This winter, Saudi Arabia isn’t offering a single story but a collection of them — from the sandstone valleys of AlUla to the modern energy of Jeddah and the Red Sea, and the coastal vibrancy of Al-Khobar. Under the banner of “Winter is Alive,” the Saudi Tourism Authority is curating more than 1,200 experiences and 600 special offers to showcase the Kingdom at its most dynamic.
Extending into the first quarter of 2026, Saudi Winter reaches across the Kingdom’s most varied landscapes. Riyadh and Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site, set a cultural and historic foundation. Qassim, Hail, and Madinah add local character, while AlUla, Jeddah, the Red Sea, and Al-Khobar bring contrast — sandstone cliffs on one side, and charming waterfronts on the other.
What makes Saudi Winter 2025 stand out is the way it has been designed to shift between different kinds of experiences. It’s a season built with contrast in mind — family moments by the sea one weekend, a heritage walk next, followed by international events that place the Kingdom on the global stage.
Saudi Winter 2025
It isn’t only the magnitude of the program that stands out; it’s the way it brings together so many different expressions of place. Every destination has its own character, and the design of the season makes it natural for visitors to explore more than one, turning a single trip into a series of layered encounters with the Kingdom.
Major highlights
The events captures both global and local energy. Headline attractions include
• AlUla Wellness Festival
• World Rally Championship
• F1H2O UIM World Championship in Jeddah
• WWE Royal Rumble
• A headline collaboration with MrBeast
These sit alongside a wide range of concerts, theatrical performances, and heritage festivals — experiences that reflect the Kingdom’s ability to celebrate both tradition and modernity in a single season.
Aligning with Vision 2030
As the program was revealed, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, highlighted how Saudi Winter fits into the country’s larger vision:
“The launch of Saudi Winter 2025 presents a new opportunity to further position Saudi Arabia as a leading global winter destination. The program builds on the achievements of the past five years in the tourism sector, particularly the growth in visitor numbers and spending, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which targets 150 million visitors by 2030.”
The statement captures the bigger picture. Tourism isn’t just a sector on the rise — it’s becoming a defining part of how Saudi Arabia shares itself with the world.
