Jeddah Festivals | Best Annual Events & Guinness World Records!

A lively city that celebrates modern pop-culture as well as traditions that date back thousands of years, Jeddah offers tourists plenty of fun adventures to take part in during the lazy days of summer. Jeddah Summer Festival features games, watercraft rides, discount shopping opportunities, nightly fireworks displays, ATV rides through the desert sand dunes, and the chance to indulge in delicious Arabic-style street food. Other Jeddah festivals invite tourists to experience authentic Saudi Arabian culture. Whether traveling to the region for business, to make a pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), or just for fun, be sure to plan a trip around Jeddah festivals!

Jeddah Festivals | All About Jeddah Season & Jeddah Summer Festival

Occurring from June 8 to July 18, Jeddah Season is part of a year-long Saudi Seasons campaign that is aimed at packing more tourism and fun into all of Saudi Arabia. Jeddah Summer Festival, in its 20th year, kicks off the festival season just after the end of Ramadan, and each day offers new and exciting adventures.

From snorkeling along coral reefs to climbing desert sand dunes in an ATV, tourists should be ready for a wild ride. There are over 80 official events during Jeddah Season and Jeddah Summer Festival, and travelers are likely to find some unofficial private events – and plenty of delicious food – as they stroll the streets of Jeddah!

Jeddah festivals | 11 can’t-miss events during Jeddah Season

• Backstreet Boys Concert – June 27
• Bicycle Parade – June 24 to July 12
• Experience the Wheelchair – June 21 to July 5
• Diving Experience (KAEC) Overnight Diving Trip – June 23 to July 29
• Laugh Factory – June 23 to July 18
• Mobile Theme Park – June 19 to July 17
• Jeddah Season Shopping Festival – July 17
• Las Fallas – June 15 to July 18
• Car Parade Show – June 8 to July 18
• Street Music Shows – June 8 to July 17
• Glow Garden – June 8 to July 17

During Jeddah Season (June 8 to July 18), Jeddah puts on a wild and crazy fireworks show every other night beginning at 11pm. Head down to the waterfront early to get a good seat for all of the action. During the show, musicians will perform and guests can expect to see lots of dancing and theatrical performances. The fireworks show is the perfect end to a festive day at one of the best Jeddah festivals.

Jeddah Season and Jeddah Summer Festival are great times for guests to take advantage of discounted rates on hotels, airline tickets, car rentals, and other travel accommodations when traveling to Jeddah.

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Jeddah Festivals | Jeddah Summer Festival Restaurants & Eateries

Creating rich and indulgent food is one of the foremost ways that Saudi’s share their culture and traditions with the world, and guests will have an abundance of delicious options when celebrating the summer season in Jeddah. From spicy curry bowls to fresh and succulent seafood, be prepared to dine like royalty at exceptionally affordable prices.

Assalat Alreef Cafe

Located at King Abdul Aziz Rd, Al-Zahra’a, Assalat Alreef Cafe specializes in pizza and other Italian comfort foods. It is open from 2am-5pm daily, except for Friday, and features a relaxing atmosphere clad in modern European decor. Assalat Alreef Cafe is considered to be a quick-serve cafe and is known for its Shesha and gourmet coffee, which can be enjoyed inside the cafe or out on the patio.

Shami Restaurant – Palestine

Dolling out gourmet steak and fries, cream soups, and BBQ plates that are meant for sharing, Shami Restaurant – Palestine is a fine-dining restaurant for those who wish to try an assortment of cuisine from all over the world, all under one roof. Shami Restaurant – Palestine is mid-grade eatery that is located just off of Palestine Street. The dining room boasts a low-lit cozy atmosphere, and the menu items are presented in an exquisite manner that makes them look like art on a plate. Shami Restaurant is open for dinner and guests can order dishes like beef samosa, cream soup, mixed shawerma, pizza, steak, and other tantalizing options.

Catch

Have a craving for fresh-caught seafood that is served up in an artful manner? CATCH offers world-class seafood that is served up with all of the finer details in mind. A go-to seafood restaurant of the United Arab Emirates, CATCH is one of the many fine-dining restaurants making an appearance at Jeddah Summer Festival. Visitors can find CATCH along the waterfront and it will be open during the dinner and late night hours to feed the need for gourmet seafood cravings. Menu options available include spicy shrimp soup, sushi, perfectly seared scallops, and an assortment of seafood salads.

