Athar Festival returns this October and here’s everything you need to know
The third edition is set to be the festival’s biggest, boldest, and most dynamic yet
Calling all professionals in the creative and marketing sectors: Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity is returning next month from Tuesday October 21 to Wednesday October 22.
Athar Festival 2025, presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, is expected to gather over 3,000 attendees across two days, feature more than 150 speakers, over 80 activations, and five dynamic content stages.
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Furthermore, the largest gathering of the creative marketing industry in the Kingdom has unveiled key highlights of its upcoming third edition. Here’s everything you need to know about Athar Festival 2025.
A new venue
Taking place at JAX District – Diriyah Biennale Foundation, this year’s festival has expanded to over 6,000 square metres. The Activation Hall will host more than 80 activations, providing interactive experiences for brands and attendees.
The newly launched Talent Hub will provide direct engagement opportunities between companies and aspiring professionals, while the Ruwad Hub will support innovative agencies and entrepreneurs.
Spaces like the Networking Hub will enable meetups and link industry leaders, creative professionals, and delegations from beyond the Kingdom, encouraging international dialogue and collaboration.
What’s on the programme
Running a 12-hour daily schedule, the festival’s programme will be spread across five distinct stages. The Strategic Stage and Spotlight Stage will host high-level panels and keynotes, while the Saudi Gamer Arena will cater specifically to the rising interest in gaming and esports within the Kingdom.
The Community Stage will host topic-specific sessions, community-led programming, masterclasses, and workshops alongside the Courtyard Stage, which will offer a lively mix of live music, wellness activities, and comedy.
Returning for the third consecutive year, the Young Talent Academies and Maheerah Programme continue to play a key role in nurturing emerging talent and empowering women within the creative marketing sector. Limited registrations are still available for both initiatives, with the festival happening in October.
Additionally, the Future CMO Academy also makes a welcome return from last year, set to offer an intensive one-day programme for senior marketing leaders at the festival.
The event will conclude with the Athar Awards, recognising outstanding campaigns, individuals, and organisations across the region. This year introduces 14 new categories, bringing the total to over 30 for a memorable night that will highlight Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the ever-expanding creative landscape.
A stellar speakers’ line-up
As always, the two-day Athar Festival continues to attract some star power from the industry.
The speaker lineup features some of the most influential voices in creativity and innovation, such as Mo Gawdat, bestselling author and former CBO at Google; Jo Malone, Founder and Creative Director at Jo Loves; Ellie Norman, CMO of Formula E; and Ali Ali, Co-Founder and Film Director at Good People Films.
Athar Festival 2025 will introduce four new content streams: Creative Impact, Future Forward, Screen & Influence, and Luxury & Lifestyle, covering trends from storytelling and AI to influencer marketing and premium experiences.
Commenting on the festival, Ian Fairservice, Chairman of Athar Festival and Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said, “Since its debut in 2023, Athar Festival has grown alongside the Kingdom’s creative marketing landscape in both scale and reach. Today and for years to come, we’re proud to continue building a platform where talents from every background can connect, learn, and thrive.”
Registration for the event is now open via atharfestival.com
Location: Diriyah Biennale Foundation, JAX District, Riyadh
Timings: Oct 21, 10am to 10pm & Oct 22 10am to 7pm
Cost: Festival passes start from SAR200 and can be purchased here.
Contact: +971 54 432 4456 / @atharfestival.sa
Images: Supplied / What’s On Archives
