Home / 8 Experiences and Events to Immerse in Saudi Arabia’s Culture
Saudi Arabia is considered one of the most important countries for several reasons such as its pre-Islamic and Islamic history, culture, traditions, and heritage. Prophet Muhammad has lived there his whole life, and also because Mecca and Madinah are the two holiest and most sacred cities, are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Muslim devotees come from all parts of the world to perform their Umrah and Hajj. People from the USA can get their Umrah done without any tension or stress, by planning their Umrah tour with Houston Umrah Packages. Whether you are visiting Sudi Arabia for Umrah or tourism, Saudia is culturally, historically, and traditionally so rich that it has so much to offer. Saudi Arabia has taken tourism to a different level. Undoubtedly, Saudia is a combination of culture and modernity. Here are some cultural events, experiences, and festivals to see the authentic cultural side of Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah is a city full of life, colors, lights, and culture commemorating modern and old traditions. Jeddah offers plenty of fun activities and adventures for the local and international tourists. The historic Jeddah festival starts after Ramadan and is held annually in the Al-Balad district of Jeddah. Tourists can enjoy 80 events at this festival, including the Jeddah Season. These events are held in the old city of Al-Balad, a UNESCO Heritage Site. As Jeddah is an old historic and culturally rich city it takes pride in celebrating its culture, heritage, history, traditions old town, etc. Jeddah Summer Festival offers games, different water sports, and activities, fireworks displays, ATV rides through deserts, Shopping, and a chance to enjoy thoroughly Arabian Cuisine.
Jeddah Summer Festival attracts tourists from around the globe and provides an incredible opportunity to observe the culture of Saudi Arabia. This festival focuses on how daily life was in Jeddah back then. If you are visiting Saudi Arabia for Umrah by availing Umrah Packages from USA or any other country, or you are in Saudi Arabia for other purposes plan a tour to Jeddah for the Jeddah Summer Festival and experience the legacy, traditions, and old Saudi Arabia culture.
Jenadriyah is a festival that celebrates the culture and heritage of Saudi Arabia. It is held annually in Jenadriyah for two weeks. Jenadriyah festival honors the local and regional legacy of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula. This festival promotes local artisans and is a platform to showcase their talent, folk art, customs, and work to the outside world.
If you are a fan of animal races then you are in the right place, Camels inaugurate this festival.
Different sports (animal races), fireworks, airshows, falconry, traditional art exhibitions, both national and international Govt. Services and organizations showcasing. Lastly, how could we miss the food? You could enjoy the whole Arabian Peninsula Cuisine at a single festival. You can buy a souvenir from stalls. If you are planning a tour or have planned, add this festival to your list to enjoy the heritage, folklore, traditions, and culture of the Kingdom.
Souk Okaz Festival is a 10-day event celebrated in the city of Taif. During this festival, a modern souk is being created just like the old one where different competitions of sports, animals, artwork, poetry, literature, and acting are held and as well as different foods are sold. Souk Okaz Festival is the perfect mixture of modern culture and ancient heritage. A perfect platform to showcase art, literature, poetry, and acting from all around the world.
Souk Okaz festival celebrates the rich culture and heritage of Saudi Arabia. This festival briefly explains how ancient people used to live, and the heritage through modern means and also tells the development of ancient handicrafts into modern ones. The attractions of the Souk Okaz Festival include different activities such as Music and Art Plaza, food, camel and horse races and events, cultural and handicraft exhibitions, marketplace, and open theatre at Okaz.
Its history and heritage are the reasons why it has become a prime tourist attraction and every year a large number of tourists come to Taif and enjoy this culturally rich event.
Saudi National Day is being celebrated on 23rd September every year. Saudi National Day is a public holiday and commemorates the decision of unification of the land of Hejaz and naming it the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 decided by King Abdul Aziz Al Saud. Saudis observe National Day by decorating their houses, buildings, and streets with Saudi flags, weaning traditional clothes, delicious Saudi foods, discounted shopping opportunities, trips to heritage places, live parades, airshows, and fireworks, and different sports and cultural activities. This day combines heritage, national spirit, and enjoyment so the people commemorate it with honor.
Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha are two holidays celebrated by all Muslims annually. Muslims celebrate Eid al Fitr on the 1st of Shawal, as it marks the compilation of the holy month of Ramadan. Every region has varying eid traditions and cultures Saudis celebrate Eid by decorating their homes, wearing new clothes, offering their Eid prayer, having amazing foods, getting money from their elders as a gift, and visiting their loved ones. Eid is considered a day of happiness and joy.
Eid-al-Adha is the second Eid celebrated by Muslims on the 10th of Duh al Hijjah. Eid-al-Fitr is the day of happiness, thanksgiving, fraternity, morals, and ethics. Saudis celebrate Eid by offering Eid prayer at a mosque and then sacrificing halal animals, as it symbolizes the willingness of Hazrat Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son in the name of Allah. After sacrifice, meat is divided into three portions; one for themselves, the second portion for the poor and needy, and the third portion for relatives. No Eid is complete without a sumptuous feast.
The Taif Rose Festival is a one-week event that takes place annually in the city of Roses, Taif.
The Taif Rose Festival is a celebration of the blooming of roses, followed by exhibitions, light and water shows, cultural activities, fragrances-making workshops, a traditional marketplace, and a children’s play area. In this festival, a park is decorated with flower artwork, flower arrangements, hanging flower baskets, and flower carpets.
Highlights of this festival are rose and floral paths, agricultural nurseries, different product displays, and government stands. This festival provides an amazing platform to promote the local artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their art and local businesses. A large number of flower enthusiasts, either locally or internationally, visit the Rose Festival. The Rose Festival plays a key role in connecting suppliers and farmers with foreign and local businesses that want to use and purchase, the area’s popular rose oil.
Al-Qatt Al-Asiri is a unique traditional art done by women in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, on the front side of the house. Al Qatt Al Asiri is a traditional art of painting the entrance, ceiling, corridors, and walls of a house with bright colors by making different geometric symbols and using techniques such as murals and frescos. In 2017, Al Qatt Al Asiri was marked on the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In the Asiri region, traditionally, women paint their homes, as the talent, colors, and depth of the painting symbolize a family’s wealth. The poorer people use red, green, yellow, and brown colors to paint their houses with simple basic designs. Among women, different competitions are being held to make the most extravagant, bright, and colorful art designs. Women’s artwork is very much affected by their choices, passion for music, how they perceive life, and their culture and traditions. These art designs are different symbols such as squares, circles, triangles, and simple, and straight lines influenced by the culture, traditions, and fabric pattern of the area.
During the Festival women showcase their artwork for visitors. This art shows the independence and empowerment of women.
Riyadh City is a mixture of both modernity and old traditions. Riyadh Season is one of the extravagant and vibrant five-month-long entertainment and sports events, divided into a varying number of zones. Millions of visitors including locals and international tourists attend this festival which starts in October and ends in March. The Riyadh season, one of its kind shows the blend of the modern and cultural sides of Saudi Arabia The main attraction of the Riyadh season is Riyadh Boulevard, in this zone different local and international cafes, restaurants, shops, dance fountains, and live theatres. Boulevard World provides you with opportunities to experience culturally rich sports, art, music, etc.
A deep insight into Saudi events and festivals has shown that Saudi is a country that takes pride in celebrating its culture, traditions, and heritage. From observing the Eid to Jenadiyah festival to vibrant celebrations of the Riyadh season, it provides many activities to tourists and visitors to keenly experience and enjoy the beautiful ancient culture and modern events and festivals of Saudi Arabia.
