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SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS


Saudi Arabia opens guest-of-honor pavilion at Damascus International Book Fair 2026
SPA DAMASCUS, February 6, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan inaugurated Saudi Arabia’s pavilion as guest of honor at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026 in the Syrian capital. The opening took place in the presence of Syrian Culture Minister Mohammed Yassin Saleh and Qatari Culture Minister Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. Saudi Arabia is this year’s guest of honor at the fair, which
10 hours ago1 min read


Saudi and Syrian culture ministers tour National Museum of Damascus during book fair
SPA DAMASCUS, February 6, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan and Syrian Culture Minister Mohammed Yassin Saleh toured the National Museum of Damascus on Thursday during Saudi Arabia’s participation as Guest of Honor at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026. The visit included review of the museum’s collections spanning prehistoric periods to modern art. The two ministers also viewed the Arab-Islamic wing, includ
10 hours ago1 min read


AlUla expands year-round programme of exhibitions, residencies and open-air heritage sites
SPA ALULA, February 4, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – AlUla Governorate has continued to develop its cultural and arts offering, building on archaeological sites, open-air heritage areas and a year-round programme of exhibitions and experiences spanning visual arts, design, crafts, photography and cinema. AlUla’s cultural landscape includes specialised exhibitions, open-air museums and sites featuring rock inscriptions and historical writings that document successive civ
3 days ago1 min read


Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale opens in JAX District, runs until May 2
SPA Riyadh, January 31, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale opened on Friday in the JAX District and will run until May 2, featuring 68 artists from 37 countries and more than 25 newly commissioned artworks under the theme “In Interludes and Transitions”. The biennale is being held near UNESCO World Heritage Site At-Turaif. Aya Al-Bakree, chief executive of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, said this edition marks the
6 days 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
Jan 271 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


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


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


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


Noor Riyadh 2025 Concludes Fifth Edition After Attracting Over Seven Million Visitors
📷SPA Riyadh, December 7, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Noor Riyadh 2025, one of the flagship programs of Riyadh Art overseen by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, concluded its fifth edition after welcoming more than seven million visitors and presenting 60 artworks by 59 local and international artists from 24 countries. Held under the theme “In the Blink of an Eye,” the festival showcased light artworks across six main sites in the capital: Al-Hukm Palace District
Dec 7, 20252 min read


Souq Al-Mawsim Continues to Draw Visitors During Diriyah Season 25-26
SPA Riyadh, Dec. 3, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Souq Al-Mawsim, one of the main programs of Diriyah Season 25-26, has continued to attract visitors since opening on November 9 in the historic Al-Tawalie district, a site closely associated with Diriyah’s commercial and cultural history. This year’s edition marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan, with programming that highlights cultural diversity through the presence of Kyoto’s herita
Dec 3, 20251 min read


Louvre to Raise Ticket Prices by 45% for Non-EU Tourists to Fund Renovations
Visitors take pictures of the painting "Mona Lisa" (La Joconde) by Leonardo da Vinci at the Louvre Museum on the day it reopened to the public for the first time since last Sunday's heist, while the Galerie d'Apollon where eight pieces of Napoleon and the Empress's jewelry collection displayed in the gallery were stolen by thieves, remains closed, in Paris, France, October 22, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes PARIS, November 29, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Louvre Mu
Nov 28, 20252 min read


AlUla Arts Festival announces fifth edition for January–February 2026 with largest program to date
📷SPA ALULA, November 25, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The AlUla Arts Festival will launch its fifth edition from January 16 to February 14, 2026 , transforming the historic AlUla Oasis into a major platform for contemporary art, design, and cultural programming. Organizers described the 2026 edition as the festival’s broadest and most diverse to date, featuring exhibitions, performances, and immersive experiences that continue to enrich AlUla’s cultural landscape.
Nov 25, 20252 min read


‘Hegra After Dark’ brings illuminated heritage experiences to AlUla during Ancient Kingdoms Festival
📷SPA ALULA, November 25, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Hegra After Dark experience, part of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, is transforming AlUla’s evenings with performances that blend Nabataean heritage and contemporary artistic expression. Held at the Hegra archaeological site, the program features immersive shows inspired by the region’s diverse historical cultures. Visitors can explore illuminated tomb facades, take horse-drawn carriage tours through heritage l
Nov 24, 20251 min read


Layali Al-Diriyah launches in Al-Murayih District as part of Diriyah Season 25/26
📷SPA DIRIYAH, November 23, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Layali Al-Diriyah , one of the flagship programs of Diriyah Season 25/26, kicked off today in the historic Al-Murayih District , unfolding in an atmosphere inspired by the area’s heritage as an agricultural and cultural hub and a long-standing gathering place for performing arts and the traditional Saudi Ardah. Running throughout the season, Layali Al-Diriyah highlights Diriyah’s legacy as a cultural and commerc
Nov 23, 20251 min read
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