, according to the organisers’ announcement. In May 2026 the Esports Foundation moved the event to Paris for 2026, citing the regional situation and doubts that players could travel to the region in time, while keeping the dates, format and prize pool. Organisers described the move as temporary, and reports said the plan is for the event to return to Riyadh in 2027.
The Paris edition ran for seven weeks. The Chinese organisation AG.AL won the Club Championship, with Team Falcons second and Team Vitality third, according to the Esports World Cup.
September 2026
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi National Day | 23 Sep (Wednesday) | Nationwide | Public holiday; parades, fireworks, Ardha folk dances, concerts |
| AZIMUTH (AlUla) | Late September (status not confirmed) | AlUla | Music festival held around the National Day weekend in previous years |
| Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli | 12 Sep (moved to 31 Oct) | Riyadh | “Mexico vs The World” card; see October |
Saudi National Day
Saudi National Day on 23 September commemorates the 1932 proclamation by King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud that renamed the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a public holiday and one of the most patriotic days on the calendar.
In past years celebrations have spanned the whole Kingdom, with concerts, air shows and exhibitions in Riyadh, fireworks and live performances along Jeddah’s Corniche, and family events in the Eastern Province. Buildings and streets are decorated in green and white, and the traditional Ardha (sword dance) is performed at public events.
AZIMUTH: AlUla Music Festival
AZIMUTH, organised by MDLBEAST, is held in AlUla around the Saudi National Day weekend; the 2025 edition ran on 25–26 September 2025 at Thanaya. AZIMUTH’s official AlUla page said the festival would return in 2026, but we could not confirm the 2026 dates or whether it took place.
October 2026
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewels of the World (Riyadh) | 11–15 Oct (as listed) | Riyadh | International jewellery and watch exhibition |
| Jewels of the World (Jeddah) | 19–22 Oct (as listed) | Jeddah Hilton | Closing stop of the Saudi series |
| Riyadh Season 2026–2027 | Announced to open 21 Oct | Riyadh | Seventh edition, slogan “Big Time”, 10-week programme |
| Six Kings Slam (tennis) | 21–24 Oct (postponed to 27–30 Dec) | ANB Arena, Riyadh | Riyadh Season tennis exhibition |
| AlUla Wellness Festival | Late October (reported as 23–31 Oct) | AlUla | Wellness, sport and recovery programme; confirm on the official AlUla site |
| MDLBEAST “A Thousand and One” | 29–30 Oct (as listed) | Banban, Riyadh | 18+ electronic music event; first edition was April 2025 |
| Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli | 31 Oct | Riyadh | WBC super-middleweight title fight |
Riyadh Season 2026–2027
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, announced that the seventh Riyadh Season would open on Wednesday 21 October 2026 under the slogan “Big Time”, with a 10-week programme of boxing, wrestling, UFC, the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, concerts, theatre and comedy, according to the Saudi Press Agency and TradeArabia. Announced venues include Boulevard World, Boulevard City, Wonder Garden, The Groves and the Ana Arabia exhibition at VIA Riyadh. Zones open on different dates, so check the official Riyadh Season website or app before you go. For a zone-by-zone guide, see our Riyadh Season guide and month-by-month calendar.
Some events have already moved. The Six Kings Slam, due on 21–24 October, was postponed to 27–30 December 2026. Organisers cited “an assessment of the organisational and logistical challenges”; The National linked the decision to attacks on Riyadh’s airports.
Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli
Canelo Alvarez’s challenge for Christian Mbilli’s WBC super-middleweight title, billed as “Mexico vs The World”, was first set for 12 September in Riyadh. It was rebooked for Saturday 31 October 2026 in Riyadh, according to ESPN and The Ring. Reports differ on the venue, so check the ticket listing.
Other October events
October usually marks the return of cooler weather and the start of Saudi Arabia’s main events season. The Jewels of the World exhibition was listed for Riyadh on 11–15 October and Jeddah on 19–22 October 2026 (FACT Magazine). AE World reported that the AlUla Wellness Festival returns on 23–31 October 2026, and FACT Magazine listed MDLBEAST’s “A Thousand and One” for 29–30 October at Banban. We could not confirm these dates with the organisers, so check their own websites first.
