What's on in Jeddah (Jiddah), Saudi Arabia through the year

Busy — school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Holiday

  Ramadan

  18 Feb – 19 MarClosuresCrowded

  Daytime shuts down and the city moves to the small hours; Al-Balad's lanes stay open until dawn. Jeddah is also the door to Mecca, so the airport and the road east run at Umrah volume for the whole month. Source ↗

Still on: Red Sea dive season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Founding Day

• Holiday

  Founding Day

  22 FebNational holidayClosures

  A public holiday on 22 February, newer than National Day and dressed in period costume rather than green. Offices and most museums close, and Al-Balad puts on shows in the evenings. Source ↗

Still on: Ramadan (18 Feb – 19 Mar), Red Sea dive season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr

• Holiday

  Eid al-Fitr

  20–23 MarRamadan & EidCrowdedClosures

  A long holiday with the Corniche and the waterfront parks full every evening and domestic flights sold out days ahead. Museums and government sites keep short or closed hours through the first two days. Source ↗

• Festival

  Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

  1 Mar – 30 Apr · usuallyMotorsport weekendCrowdedClosures

  A night race on the Corniche circuit north of the centre, with the coast road shut for most of the week and rooms at their yearly high in years it runs. The 2026 race was dropped after the spring's Iran war, with a return pencilled in for 2027 — confirm it's on before booking. Source ↗

• Hazard

  Dust and sandstorm season

  1 Mar – 31 Jul · usuallyDust season

  Spring winds carry interior dust out over the Red Sea coast, whiting out the sky for a day or two at a time and holding flights on the worst of them. Sensitive lungs feel it before the heat. Source ↗

Still on: Ramadan (18 Feb – 19 Mar), Red Sea dive season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Hajj season

• Holiday

  Hajj season

  20 Apr – 20 Jun · usuallyPilgrimage seasonCrowdedBook early

  Millions arrive through the dedicated Hajj terminal in the weeks before Eid al-Adha and leave through it after. Hotel rooms and taxis in Jeddah price accordingly, and the highway east is best avoided on the peak days. Source ↗

Still on: Eid al-Fitr (20–23 Mar), Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (1 Mar – 30 Apr (usually)), Dust and sandstorm season (1 Mar – 31 Jul (usually)), Red Sea dive season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Hajj season, Jeddah Season

• Festival

  Jeddah Season

  15 May – 31 Jul · usuallySummer season opensCrowded

  The summer entertainment season: concerts, waterfront zones and pop-up districts spread across the Corniche and Al-Balad. Past editions have run anywhere from May to late July, with dates and venues announced fresh each year, so check before planning around it. Source ↗

Still on: Dust and sandstorm season (1 Mar – 31 Jul (usually)), Hajj season (20 Apr – 20 Jun (usually)), Red Sea dive season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Hajj season, Jeddah Season

• Season

  The humid summer

  1 Jun – 30 SepExtreme heat

  Red Sea humidity on top of desert heat, which is a harder combination than the dry interior. Life happens after dark on the Corniche, and daytime is malls and the aquarium. Hotel rates sit at their yearly low.

Still on: Dust and sandstorm season (1 Mar – 31 Jul (usually)), Hajj season (20 Apr – 20 Jun (usually)), Jeddah Season (15 May – 31 Jul (usually))

Busy — Jeddah Season, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Dust and sandstorm season (1 Mar – 31 Jul (usually)), Jeddah Season (15 May – 31 Jul (usually)), The humid summer (1 Jun – 30 Sep)

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: The humid summer (1 Jun – 30 Sep)

Busy — Saudi National Day, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Saudi National Day

  23–24 SepNational holidayCrowdedClosures

  Green everywhere, air displays over the Corniche and fireworks on the 23rd, with the city out in force on the waterfront. A public holiday, so offices and many shops close. Source ↗

Still on: The humid summer (1 Jun – 30 Sep)

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Season

  Red Sea dive season

  1 Oct – 31 May · usually

  The reefs off Obhur creek and the wrecks south of the port are clearest and calmest from autumn through spring, before the summer water goes bathwater-warm and the visibility drops away. Source ↗

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Festival

  Red Sea Film Festival

  3–12 DecCrowdedBook early

  Ten days of screenings and red carpets based in the restored merchant houses of Al-Balad, which is the reason to time a visit to the old town for early December. Hotels near the historic district fill first. Source ↗

Still on: Red Sea dive season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually))

Busy — Red Sea Film Festival, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Red Sea dive season (1 Oct – 31 May (usually)), Red Sea Film Festival (3–12 Dec)