22 things to look forward to in Saudi Arabia in December 2025
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Oh my word, can you believe it’s already December? The year is flying by fast. Soon, it’s time to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome twelve new lovely chapters for 2026 in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom comes alive this month with a range of exciting events in the lead-up to the New Year. From thrilling film festivals and cultural exhibitions to vibrant parties and much more… you definitely won’t be bored.
Here are 22 of the best things to look forward to in Saudi Arabia this December 2025.
From December 3: WICKED premieres in Riyadh
WICKED The Musical arrives in the capital this weekend for its long-awaited Middle East debut at the King Fahad Cultural Center. Audiences can expect breathtaking new visuals, reimagined effects created especially for the region, and unforgettable moments such as Elphaba’s famous transformation and Glinda’s shimmering bubble entrance. As part of the Riyadh premiere, visitors can also enjoy a series of themed Tuesday nights throughout the season, such as ‘Meet the Cast Night’ on December 9 and 30, ‘Selfie Night’ on December 16, and ‘Emerald Night’ on December 23. With its powerful story, record-breaking global success, and spectacular production scale, WICKED promises an extraordinary experience for theatre lovers, families, and first-time audiences in Riyadh.
Location: King Fahad Cultural Center, Riyadh
Timings: Dec 3 to Jan 3, various timings
Cost: Starts at SAR100 and tickets can be purchased here
Throughout December: Pack your bags for InterContinental The Red Sea Resort
InterContinental The Red Sea Resort room view
Imagine waking up to breathtaking views of the Red Sea and its surrounding landscapes. You can now stay at InterContinental The Red Sea Resort on Shura Island, which is now open. The 210-key property overlooks vibrant coral reefs and flourishing mangroves. Restaurant-wise, you’ll find five dining destinations, and guests will be able to explore scenic trails by bike and glide over calm waters with activities such as windsurfing, paddleboarding, and sailing. You can also choose to unwind at the outdoor pool or along the pristine beach, or take time to rest at SPA InterContinental. Furthermore, InterContinental The Red Sea Resort is celebrating its launch with the Doorway to Discovery offer. Available during the first three months after opening, guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner, along with 50 per cent off a second room booking for Family & Friends, with rates starting from SAR3,000 per room, per night.
Location: InterContinental The Red Sea Resort, Shura Island, The Red Sea Umluj, 48511 Saudi Arabia
Contact: +966-14-5040007 / @intercontinentalredsea
Until December 4: Come and discover the world of dates
Love dates? Take part in a tasting experience of items made with Saudi dates at the Date World Exhibition in Riyadh, make traditional crafts inspired by palm trees and dates that highlight local heritage, and explore the journey of palm trees and dates from the past to the present at the Museum Zone. There are also workshops and a live cooking stage featuring local and international chefs, an interactive kids’ zone complete with mascots and fun activities, daily folkloric shows celebrating authentic Saudi heritage, and so much more. The best part? The outdoor exhibition is free and open to all.
Location: Date World Exhibition 2025, King Saud University Campus, Riyadh
Timings: Until Dec 4, 4pm to 11pm
Cost: Free, but you need to book your tickets here.
December 4, 12 & 19: Netflix is organising its first-ever Family Movie Nights
A series of free family movie night experiences is rolling out across Saudi Arabia, thanks to Netflix. Picture this: you, your favourite people, soft, comfy blankets, and delicious snacks, all while watching a classic flick or the latest blockbuster. The best part? They’re all free and open to the public, and all you have to do is register to join.
Locations: KAFD, Riyadh Dec 4 | Abha Dec 12 | Dammam Dec 19
Timings: 6pm to 11pm
Cost: Free. Reserve your spot here.
December 4 to 13: Riyadh is set to host Riyadh Music Week 2025
Look forward to a world-class celebration of music, culture, and innovation set to take place in the heart of the Kingdom. Riyadh Music Week 2025 (RMW25) is a platform that brings together the music industry and partners across different sectors. RMW25 will feature headline partnerships with SRMG and MDLBEAST, while mobilising an expansive citywide program of performances, conferences, and creative community activations. The program will include international industry summits such as the International Music Managers Forum, Music Makers Summit, XP Music Futures, and open-call “Fringe” events with curated experiences spread across heritage sites, art districts, cafes, and hotels, designed to bring music to every corner of the city. Alongside headline performances, RMW25 will also host policy and education forums, music tech showcases, and cross-sector innovation.
