15 things to look forward to in Saudi Arabia in January 2026
Get the lowdown on the things to look forward to in Saudi Arabia in January, with our guide to the hottest shows, food and drink highlights and unmissable exhibitions
And seemingly in the blink of an eye, it’s now 2026. What awaits us this year? Will we start with new habits and mindsets to carry into the new year? Or will we keep on keeping on, and bring the spirit of 2025 into 2026?
Find out how to kick off the year with a bang, with our guide to the best things to see and do in Saudi Arabia in January 2026. However you’re planning to spend January, we hope it’s the start of a very happy 2026.
January 8 to 10: Hayy Matsuri returns for its third edition at Hayy Jameel
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Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Shu Ha Ri, the martial art concept of learning through imitation, innovation and invention, Hayy Matsuri presents a three-day curated public programme celebrating cultural exchange between Japan and Saudi Arabia. Free and open to all ages, the festival brings together Japanese and local artists, designers, musicians and collaborators to co-create, interact and exchange across a wide range of art forms, including film, performance, culinary arts, visual culture, crafts, poetry, design and more. Register your visit here.
Location: Hayy Matsuri, Hayy Jameel, Jeddah
Timings: 5pm to 11pm
Until January 10: Check out the world’s largest falconry event
Even if falconry is new to you, the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival is an experience you won’t want to miss. Immerse yourself in heritage-focused activities, such as traditional falconry demonstrations, hands-on falcon-handling workshops, and a falconry museum showcasing the sport’s history. Visitors can also explore art exhibitions, heritage market stalls, desert camps, cultural performances, and family-friendly attractions. Want all the details on visiting the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival? Download the Saudi Falcons Club app for official schedules and ticket info.
Location: Saudi Falcons Headquarters, Malham, 792P+JQ, Malham 13380, Riyadh
Throughout January: Walk into a world of wonder at Global City Dammam
Explore experiences shaped by different parts of the world, from international dishes to cultural showcases and live performances, all without leaving Dammam. From light installations and a carnival featuring rides and activities for all ages to handcrafted pieces, artworks, and cultural products, and live shows and performances, Global City Dammam is where global culture meets local vibes, offering endless reasons to explore, wander, and return for more.
Location: Global City Dammam
Timings: Weekdays 4pm to 1am & Weekends 4pm to 2am
Cost: SAR23 each for general admission & SAR100 for family ticket for five. Book your tickets here.
Throughout January: Don’t miss the ‘Gypsy Chef’ exclusive pop-up
Calling all Jeddah foodies. Renowned chef and restaurateur David Myers, also known as the “Gypsy Chef”, is in town. Adrift Mare is right in our own backyard, but only for a limited time. Now through Thursday February 12, 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, 6.30pm to midnight.
Contact: 050 066 2097 | Reservations can be made here.
January 16 & 17: Not your average polo match
Set against the striking sandstone landscapes of AlUla, the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo stands as one of Saudi Arabia’s most distinctive sporting events, blending elite polo with luxury, culture, and heritage. Held in a purpose-built desert arena, the event gathers international polo players, premium hospitality, and a fashionable crowd for a weekend where sport meets spectacle. Expect exhilarating matches, sophisticated social gatherings, and an atmosphere that is as much about the setting and experience as the game itself, making it a true bucket-list event in AlUla’s winter calendar.
Location: AlFursan Equestrian Village, AlUla
Timing: Jan 16 & 17, Noon to 6pm
Cost: Starting at SAR 400. Book your passes here.
Throughout January: Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush
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If you haven’t heard, Six Flags Qiddiya City is now open. 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. A single-day pass costs SAR325, and you can have unlimited access to all rides.
Location: Six Flags Qiddiya City, Riyadh Province
Timings: 4pm to midnight
Cost: Tickets start at SAR325 and can be purchased here
Throughout January: 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 January 17: Dakar Rally speeds into town
Dakar Rally 2026
A motorsport fan’s dream, the Dakar Rally showcases a vast range of different off-road vehicles racing over multiple gruelling terrains, such as dunes, mud, and rocks, for hours each day for a fortnight. This year, it began in Yanbu on the Red Sea coast on January 3, with participants embarking on a journey spanning geographic diversity and adventure, passing through Al-Ula, Hail, Riyadh, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Bisha, and Al-Hanakiya, before concluding in Yanbu again on January 17. With around 5,000 kilometres of timed stages, it promises to be one of the longest and most exciting Dakars in history.
