Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious cultural festival, Riyadh Season 2025, has officially opened, setting the stage for a record year of entertainment, tourism, and international collaboration. The festival runs through early 2026 and is central to the Kingdom’s goal of becoming one of the world’s leading destinations for large-scale events.

Now in its sixth edition, Riyadh Season has evolved from a local celebration into a global tourism magnet, drawing millions of visitors annually. This year’s opening parade featured over 3,000 performers, themed floats, and giant balloons, showcasing the grand scale of the festival.

Riyadh Season serves as a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s “Unreal Calendar” of year-round events aimed at driving tourism, diversifying the economy, and positioning the Kingdom as a major global leisure hub. The Saudi Tourism Authority, led by football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, utilizes mega-events to attract international visitors, sustaining momentum across the tourism sector.

This year’s festival spans six zones blending heritage, technology, and entertainment, featuring the House of Hype that highlights global fashion trends and the MrBeast Zone, marking the YouTube star’s significant activation in Saudi Arabia. Boulevard World will celebrate cultural diversity, showcasing installations from Turkey, Iran, and Africa, while concerts and sporting events at Kingdom Arena, Via Riyadh, and The Groves will engage visitors worldwide.

Riyadh Season 2025 line-up includes the Riyadh Comedy Festival, gathering Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Aziz Ansari, and Russell Peters. The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition will feature top players such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner. The WWE Royal Rumble will debut in the Middle East, representing a milestone in Saudi sports.

Riyadh Season’s digital-first strategy aims to connect with younger audiences, introducing collaborations with creators like MrBeast and KSI, combining online and offline experiences. The festival, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, attracted over 20 million visitors in 2024, with expectations for 2025 to surpass that number.

Saudi Arabia has allocated $800 billion for tourism development, with projections indicating contributions of $16.5 billion to GDP by 2030. Mega-events like Riyadh Season are pivotal in boosting international arrivals, supporting jobs, and showcasing Saudi Arabia’s capacity for world-class events.