Location: Various, including Banban, JAX District, King Fahad Cultural Centre, and more
Visit: riyadhmusicweek.com
December 4 to 6: XP is back
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The major music conference with a nightlife aspect is making a comeback from Thursday December 4 to Saturday December 6 at the incredible JAX District in Riyadh. The experience is divided into Day and Nite programmes. During the day from 11am to 7pm, you can immerse yourself in panel discussions, demo sessions, innovative talks, transformative workshops, and competitions. From 8pm until late at night is when we’ll be enjoying a rare look into the underground music scene of Saudi Arabia. There will be a range of performances, artist showcases, jam sessions, rap battles, and more.
Location: JAX District, Riyadh
Timings: Dec 4 to 6, 2pm to 2.30am
Cost: Starts at SAR150 and tickets can be purchased here.
Throughout December: Experience true winter fun at Ithra Winter 2025
The King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, better known as Ithra, is inviting you to experience Ithra Winter 2025, held alongside the first-ever Khobar Season. Be sure to check out the much-anticipated Chinese Orchestra, an evening performance by the Tarabband, the Children’s Orchestra, as well as a brilliant Winter’s Market. Wander in and you can tuck into delicious treats at a food festival, an artists’ market, and a designers’ market.
Location: King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture
Visit: ithra.com
December 4 to 13: Welcome to the fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF)
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The Red Sea International Film Festival is set to return to the historic Al Balad district of Jeddah from Thursday December 4 to Sunday December 13. For those who have yet to get their tickets for the diverse program of global and regional premieres, they are available for purchase online. Rowan Athale’s biopic Giant, starring Amir El Masry as British-Yemeni boxing champion Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed, will open the fifth edition of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival.
Until December 6: Check out the largest light art festival
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Noor Riyadh 2025 returns bigger and brighter than ever this year, living up to its title of the largest light art festival in the world. Artworks are displayed across the city in six locations: Qasr Al-Hokm district, King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, stc Metro Station, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Station, Public Investment Fund Tower, and JAX District. Held under the theme In the Blink of an Eye, the theme explores how light interacts with the city, its people, and time – creating an unforgettable experience. The event is part of Riyadh Art, one of the four major projects under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s mandate that aim to turn the capital into “a gallery without walls.”
Locations: Qasr Al-Hokm district, King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, stc Metro Station, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Station, Public Investment Fund Tower, and JAX District
Visit: riyadhart.sa
Until December 6: An open-air museum you can wander, explore and experience
Get ready to be transported to the heart of AlUla’s captivating past. If you’ve always wanted to delve deeper into the ancient city’s rich heritage, cultural legacy, and prehistoric civilisations, check out the Ancient Kingdoms Festival. It may officially wrap on December 6, but the adventure doesn’t stop there. Fan-favourite experiences like Hegra After Dark, Ikmah After Dark, The Incense Road Experience and the Old Town Escape House Experience will keep running, letting the magic of ‘Journeys Through Time’ stretch well into the winter season.
Visit: ExperienceAlUla.com
Until December 6: Feast to your heart’s content
Foodies, enjoy an innovative journey through traditional dishes that embrace Saudi Arabia’s rich culinary history at the Saudi Feast Food Festival 2025. The festival will be divided into seven vibrant zones, each featuring over 100 restaurants. This year, there’s a Thailand zone, featuring more than 10 restaurants and diverse shops for a full sensory experience. So, bring the whole family along for a day filled with laughter, entertainment, and delectable treats. Plus, children can participate in arts and crafts workshops and hands-on culinary sessions in the Children’s Area, learning to prepare simple dishes with local ingredients.
