Arts & Culture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

📷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