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SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS


Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahsa hosts third Al Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival at Ibrahim Palace
SPA Al-Ahsa, Jan 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of the Eastern Region, inaugurated the third edition of the Al Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival in Al-Ahsa on Wednesday, held under the patronage of Eastern Region Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. Organised by the Heritage Commission, the festival will run for 11 days at Ibrahim Palace in Al-Ahsa, with organisers positioning it as a platform to support artisa
16 hours ago1 min read


Egyptian handicrafts featured at Egyptian products exhibition hosted by Makkah Chamber
SPA Makkah, Jan 27 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Traditional Egyptian handicrafts are being showcased as a central feature of the Egyptian products exhibition at the Makkah Chamber Exhibitions and Events Center, with organisers positioning the event as a cultural and commercial platform for artisans and small producers. The handicrafts pavilion includes copperware, wooden products, textiles and hand-embroidered garments, highlighting craft techniques and heritage-based produ
1 day ago1 min read


AlUla Arts Festival exhibition focuses on materials, craft and contemporary design at AlUla Design Space
SPA AlUla, Jan 27 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The exhibition “Witnessing the Material… Celebrating Design from Within” has opened at AlUla Design Space as part of the AlUla Arts Festival, offering visitors a hands-on experience to explore materials, textures and the link between craft and contemporary design. The exhibition positions design as a cultural practice grounded in research and experimentation, highlighting the role of material choices and craft skills in shaping
2 days ago1 min read


Saudi Music Commission blends folk arts into symphonic performance at AlUla
SPA Riyadh, January 24, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission staged its “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” concert at Maraya Hall in AlUla, integrating local folk arts into a contemporary symphonic performance. The programme showcased traditional forms within a professional orchestral setting, highlighting how Saudi cultural heritage can be presented through modern production while retaining its historical character. The concert supported efforts to p
4 days ago1 min read


Al Ain Heritage Festival to run Jan 31-Feb 9 under Sheikh Hazza patronage
WAM Al Ain, Jan 21, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority will stage the Al Ain Heritage Festival from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9 at the ADNEC Centre Al Ain under the theme “Tales from Our Heritage”, under the patronage of Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region. Sheikh Hazza said the festival aligns with the directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to keep Emirati heritage and its preservation
Jan 212 min read


Desert X AlUla 2026 brings site-specific contemporary art to Saudi desert landscape
AlUla, Jan 21, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – AlUla’s desert is hosting the “Desert X AlUla 2026” exhibition, an outdoor contemporary art programme that places works across the landscape, where artists draw on the area’s geological formations and natural terrain. The exhibition features works installed at multiple locations, including land art, sculptures and large-scale installations created for the site and designed to align with the desert’s visual and environmental c
Jan 201 min read


Exhibition Showcasing Architecture of the Prophet’s Mosque Opens to Visitors in Madinah
SPA Madinah, January 19, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – An exhibition dedicated to the architecture of the Prophet’s Mosque has opened to visitors in Madinah, offering an overview of the mosque’s historical development, architectural features and expansion phases, officials said. The exhibition, located south of the mosque and covering 2,200 square meters, includes several sections and interactive displays that document the evolution of the structure from its earliest co
Jan 191 min read


Music Commission to stage “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” concerts in AlUla on Jan. 22-23
SPA AlUla, January 14, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Under the patronage of Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Music Commission’s board Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the Music Commission will organise the “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” concert in AlUla on Jan. 22 and 23, the commission said. The two performances will be held at Maraya Concert Hall, with the event forming part of the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir’s programme to present the Kingdom’s music
Jan 141 min read


Japanese cultural festival “Hayy Matsuri” opens in Jeddah with three-day programme
SPA Jeddah, Jan. 9, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The third annual Japanese cultural festival “Hayy Matsuri” began on Thursday at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah, organisers said. They said the festival returns with a three-day programme inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Shu Ha Ri, which emphasises learning through imitation, followed by development and ultimately innovation and creation. Running until Jan. 10, the festival aims to strengthen cultural exchange between Saudi
Jan 91 min read


Ithra to host “Ithra Spain Cultural Days” in Dhahran from Jan. 12-31
SPA Dhahran, Jan. 9, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) said it will launch “Ithra Spain Cultural Days” from Jan. 12 to Jan. 31, 2026, featuring 130 cultural, performing and theatrical events showcasing Spanish culture at its headquarters in Dhahran. Ithra said the programme is part of its mission to strengthen cultural and civilizational exchange, and will include workshops, interactive experiences, dialogue sessions, thea
Jan 91 min read