November 2026
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlUla Skies Festival | 6–15 Nov | AlUla | Stargazing, balloons and night-sky events, timed to the new moon and the Leonid meteor shower |
| WWE Crown Jewel | 7 Nov (as announced) | Riyadh | Announced by Turki Alalshikh; check WWE before booking |
| WTA Finals | 8–15 Nov | Indian Wells, California (moved from Riyadh) | No longer held in Saudi Arabia in 2026 |
| Saudi International (golf) | 18–21 Nov (as scheduled) | Saudi Arabia | Asian Tour event; The National reported the tour was monitoring the situation |
| Diriyah Season 2026–2027 | Not yet announced | Diriyah | The 2025–2026 season launched in November 2025 |
WTA Finals moved to Indian Wells
Riyadh hosted the WTA Finals in 2024 and 2025, and 2026 was due to be the third and final year of the agreement. On 1 July 2026 the WTA and the Saudi Tennis Federation said the WTA had asked to move the 2026 Finals to a new host and that both sides had agreed to end the hosting arrangement. The 2026 WTA Finals will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California from 8 to 15 November, according to The National.
AlUla Skies Festival
The AlUla Skies Festival runs from 6 to 15 November 2026, according to Arab News, with stargazing, balloon flights and night-sky events. The festival moved from April to November this year to line up with the new moon and the Leonid meteor shower. AlUla’s remote desert location and low light pollution make it a good setting for stargazing.
Diriyah Season
Diriyah Season celebrates Saudi heritage at Diriyah, the ancestral home of the Saudi state and a UNESCO World Heritage site on the outskirts of Riyadh. The 2025–2026 season launched in November 2025. We could not find announced dates for a 2026–2027 season; check Diriyah’s official channels.
December 2026
| Event | Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDLBeast Soundstorm 2026 | Was set for 3–4 Dec (postponed) | Banban, Riyadh | Organisers told ticket holders the 2026 edition is postponed; no new date given |
| Red Sea International Film Festival | Was set for 3–12 Dec (postponed to late 2027) | Jeddah | Sixth edition moved to the fourth quarter of 2027 |
| Six Kings Slam (tennis) | 27–30 Dec (rescheduled) | ANB Arena, Riyadh | Moved from October |
| Riyadh Season (continues) | Through December | Riyadh | Entertainment, sports and dining across the season’s zones |
MDLBeast Soundstorm postponed
Soundstorm usually holds its main annual edition in December at Banban near Riyadh; the most recent edition was in December 2025. The 2026 edition, which had been set for early December, has been postponed. On 30 September 2026 organisers emailed ticket holders: “With regret, Soundstorm ’26 will be postponed,” Gulf News reported. Arab News quoted the organisers’ Instagram statement on 1 October: “With regret, this year’s Soundstorm will not take place as planned.” No reason and no new date were given; organisers said they would focus on the 2027 edition.
Red Sea International Film Festival postponed
The Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district has become one of the region’s main cinema events; the 2025 edition ran 4–13 December. On 21 September 2026 the Red Sea Film Foundation announced that the sixth edition, set for 3–12 December 2026, would move to the fourth quarter of 2027 after “a comprehensive review of logistical requirements”, according to Qatar News Agency. The foundation said year-round programming would start in November at Culture Square in Historic Jeddah, and support for filmmakers through the Red Sea Fund and Red Sea Labs would continue.
Looking Ahead: 2027 and Beyond
Saudi Arabia’s events plans extend beyond 2026. Two major events are on the horizon:
AFC Asian Cup 2027
Saudi Arabia is due to host the AFC Asian Cup from 7 January to 5 February 2027, the Kingdom’s first time hosting Asia’s main national-team football tournament. The AFC’s 2025 announcement named stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, with the opening match at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh. The final draw, moved from 11 April because of the regional conflict, took place on 9 May 2026 in Diriyah; Saudi Arabia was drawn with Kuwait, Oman and Palestine in Group A. It comes ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2034, which Saudi Arabia is also due to host.
