This month’s Lifestyle Corner explores how Saudi Arabia’s cultural calendar bridges the modern and the traditional, from immersive art festivals in the capital to heritage celebrations and high-adrenaline events across the Kingdom. As the winter season unfolds, locales including Riyadh, Jeddah, the Eastern Province, and AlUla offer a mix of innovation, history, and community spirit, with each event reflecting a different facet of Saudi Arabia’s evolving cultural identity. Whether through light art, exciting sporting events, or seaside celebrations, November’s lineup offers residents and visitors alike an engaging look at the diversity of new and old experiences across the country.
Riyadh
Noor Riyadh
Riyadh will glow with creativity as Noor Riyadh, one of the world’s largest light art festivals, returns to illuminate the city’s skyline. Spanning public parks, streets, and landmarks, the event features hundreds of large-scale installations and interactive artworks from Saudi and international artists. Visitors can enjoy guided art tours, family workshops, and evening exhibitions that transform the capital into an open-air museum of light and imagination.
- Dates: November 19 – December 5, 2025
- Location: Across Riyadh
- For more information: Visit Saudi – Noor Riyadh
- Tickets: riyadhart.sa/en/noor-riyadh
General Aviation Airshow 2025 – Sand & Fun
Marking Saudi Arabia’s first major general aviation showcase, the Sand & Fun Airshow will combine innovation, culture, and adventure in one dynamic event. Aviation enthusiasts, families, and industry leaders will gather for five days of air displays, interactive exhibits, and networking opportunities designed to highlight the future of flight in the Kingdom.
- Dates: November 24 – 28, 2025
- Location: Across Riyadh
- Tickets and more information: sandnfun.com
Eastern Province
Al Souq – Ajdan Walk Pop-Up Market
This month-long open-air market reimagines the classic Arabian souq for modern visitors, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Local artisans and emerging Saudi brands will present handmade products, perfumes, fashion, and jewelry in a lively community setting that captures both the charm and creativity of the Saudi household.
- Dates: October 22 – November 22, 2025
- Location: Ajdan Walk, Al Khobar
- For more information: Platinumlist – Al Souq
Khobar Breeze Festival
Set against the backdrop of the Arabian Gulf, the Khobar Breeze Festival celebrates coastal living through culture, entertainment, and family fun. Visitors can enjoy live performances, heritage-themed zones, and seaside games, while the festival’s closing Environmental Awareness Day underscores its commitment to sustainability and community engagement.
- Dates: November 5, 2025 – January 30, 2026
- Location: Al Khobar Waterfront
- For tickets and more information: Platinumlist – Khobar Breeze Festival
AlUla: Ancient Kingdoms Festival 2025
As part of AlUla’s annual Ancient Kingdoms Festival, visitors are invited to step back in time and explore the legacies of Dadan, Lihyan, and the Nabataeans. The festival blends archaeology, storytelling, and immersive performance to bring ancient civilizations to life across the region’s monumental landscapes.
- Dates: November 20 – December 6, 2025
- For more information: Visit Saudi – Ancient Kingdoms Festival
Hegra Geology Hike
This guided hike offers a rare chance to explore Hegra’s geological and historical features, revealing the natural forces that shaped its dramatic rock formations and the artistry of the Nabataeans who once carved them.
- Dates: November 22 – December 6, 2025
- Tickets: Book Here
Hegra Drone Show – Stories from the Sky
Hundreds of drones light up the night sky in this award-winning performance that blends light, sound, and storytelling to reimagine the tales of ancient Arabia above the tombs of Hegra.
- Dates: November 19 – 28, 2025
- Tickets: Book Here
Hegra After Dark
Returning with new theatrical and culinary elements, Hegra After Dark immerses visitors in Nabataean history through atmospheric storytelling, live performances, and marketplace scenes that capture the sights, sounds, and scents of an ancient civilization.
- Dates: November 25, 2025 – February 13, 2026
- Tickets: Book Here
Jeddah
F1H2O World Championship – Jeddah Grand Prix 2025
Jeddah’s waterfront will surge with excitement as the F1H2O World Powerboat Championship returns to the Red Sea coast. Visitors can witness world-class racers compete at incredible speeds, alongside live music, entertainment zones, and food stalls that make the event a family-friendly festival of sport and spectacle.
- Dates: November 26 – 28, 2025
- Location: Obhur South Corniche, Jeddah
- Tickets: webook.com
World Rally Championship 2025
Bringing global motorsport to the western coast, the World Rally Championship invites fans to experience the intensity of off-road racing up close. Elite drivers from around the world will navigate challenging desert and coastal routes, offering thrilling viewing points along the course and a festive atmosphere suitable for all ages.
- Dates: November 24 – 28, 2025
- Location: Jeddah
- For more information: Visit Saudi
