Jeddah: Revitalized Tourist Destination Offers Exceptional Summer Experience

The entertainment season is stronger than ever (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The entertainment season is stronger than ever (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Jeddah: Revitalized Tourist Destination Offers Exceptional Summer Experience

The entertainment season is stronger than ever (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The entertainment season is stronger than ever (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Jeddah Season 2024 kicked off in Saudi Arabia on Friday with the theme “Once again,” offering a variety of activities across multiple key entertainment zones.
The event provides residents and visitors of Jeddah, a coastal city, with a unique summer experience in a rejuvenated tourist destination rich in cultural and historical significance.
Jeddah Season 2024 showcases live arts and cultural performances, innovative recreational and sports activities, as well as interactive adventures and skill-based games.
Additionally, it features numerous dining, café, and shopping options, making it a vibrant hub for all.
Inaugurated under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Mishal, Deputy Emir of Makkah Region and Chairman of the National Calendar Committee for Jeddah Governorate, Jeddah Season 2024 debuted with a spectacular opening at the artsy Jeddah Promenade.
The season’s opening featured drone shows, fireworks, roaming performances, and drew thousands of local residents and international visitors.
The annual festival also features a diverse range of international, cultural, and marine entertainment events.
Among the attractions, “City Walk” stands out with its interactive experiences across 8 themed areas.
At Jeddah Season 2024, “Cairo Nights” presents Egyptian culture with famous products, top restaurants, and live shows. “China Town” offers a unique cultural experience with Chinese traditions, cuisine, and more.
“Art Land” provides diverse family activities with games and shops.
City Walk offers relaxing riverside seating, while nearby “Horror Village” features interactive mazes for thrill-seekers.
“Wonder Wall” offers a distinctive culinary journey with a variety of different dishes, alongside live entertainment and unique restaurant settings set around a charming fountain.
City Walk also features over 30 skill and arcade games, along with three Arabic theatrical performances.
Additionally, the Warner Bros. Discovery: Celebrate Every Story area, being held for the first time in Saudi Arabia, provides visitors and tourists with a variety of games and entertainment shows.
Upcoming days will unveil new entertainment zones with unique experiences, fun games, and activities suitable for all ages and interests, including a closed animal park and the historic Jeddah Al Balad area.



Noor Riyadh 2024: World’s Largest Light Art Festival Returns with Over 60 Installations

The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA
The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA
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Noor Riyadh 2024: World’s Largest Light Art Festival Returns with Over 60 Installations

The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA
The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.” - SPA

Noor Riyadh, the world’s largest light art festival, has returned under the Riyadh Art Project. Running from November 28 to December 14, 2024, the festival spans three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District.

The fourth edition, themed Light Years Apart, features over 60 light-based artworks created by 61 artists from 18 countries, transforming Riyadh into a “gallery without walls.”
This year’s festival includes contributions from 18 Saudi artists alongside 43 international creators. Participating artists include Architect Saad Al-Howede, Artist Asmaa Aljohani, Artist Anna Ridler, Artist Jiyen Lee, Artist Stefano Cagol, Artist Krista Kim, Artist Stanza, Artist Javier Riera, Studio Atelier Sisu, and Artist Ryoji Ikeda, SPA reported.
Director of Riyadh Art Project Architect Khalid Al-Hazani emphasized Noor Riyadh’s vision of transforming the city into an accessible and inspiring artistic space where creativity flourishes in public areas. Festival Director Nouf Almoneef highlighted Noor Riyadh as a beacon of creativity and connection, inviting visitors to explore this year’s theme through a vibrant collection of installations across Riyadh.
Curators Dr. Effat Abdullah Fadag and Dr. Alfredo Cramerotti present Light Years Apart as an exploration of the profound connection between Althara (the earth) and Althuraya (the stars), reflecting on humanity’s journey from its current realities to its greatest aspirations.
The festival’s installations are strategically placed across its three hubs, reflecting Riyadh’s historical and cultural significance. The King Abdulaziz Historical Center bridges the city’s past and future, Wadi Hanifah provides a natural backdrop, and JAX District serves as an interactive space blending digital creativity, art, and technology.
Prominent installations include Artist Chris Levine’s Higher Power (2024), a city-wide light projection from the Al Faisaliah Tower delivering a Morse code message of hope and unity visible across Riyadh. In Wadi Hanifah, Artist Daan Roosegaarde’s SPARK creates a mesmerizing display of biodegradable floating sparks, while Shifting Perspectives by Saudi Artist Maryam Tariq explores perceptual ambiguity through pixelated imagery at Digital City.
At the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Studio United Visual Artists’ Aether features 1,500 drones performing a synchronized light show, while Artist Rashed AlShashai’s The Fifth Pyramid uses illuminated pathways to reimagine the ancient structure, symbolizing Riyadh’s transformation into a global art capital.
Noor Riyadh also offers dynamic community projects, including free workshops, guided tours, family activities, and interactive events. Adults can participate in photography and mixed media workshops, while children engage in creative activities like crafting kaleidoscopes and puppetry.
Since its inception in 2019, Riyadh Art has showcased over 500 artworks by more than 500 artists, welcoming over six million visitors. Noor Riyadh has achieved 14 Guinness World Records, solidifying its status as the most impactful light art festival globally. With its 2024 edition, Noor Riyadh continues to position Riyadh as a hub of culture, innovation, and artistic expression.