Expo 2030 Riyadh
Riyadh is due to host World Expo 2030. Check the official Expo 2030 Riyadh website for confirmed dates and plans.
Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia 2026
Saudi Arabia has a limited number of public holidays, all based on Islamic or national commemorations:
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founding Day | 22 February | Passed | Commemorates founding of the first Saudi state in 1727 |
| Eid al-Fitr | Began Friday 20 March | Passed | End of Ramadan; date set by moon sighting |
| Eid al-Adha | Began Wednesday 27 May | Passed | Festival of Sacrifice; Day of Arafah was 26 May |
| Saudi National Day | 23 September | Passed | Commemorates the 1932 unification of the Kingdom |
Both Eid holidays follow the lunar calendar and are confirmed only after the official moon sighting, usually a day or two before the holiday begins. In 2026 the Eid al-Fitr date was confirmed on 18 March and the Eid al-Adha dates were announced in mid-May. Build flexibility into travel plans around these dates in future years.
Planning Tips for Attending Saudi Events
Tickets and Booking
- Riyadh Season: Buy tickets through the official Riyadh Season website and app. Some zones have free entry; specific events require tickets. Several events have been moved this season, so check the listing again shortly before you travel.
- Formula 1 / Formula E: Book through the official circuit websites or authorised resellers. The 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled; watch the F1 calendar for 2027.
- Saudi Cup: Tickets are sold through the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia website.
- Esports World Cup: The 2026 edition was held in Paris. Check the official EWC website for the 2027 host city and dates.
- Postponed events: For Soundstorm, the Red Sea International Film Festival and the Six Kings Slam, follow the organiser’s instructions on refunds or transferred tickets.
Accommodation
- Book early for peak periods: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Saudi National Day and the Riyadh Season opening weeks.
- Hotels in Riyadh fill up during major Riyadh Season events and big boxing and wrestling nights. Serviced apartments in the Diplomatic Quarter or King Abdullah Financial District are an alternative.
- For AlUla events, accommodation is more limited than in the major cities. Habitas AlUla, Banyan Tree AlUla and Shaden Resort are popular choices but book out quickly for festival weekends.
Visa
Citizens of many countries can apply for a tourist e-visa online or get a visa on arrival. Check whether your nationality qualifies, and the current fee and length of stay, on the Visit Saudi visa portal before your trip.
Weather Considerations
| Month | Riyadh Temp (°C) | Jeddah Temp (°C) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Feb | 8–22 | 20–29 | Outdoor events, desert activities, sightseeing |
| Mar–Apr | 15–32 | 22–33 | Cultural festivals, Ramadan/Eid experiences |
| May–Jun | 25–43 | 27–37 | Indoor events only; Hajj season |
| Jul–Aug | 28–45 | 29–39 | Indoor, air-conditioned venues only |
| Sep–Oct | 22–40 | 27–36 | National Day; Riyadh Season launch |
| Nov–Dec | 12–27 | 22–31 | Peak season; Riyadh Season, AlUla festivals |
The November to February window offers the best weather for outdoor events. Summer events are held in air-conditioned venues, but getting around cities in 45°C heat requires planning.
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The 2026 Calendar in Summary
Saudi Arabia’s 2026 events calendar was built as part of the Vision 2030 plan to make the Kingdom a year-round destination for sport, culture and entertainment. The winter events, from the Royal Rumble and the AlUla Arts Festival to the Saudi Cup and Formula E in Jeddah, went ahead. From March onwards several headline events were cancelled, postponed or moved: the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled, the Esports World Cup and the WTA Finals moved abroad, and Soundstorm and the Red Sea International Film Festival were postponed.
Riyadh Season 2026–2027 has been announced with a 10-week programme from 21 October, and the AFC Asian Cup is scheduled for January 2027. If you are planning a trip around a specific event, confirm it with the organiser shortly before you travel and check current travel advice.
Start planning at our Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 hub.