Saudi Arabia is preparing for its 94th National Day on September 23, 2024, continuing with last year’s Vision 2030-inspired slogan “We Dream, We Achieve.” The occasion will not only be a time for reflection on the nation’s heritage but also a chance to partake in a series of lively festivities and events that embody the day’s spirit of unity and celebration. This year, official festivities will take place from Friday, September 20th to Monday, September 23rd, giving those living and working in Saudi Arabia a four-day weekend. To stay up-to-date on new announcements, visit the National Day website.
Festive Parades and Dazzling Fireworks
Spectacular fireworks displays will light up the skies of Saudi Arabia’s cities with national colors and creative patterns. The shows are sometimes synchronized with music and integrated with drone light displays for added visual effects. Visit Riyadh’s Historic Diriyah district, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, the Ithra Center in Dammam, and Jeddah’s Old Town (Al-Balad) to see the show.
Festive parades are planned across the country – the biggest parades will run through Riyadh’s Boulevard, Jeddah’s Corniche, Dammam’s Corniche, and Khobar’s Waterfront, but any city is sure to have lively festivities, jubilant crowds, and celebration.
Source: Arab News
Saudi Games Torch Relay
The Saudi Games 2024, the nation’s largest sporting event until the 2034 World Cup, will take place in October in Riyadh. Kicking off the start of the Games is the Torch Relay, happening right now. The relay is travelling more than 3,500 kilometers (2,100 miles) through Riyadh, Khobar, Al Ahsa, Qassim, Madinah, Ha’il, AlUla, and more.
- When: Now through September 22 (torch relay); October 3-17 (Saudi Games)
- For more information on when the relay will pass through your city, visit saudigames.sa
Lighting Ceremony for the Saudi Games. Source: What’s On Saudi Arabia
AlUla Music Festival: AZIMUTH 2024
Returning for another year is the electrifying three-day AZIMUTH music festival, which is taking over the ancient town of AlUla under the theme “Until the Sun Comes Up.”
- When/Where: Wadi Al Fann, September 19 to September 21.
- Tickets: starting at SR792.
International headliners including James Blake, The Blaze, Ben Bohmer, Jamie Jones, as well as Saudi artists like COSMICAT, are set to grace the stage. Held against the stunning backdrop of AlUla’s surreal landscape, this unique music festival offers sunset-to-sunrise performances, transforming the sand into a dance floor. Immerse yourself in art, food, and entertainment as you groove to the beats of renowned artists under the starlit skies. Click here to secure your 2-day pass to AZIMUTH.
AZIMUTH 2023. Source: Experience Al Ula
AlUla/Hegra: Hot Air Balloon Rides
Get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful desert landscape around AlUla and get a magnificent view of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra as you soar through the skies in a one-of-a-kind hot air balloon ride. Helicopter rides are also available, open daily.
For more information, visit heroballoonflights.com.
Hegra after dark. Source: Time Out Riyadh
To learn more about the history of Saudi National Day, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
