What to expect during the Diriyah Contemporary Arts Biennale 2026 closing weekend
Everything to do and see
All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately, this statement rings true for our beloved Diriyah Contemporary Arts Biennale 2026. But before the curtain closes, the event still has a few tricks up its sleeve. Here’s everything to look forward to for the Diriyah Contemporary Arts Biennale 2026 closing weekend.
Ending on Saturday May 2, the closing weekend of the Diriyah Contemporary Arts Biennale 2026, the final week marks a culminating moment for an exhibition that has brought together artists, communities, and ideas from around the globe and opens into a programme of public activations, live performances, and artist talks.
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Live performances
Among the week’s highlights are two major live performances, starting with live music sessions by musician and artist Nancy Mounir on the evenings of Thursday April 30 and May 1, which weave together sound, image, and collective listening. Also happening on Friday May 1, Hussein Nassereddine presents “Time of the Burning Horizon”, a performance that extends the Biennale’s engagement with time, memory, and material presence.
Artist talks
The programme of artist talks brings together many of the Biennale’s participating artists and thinkers. Raqs Media Collective takes to the stage on the evening of April 30, followed by a series of talks on Friday May 1, including a panel moderated by Co-Artistic Director Nora Razian and featuring artists from the Kayfa ta publishing initiative, a talk with Agustina Woodgate, Lulu Almana, and Sara Al-Omran, and a conversation with Leen Ajlan and Elena Bongiorno.
On Saturday May 2 you can look forward to a talk by Yazan Khalili and Elyas Alavi, moderated by Co-Artistic Director Sabih Ahmed, as well as a presentation by Rohini Devasher titled “From the Dust of This Planet.” In addition, a series of Learning Guide Sessions will offer encounters with works by artists Amina Saoudi Aït Khay, Abdullah Al Saadi, Mohammad Al-Ghamdi, Pacita Abad, Elias Sime, and Faisal Samra.
Fun things on offer
That’s absolutely not all, though; the closing week also activates the broader creative ecosystem of the JAX District. A special activation in the I AM JAX passage is planned from April 25 to May 2, offering a series of large-scale mirror installations bearing Vision 2030 slogans in Arabic and inviting visitors to encounter the Kingdom’s founding ambitions in an immersive, reflective space. JAX Open Studios takes place on the evenings of Thursday April 30 and Saturday May 2, featuring artists Muhannad Shono, Saleh Al Ajmi, Nora Bin Saidan, and Hadeel Alhussein.
JAX District tenants animate the closing weekend with events including an exhibition at Athr Gallery, tours led by artists at the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMoCA), live music performances at The Warehouse, and club nights at Beast House. Meanwhile, a range of vibrant culinary and retail experiences bring the district to life, featuring a curated line-up of chef stations, a DJ, and independent vendors offering ceramics, hand-dyed fabrics, and arts and crafts, in addition to the Biennale’s own pop-up store.
Location: JAX District
Timing: 3pm to 11pm
Cost: Free, book here
Images: Provided