Common Ground Festival in Riyadh spotlights Chinese culture in Saudi-Chinese Year of Culture 2025
SPA Riyadh, December 30, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Common Ground Festival, currently being held in Riyadh, is showcasing elements of Chinese civilisation and cultural heritage while highlighting areas of convergence with Saudi culture through shared values rooted in identity and tradition, according to information released about the event. The festival is being hosted at Malfa Hall in the Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk City) in Riyadh. Its third editio
Dec 30, 20251 min read


Umm Al-Qura University showcases cultural heritage during Makkah Winter Season
SPA MAKKAH, Dec. 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Umm Al-Qura University is participating in the Makkah Winter Season through its Cultural Front, presenting more than 5,500 artifacts, over 21,000 manuscripts, and a collection of archaeological inscriptions documenting the history of the Holy Capital. The Cultural Front offers a comprehensive cultural experience reflecting Makkah’s rich heritage and the university’s role in preserving and disseminating knowledge. Through spec
Dec 29, 20251 min read


Common Ground Festival opens in Riyadh as part of Saudi-China Cultural Year
SPA RIYADH, December 25 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Common Ground Festival opened on Wednesday at Malfa Hall in Misk City, Riyadh, as part of the Saudi-China Cultural Year, according to the Ministry of Culture. The festival, which runs until January 6, 2026, aims to highlight cultural exchange between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China through exhibitions and live performances exploring shared traditions and artistic expressions. Organisers
Dec 25, 20251 min read


Winter at Tantora festival opens in AlUla, runs through Jan. 10
SPA ALULA, Saudi Arabia, December 21, 2025 (SABN) – The Winter at Tantora Festival opened on Friday in AlUla Governorate and will run until Jan. 10, 2026, organisers said, launching a winter-season programme built around the region’s agricultural traditions and historical heritage. The festival takes its name from the Tantora, a mudbrick sundial in AlUla’s Old Town that residents historically used as a seasonal marker, including for timekeeping, water-sharing arrangements and
Dec 21, 20251 min read


Red Sea International Film Festival Announces Partnership With Annecy Festival Organizer
SPA Jeddah, December 12 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — The Red Sea International Film Festival has announced a three-year strategic partnership with CITIA, the organizing body of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, aimed at supporting the development of the animation sector in Saudi Arabia and strengthening its international profile. The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed in Jeddah by Red Sea Film Foundation Chief Executive O
Dec 12, 20251 min read


Desert X AlUla to Return for Fourth Edition in Early 2026
SPA AlUla, January 11, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Royal Commission for AlUla announced that the fourth edition of Desert X AlUla will take place from January 16 to February 28, 2026, as part of the annual AlUla Arts Festival. The open-air exhibition will be curated by Wejdan Reda and Zoé Whitley, with Neville Wakefield and Raneem Farsi returning as artistic directors. The event will feature works by Saudi and international artists, representing different generati
Dec 11, 20251 min read


Riyadh Art Installs 14 Public Sculptures from Tuwaiq Symposium Across City Locations
SPA Riyadh, December 10, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Riyadh Art announced the installation of fourteen sculptures created during the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium as part of its permanent public art collection. The works have been placed in several locations across the capital, including Roshn Front, the SEDRA Community, and the Sports Boulevard. Additional installation sites will be identified later. Eng. Khaled Alhazani, Executive Vice President for the Lifestyle Secto
Dec 10, 20251 min read


Louvre Museum Staff Announce Strike from December 15 Over Pay, Conditions and Management Issues
People stand outside the Louvre Museum, after French police arrested suspects in the Louvre heist case, in Paris, France October 26, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor Paris, December 9, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Staff at France’s Louvre Museum plan to strike from December 15 over pay, working conditions and management issues, according to a strike notice sent to the Ministry of Culture by three unions. The stoppage adds to a series of recent incidents that have placed the
Dec 9, 20252 min read


Cultural Development Fund Participates in Red Sea Film Festival as Official Sponsor
📷SPA Jeddah, December 8, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Cultural Development Fund is participating in the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival as the official sponsor, underscoring its role in supporting the Kingdom’s film industry. The fund’s involvement includes sponsoring several festival events and maintaining a presence in the festival market, which brings together filmmakers, investors, and institutions active in the sector. As part of its
Dec 8, 20251 min read


Philippine Culture Days Draw Strong Attendance at Riyadh Season 2025
📷SPA Riyadh, December 7, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Philippine Culture Days, organized by the Ministry of Media in cooperation with the General Entertainment Authority, continued to present a wide range of folk and artistic performances from various regions of the Philippines, with more than 70 performers showcasing the richness and diversity of Filipino identity amid strong visitor turnout. The second day of the event, held at Al-Suwaidi Park—one of Riyadh Seas
Dec 7, 20251 min read
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