Arts & Culture

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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