Location: King Saud University, Riyadh
Cost: Starting at SAR15; book your tickets here
From December 6: Step inside Jeddah’s exciting new museum
If you’re in Jeddah and craving a dose of culture, you’re spoiled for choice. And soon, you can add the Red Sea Museum to your list. Set to open its doors in Al Balad, Historic Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Saturday December 6, the new Red Sea Museum will be housed in the newly-restored Bab Al-Bunt building. The museum’s permanent collection will feature over 1,000 artefacts and artworks, presented across seven themes in 23 galleries. Historical artefacts, including Chinese porcelain, incense burners, coral, jewellery, navigational tools, astrolabes, maps, sacred manuscripts, and photographs, will also be on display alongside modern and contemporary artworks by Saudi, regional, and international artists. We can’t wait to visit.
December 11 to 13: Prepare for the biggest party of the year
The time we all not-so-patiently wait for every year, Soundstorm is the region’s boldest three-day music festival, held every December in Riyadh. Set in Banban, this year’s event will be held from Thursday December 11 to Saturday December 13, with hundreds of thousands of fans dancing to the beats of global, regional and local artists. Now in its sixth edition, the festival is raising the bar with reimagined ticket categories – Storm, Storm+, and VIB tiers – plus, unforgettable new activations. What’s more, the Soundstorm 2025 lineup has shaped up to be one of the best we’ve seen. The likes of Tyla, Post Malone, Benson Boone, Halsey, Cardi B, and so many more A-listers have been announced.
Location: Soundstorm 2025, Banban, Riyadh
Cost: Tickets start from SAR239 and can be purchased via the NOFOMO website.
Throughout December: Rosewood Jeddah reopens its rooftop
When someone asks you to recommend one of the prettiest rooftops in Jeddah, you don’t struggle, because you’ve heard of the award-winning Soleil Rooftop at Rosewood Jeddah. Overlooking the Red Sea and Jeddah skyline, this stunning venue isn’t just serving up looks; this season introduces exclusive mocktails inspired by Soleil’s golden, coastal setting. Enjoy mocktails such as Tropical Qahwa, Corniche Pearl, and Breeze Over Taif, each offering a refreshing blend that captures the spirit of the sea and celebrates traditional Saudi Arabian flavours. The food menu continues Soleil’s Asian-inspired approach, with highlights like Avocado Shrimp Salad, Tandoori Chicken Wrap, and the nine-hour Braised Beef Brisket Bao. These are complemented by ZN favourites like Crab Salad and Spicy Crunchy Salmon, along with new seasonal additions.
Location: Soleil Rooftop, 17th Floor, Rosewood Jeddah
Timings: 5.30pm to 2am
Contact: +966 12 260 7140
From December 15: Rixos Murjana, Saudi Arabia’s largest all-inclusive resort, opens
If you’re looking for your next family getaway, consider this your sign: Saudi Arabia is about to debut its largest all-inclusive resort. Say hello to Rixos Murjana, which will officially open this month. Set along the pristine Red Sea coast in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), this expansive property spans 275,000 square metres and is basically your new all-in-one paradise. You can choose to spend your stay at Rixos Murjana exactly how you want: lounging on the 600-metre private beach, indulging in rejuvenating treatments at Anjana Spa, catching live entertainment, or sweating it out in expert-led fitness classes at the Exclusive Sports Club. Families are in for non-stop fun, too. The resort is home to Rixy Kids’ Club, the Kingdom’s largest and most impressive of its kind, a dedicated Teens’ Club, and the action-filled Murjana Water Park, featuring 11 thrilling slides, three pools, and three dining outlets.
Location: Rixos Murjana Jeddah, Al Sahel Road, Al Murooj, King Abdullah Economic City 23981
Contact: +966 56 076 0180 | Rixos.com
From December 18: AlUla’s Winter at Tantora is back
Winter at Tantora is back from Thursday December 18 to Saturday January 10, 2026, inviting visitors to experience the magic of AlUla during its most enchanting time of year. This year’s theme, Winter Brings Us Together, captures the festival’s spirit of connection, creativity, and celebration. Over three weeks, Winter at Tantora will transform the ancient oasis into a living tapestry of heritage, music, art, gastronomy, and shared stories, bringing together communities and visitors from around the world. Get your tickets today to experience the festival that everyone’s talking about.
