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| Jeddah Season | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jeddah Season |
| Location | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| First | 2019 |
| Founders | Saudi General Entertainment Authority |
| Frequency | Annual / Seasonal |
Jeddah Season Jeddah Season is a large-scale cultural and entertainment festival held in Jeddah on the Red Sea coast, organized by the General Entertainment Authority (Saudi Arabia), with participation from international promoters such as Live Nation Entertainment, Qatar Airways (as partner/sponsor), and regional institutions including the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage. Combining concerts, exhibitions, sporting events, and culinary showcases, the festival has featured collaborations with touring artists, corporate sponsors, and municipal authorities like the Jeddah Municipality and the Ministry of Culture (Saudi Arabia).
Jeddah Season is positioned within Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 reforms, aligning with initiatives by the Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia), the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, and the Ministry of Investment (Saudi Arabia). Programming has drawn international acts represented by agencies including CAA (talent agency), WME (agency), and ATG (company), and has partnered with cultural institutions such as the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the King Abdulaziz University cultural departments, and foreign consulates including the British Embassy Riyadh and United States Embassy Riyadh.
The inaugural edition occurred after policy changes from the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman administration and regulatory shifts involving the General Entertainment Authority (Saudi Arabia). Early editions followed precedents set by events like the Riyadh Season and drew on expertise from operators behind the MDLBeast festival and the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation. Growth involved infrastructure investment by entities such as the Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia), construction contractors like Saudi Binladin Group, and venue operators tied to developers including the Red Sea Global and the NEOM project.
Programming spans concerts with artists managed by Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group; theatrical productions from companies like the Royal Opera House and touring groups such as Cirque du Soleil; sports exhibitions featuring promotions with organizations such as Formula E and exhibitions connected to the Saudi Pro League; and film screenings in partnership with distributors like AMC Theatres and regional festivals including the Dubai International Film Festival. Culinary events have included chefs affiliated with the Michelin Guide and collaborations with restaurants from cities such as Cairo, Istanbul, Paris, London, and New York City.
Events have used sites across Jeddah, including the Corniche (Jeddah) waterfront, the Red Sea Mall, and temporary arenas near the King Abdulaziz International Airport. Infrastructure development has involved the Jeddah Islamic Port logistics, transport links via Haramain high-speed railway connections, and improvements to Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium. Production and staging partners have included SMG (company), Aeg Live, and regional construction firms such as Al Rajhi Construction.
Jeddah Season has been promoted as stimulating sectors represented by the General Authority for Statistics (Saudi Arabia) and attracting investment from sovereign entities like the Public Investment Fund (Saudi Arabia). The festival has engaged hospitality groups such as AccorHotels, Marriott International, and Jumeirah Group and retail partners like Saudi Arabian Airlines and Flynas through tourism packages. Cultural collaborations have involved galleries like the Athr Gallery, educational institutions including the King Abdulaziz University and Effat University, and international cultural diplomacy with missions such as the French Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the German Embassy Riyadh.
Attendance figures reported by promoters and municipal sources are monitored alongside metrics used by events such as the GITEX exhibitions and the Saudi Games. Media coverage has come from outlets including the Arab News, Saudi Gazette, Al Arabiya, BBC News, and The New York Times. Audience reception has been assessed by analytics firms and ticketing platforms like Eventbrite, Ticketmaster, and regional sellers such as Tawseel.
Future editions plan coordination with projects like Red Sea Global, NEOM, and cultural strategies advanced by the Ministry of Culture (Saudi Arabia) and the General Entertainment Authority (Saudi Arabia). Criticisms have referenced debates involving human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, commentary from international media outlets such as The Guardian and The Washington Post, and discussions in parliamentary or diplomatic channels represented by entities like the European Parliament and the United States Congress.
Category:Festivals in Saudi Arabia Category:Culture in Jeddah