Throughout January: Golden hour at Rosewood Jeddah’s 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.
Location: Soleil Rooftop, 17th Floor, Rosewood Jeddah
Timings: 5.30pm to 2am
Contact: +966 12 260 7140
January 29 & 30: Jeddah party squad, this one’s for you
Mark your calendars for Thursday January 29 and Friday January 30 for the fourth edition of Balad Beast. Set in Jeddah’s iconic Al-Balad district, music lovers and culture seekers can wander through the Unesco-listed streets. Dance around Balad and hop square to square, featuring four stages, each bringing a unique vibe that blends historic charm with thumping beats. The Balad Beast lineup features an exciting mix of international and regional superstars, including Playboi Carti, Shaggy, Naïka, Don Toliver, Solomun, Ben Böhmer, Loco Dice, and Pawsa, with more announcements coming soon.
Location: Balad Beast 2026, Al-Baghdadiyah Al-Sharqiyah, Jeddah
Timings: Jan 29 & 30, 2026, 5pm to 2am (doors open at 4pm)
Cost: Starts from SAR449. Tickets are available here.
Throughout January: 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 January 30: Look out for the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
Art lovers, the Biennale returns for its third edition from Friday January 30 to Thursday April 23. Bringing together works by an international group of artists at JAX, this year’s theme, In Interludes and Transitions, draws from a colloquial phrase invoking the cycles of encampments and journeys in nomadic communities in the Arabian Peninsula, taking as a point of departure the movements, migrations, and transformations that continue to connect the Gulf region with the world.
Location: JAX District, Riyadh
Visit: biennale.org.sa
January 30 & 31: WWE returns to Riyadh
Saudi Arabia is gearing up for one of the biggest sports entertainment moments of the decade as WWE returns to Riyadh with Royal Rumble on Saturday January 31. It will take place at a brand-new, purpose-built venue in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). Ahead of the Royal Rumble, Riyadh will also host WWE SmackDown on Friday January 30, delivering a high-energy night of live entertainment. Featuring top WWE Superstars and pivotal storylines, SmackDown will set the scene for the weekend ahead of the historic Royal Rumble. Fans can expect thrilling matchups and must-see moments as the road to WrestleMania intensifies.
Location: KAFD, Al Ghadir, Riyadh
Timings: SmackDown, Jan 30, 7pm (Gates open at 3pm) | Royal Rumble, Jan 31, 9pm (Gates open at 3pm)
Cost: Ticket starts at SAR50 for SmackDown and SAR80 for Royal Rumble via the WeBook platform
Throughout January: Step inside Jeddah’s exciting new museum
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If you’re in Jeddah and craving a dose of culture, you’re spoiled for choice. And now, you can add the Red Sea Museum to your list. Housed in the newly-restored Bab Al-Bunt building in Al Balad, Historic Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the museum’s permanent collection features 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, are also on display alongside modern and contemporary artworks by Saudi, regional, and international artists.
Location: Red Sea Museum, Albalad, Jeddah Historic District
Timings: Tues to Sun, 10am to 10pm
Cost: SAR10. Book your tickets here.
January 31: Sotheby’s returns to Saudi Arabia for second auction
Safeya Binzagr, Coffee Shop in Madina Road
Sotheby’s returns to Saudi Arabia with its second international auction, Origins, building on the success of the Kingdom’s landmark debut sale early last year. Taking place in Diriyah on Saturday January 31, the auction features more than 70 works by leading Saudi and Middle Eastern artists alongside internationally renowned names, with many pieces appearing at auction for the first time. Before the sale, the entire collection will be on view in a free public exhibition at Bujairi Terrace from Saturday January 24, aligning with the timing of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and just prior to Art Basel Doha’s Middle East debut. Spanning categories from Ancient Sculpture and 20th-century design to Modern and Contemporary art, the auction places Diriyah at the heart of a key moment in the region’s expanding art calendar.
Images: What’s On Archives / Supplied