Visit: ExperienceAlUla.com
Throughout December: Celebrate heritage and art at Layali Diriyah
In the heart of Al-Murayih, a historic district of Diriyah, an exceptional culinary experience unfolds where global flavours meet timeless tradition. Welcome to the fifth edition of Layali Diriyah. The event combines gastronomy, retail, art and entertainment on a picturesque palm tree farm near At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can take a culinary journey featuring restaurants, a retail village, and live performances.
Location: PHMH+CRJ Diriyah
Times: 5pm to 2am
Cost: SAR180, book your tickets here
From December 24: End the year stargazing at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Let Nujuma set the pace for your holiday with a festive offer designed for connection, calm and celebration. From elevated dining and hands-on workshops to evenings under the stars, each inclusion reflects the season through the lens of local culture, warmth and simplicity. It’s an invitation to pause, reflect and welcome the new year in a way that feels both personal and unforgettable. Here’s what you can look forward to: daily breakfast for two, a New Year’s Eve gala dinner at Sita, New Year’s brunch at Tabrah, a dedicated host to support your stay from arrival to departure, family bonfire night, astromixology class, Saudi coffee making class, creative island workshops and more.
Location: Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Ummahat Islands 2-3, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Timings: Valid for stays from December 24, 2025 to January 06, 2026. A minimum stay of two nights is required. Use the promotional code EVE to access the offer.
Contact: +966 1-45040000
December 27: Dukes up for The Night of Samurai
Riyadh Season‘s The Night of the Samurai is set to happen very soon. Happening on Saturday December 27, the fight night will see all-star Japanese fighters take on stars from all over the world. The main card will see Naoya Inoue, one of only three male boxers in history to become the undisputed champion in two weight classes, take on Mexico’s Alan Picasso, who currently holds the WBC Silver super-bantamweight championship.
Location: Mohammed Abdo Arena, Riyadh
Timings: Dec 27, doors open at 10.30am with the first fight happening at 11am
Cost: Starts at SAR50, and tickets can be purchased via WeBook
December 31: Thrill-seekers will have a new theme park to check out
If you haven’t heard, Six Flags Qiddiya City is preparing to open on New Year’s Eve, alongside the newly announced Aquarabia, the first water theme park of its kind in Saudi Arabia and the largest in the region. Located in the shadow of the breathtaking Tuwaiq Mountains, Six Flags Qiddiya City is a thrill park that will push the boundaries of the possible with five world-record-breaking rides, including Falcons Flight, the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster, which will run parallel to the F1 track. Tickets for the massive opening have also been revealed, and a single-day pass costs SAR325. The pass is valid for a single entry only, and you can have unlimited access to all rides. Book yours here.
Location: Qiddiya City, Riyadh Province
Throughout December: ‘Gypsy Chef’ David Myers takes over The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah
Jeddah foodies, rejoice. Renowned chef and restaurateur David Myers, also known as the “Gypsy Chef,” has come to town. Adrift Mare is right in our own backyard, but only for a limited time. Now through Thursday February 12, 2026, Chef Myers is teaming up with The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah to give Jeddawis a taste of the celebrated chef’s dishes. Guests will indulge in vibrant crudos, wood-fired seafood and meats, and hand-crafted pastas in an atmosphere that captures both intimacy and indulgence.
Location: The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah – Adrift Mare, 1st floor
Timings: Until Feb 12, 2026, 6.30pm to midnight.
Contact: 050 066 2097 / Reservations can be made here.
December 31: The ultimate New Year’s Eve music extravaganza
The countdown to New Year’s Eve is on, and Beast House is gearing up to be Riyadh’s ultimate white party destination. Inspired by the elegance of Mykonos, the drama of Tulum’s New Year rituals, and the visual power of Sensation White, White Out promises to elevate the city’s celebrations to dazzling new heights. Guests are invited to dress in their best white attire and enter a luxurious venue, completely transformed into a white space, where mocktails, gourmet small plates, and captivating music create an unforgettable night of nonstop energy. As the clock strikes twelve, confetti will fall in a breathtaking flurry before a cascade of white balloons fills the air, marking the start of 2026 in the most spectacular fashion.
Location: White Out NYE Event, Beast House, JAX District, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Timings Dec 31, 7pm to 4am
Cost: Starts from SAR255, and tickets can be purchased here.
