From music to art and food discover these 7 must-try festivals in Saudi

Saudi is buzzing with creativity and culture and there are few better ways to experience it than by attending a local festival. Whether you want to pay homage to the country’s eclectic art scene, dance the day away in the desert to electronic music, or be able to say that you’ve attended the largest date festival in the world, there will be a festival for you. Partake in traditional rituals, embrace the local way of life and celebrate the very best of Saudi at one of these seven festivals taking place across the country throughout the year.

Soundstorm Electronic Music Festival

Every year, Saudi’s desert transforms into the ultimate dance-fuelled fest at MDL BEAST’s iconic Soundstorm festival, taking place on the outskirts of the capital, Riyadh. Dance and two step your way through four incredible days of the hottest electronic music in the industry this December, with an iconic lineup of around 200 regional and international artists, serving up the very best of electronic dance music. Last year’s festival played host to over 700,000 attendees, and this year looks to be even bigger. A truly unforgettable experience.

Red Sea International Film Festival

Get to know the Saudi film scene at Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, the ultimate festival for filmmakers and the global film industry. This event is one of the biggest of its kind in the country, bringing together film lovers and movie stars and offering them a glimpse into what’s happening across the industry. It’s also a great way to get a first look at some of the biggest blockbuster movies before they roll out on the big screen.

AlUla Arts Festival

This seven week festival is a celebration of all forms of art, from cutting-edge contemporary works to ancient art that’s been preserved for thousands of years. Past festivals have seen epic large-scale installations by local and international artists, interactive painting performances, immersive audio dance shows, and even a one-man band looping the sounds of clocks ticking and coins clanging. The event is a ceremony for all things creative and pays homage to the incredible performing arts scene that is prominent all over Saudi.

Saudi Feast Food Festival

Get acquainted with the local gastronomy, ingredients and food heritage at the Saudi Feast Food Festival in the historic area of…