Coya

Take a culinary journey down to Peru without leaving the Jeddah Summer Festival at Coya. Coya is one of the many restaurant line-ups located in King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in downtown Jeddah and showcases fresh and colorful ceviches, fish tacos, Chilean sea bass, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Coya’s pop-up restaurant will be open daily until July 18th.

Nineve

Adorned in classy Arabic decor and furnishings, Nineve serves up classic Arabic cuisine using fresh and local ingredients. This fine dining restaurant is located in King Abdullah Sport City Stadium and offers indoor seating as well as a picturesque outdoor patio. At Nineve, visitors are presented with a full menu of options ranging from cold starters like spicy avocado and lemon confit to main menu items like chicken tangine. Nineve is for those who want to indulge in fine Arabian cuisine in a relaxed setting.

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More Annual Events & Jeddah Festivals

The fun to be had in Jeddah does not stop with the finale of Jeddah Summer Festival: Jeddah festivals happen all year long!

• Saudi National Day (Unification of the Kingdom Day) is celebrated on September 23 in commemoration of the renaming of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. Traditionally, locals have celebrated the day at home with their families, but in recent years, Saudis proud of their heritage have revved up festivities during the holiday. It is now common in Jeddah to see locals singing and dancing in public squares, honking their car horns and waving Saudi flags during Saudi National Day.
• Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated in late spring or early summer, depending on the exact date on the lunar calendar for the year. In Jeddah, Eid al-Fitr is a large-scale national celebration with music and dancing, crafts and games for children and an abundance of food for all. Eid al-Fitr is a weekend long event, and all visitors are welcome.
• A new festival in Jeddah, the Red Sea International Film Festival is slated to begin in 2020. The exact dates of the festival are yet to be released, but it promises to be filled with storytelling, screenings, and celebrations of film and theatrical performances on an international scale. Red Sea International Film Festival will be held on the waterfront in the historical district of Jeddah.
• Considered to be one of the holiest holidays in the Islamic faith, Eid al-Adha is the “Festival of Sacrifice” in which Muslims from all over the world commemorate Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as he was commanded to do so by God. This holiday also marks the end of the season for the yearly pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). Traditionally, Muslims sacrifice a cow, ram, or lamb during the holiday and share it with those in need. In Jeddah, many locals forego the sacrifice and instead celebrate the event by enjoying a large meal with friends and family. The holiday is celebrated on August 10 and 11 and travelers are likely to see Muslims of the area dressed in their finest clothes for Eid al-Adha.

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Fun Facts about Jeddah | Guinness Book of World Records

Striving to become a destination city for vacation-bound travelers from all over the world, Jeddah, does not hold back when it comes to creating a modern and entertaining city that “wows” people. Jeddah even has managed to put itself on the world stage by holding multiple titles in the Guinness Book of World Records!

Guinness World Records in Jeddah

1. World’s Tallest Outdoor Fountain – Spraying water up into the sky as high as 853 feet (some records say 1,024 feet!), King Fahd’s Fountain is the tallest fountain of its kind in the world.
2. World’s Largest Styrofoam Ship – In celebration of Jeddah Summer Festival, artists constructed the world’s largest Styrofoam ship, which at one time was on display at Red Sea Mall.
3. World’s Largest Tea Bag – Constructed in 2014 by the owner of Rabea Tea, this giant tea bag was a statement piece weighing in at 551 pounds (250 kilograms).
4. World’s Tallest Lighthouse – Ships have no problems finding the port city of Jeddah thanks to it being the home of the world’s tallest lighthouse. Jeddah Light is just under 440 feet tall and sits prominently near the waterfront for all to see.
5. World’s Largest Mug Cake Mosaic – Lucky visitors hanging out at Al Andalus Mall during the 2018 Saudi National Day were treated to free cake from the world’s largest mug cake mosaic. The record was set by Betty Crocker brand and Panda Retail Company, a well-known grocery store chain. The mosaic was made with 19,600 Betty Crocker mug cakes.

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