May in Saudi Arabia moves fast. The calendar fills before you decide what to prioritise, and by the time you look up, half the month is gone. So here it is upfront: the May events in Saudi Arabia this year span circus acts in Jeddah, gravity-powered racing on an F1 track, Red Sea cruises, free heritage walks, woodworking courses, beauty expos, marathon mornings and enough to justify leaving the house every single weekend. Read this, pick your dates, and go.
May 1 to 2: Start May With Bread and a Full Moon
Baker’s Mart at Hayy Jameel, Jeddah
Hayy Jameel hosts its Baker’s Mart this weekend with select bakeries, artisanal pastry shops and independent bakers all gathered under one roof. Taste, browse and buy.
Before you go: May 1 to 2. 10am to 10pm. Fenaa Hayy, Hayy Jameel.
Community Garden Photography Workshop, Jeddah
A phone-camera workshop at Hayy Jameel that teaches you to see outdoor garden spaces differently, a genuinely calm start to the month among the May events in Saudi Arabia.
Before you go: Friday, May 1. 5pm to 7pm. Hayy Jameel.
The Flower Moon
At 8:23pm on May 1, the first full moon of the month rises across Saudi Arabia. Named for the spring season it peaks during, it is best watched from the Jeddah Corniche, Diriyah or anywhere with an unobstructed horizon.
Before you go: Free, obviously. May 1. 8:23pm. Across Saudi Arabia.
Six Hands at Café Boulud
Café Boulud at the Four Seasons hosts a two-night collaborative dinner bringing together three chefs Thierry Motsch of Café Boulud, Palestinian chef Ruba Khoury, and Saudi chef and consultant Ahlam Alsharief. Classical French technique meets regional ingredients including zaatar baladi, Jazan mango and Taif prickly pear. Two nights only, limited seats.Before you go: May 1 to 2. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre.
Until May 2: Last Days of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale
The third edition of Saudi Arabia’s flagship contemporary art event wraps up on May 2 at JAX District, Diriyah. Curated around the theme of processions and nomadic cycles, it has been one of the standout cultural festivals in Saudi Arabia this spring. Catch the closing day walking tour with artist Nora Bin Saidan through the JAX District.
Before you go: SAR 50. May 1. 7pm to 9pm. Foyer, Public Programs Building, JAX District, Diriyah.
Until May 14: Pluma Circus by Cirque du Liban, Jeddah
Cirque du Liban’s Pluma brings aerial acrobatics, high-energy choreography and a full theatrical production under a grand circus tent right in Jeddah. Two shows daily, built for all ages, and genuinely spectacular.
Before you go: SAR 115+. First show 5pm to 6:30pm, second show 8:30pm to 10pm. Pluma Circus Tent, opposite Red Sea Mall, Jeddah.
Until May 14: LIFT Gallery Arcade, Riyadh
LIFT Gallery at JAX District is running its Arcade exhibition until May 14, a playful, community-rooted show in one of Riyadh’s most creatively charged addresses. Worth pairing with a walk through the district and a coffee at the WithHeart café inside the same building.
Before you go: Until May 14. LIFT Gallery, i02, JAX District, Riyadh.
Until May 19: Of the Earth, Diriyah Art Futures, Riyadh
Running until May 19, this major group show at Diriyah Art Futures brings together works by over 30 artists examining the intersection of technology and the natural world. One of the most considered exhibitions in Riyadh right now.Before you go: Until May 19. 11am to 11pm daily. Diriyah Art Futures, Riyadh.
May 3 to 10: Beauty Show Expo, Jeddah
The Beauty Show Expo lands at the Jeddah Superdome for eight days, gathering leading local and international beauty brands, industry experts and content creators under one roof.
Before you go: Free entry. May 3 to 10. 5pm to 11pm. Jeddah Superdome.
May 5: Saudi Coffee Ceremony and Cultural Cooking, Riyadh
Bonjour Arabia runs a full roster of heritage experiences all month in Riyadh, but May 5 is a good anchor day. The cooking workshop at Foodsphere takes you through traditional Saudi recipes with a local chef, and if you want to extend it, the Saudi Coffee Ceremony (SAR 199) and Najdi Traditional Breakfast (SAR 200, minimum two people) run every day from 10am — a genuinely calm, sensory way into Najdi hospitality culture. Book the coffee ceremony for the ritual alone: the preparation, the tools, the pouring, the dates.Before you go: Cooking Workshop, May 5, Foodsphere, Riyadh. Coffee Ceremony and Cultural Breakfast available daily from 10am. Bonjour Arabia, Riyadh.
May 6 to 10: Jewels of the World, Riyadh
One of the largest jewellery and watch exhibitions in the region rolls into Riyadh this week, showcasing collections from local and international brands with no ticket required. It then moves to Al Khobar from May 14 to 17.
Before you go: Free. May 6 to 10, Riyadh. May 14 to 17, Al Khobar.
May 7 to 9: Samhaniya Thrift, Riyadh
One of Riyadh’s beloved community thrift events returns to Samhaniya for a three-day run. Pre-loved fashion, vintage finds and the kind of slow, satisfying browse that malls cannot replicate. Arrive early on the first day if you want first pick.
Before you go: May 7 to 9. Samhaniya, Riyadh.
May 8 to 9: Moxie’s Swamp — Shrek Spin Class, Riyadh
Moxie Studio does themed spin classes better than anyone in the city, and this one turns the cycling studio into a full Shrek swamp. Two days only, so if you have been waiting for a reason to finally try a spin class, the ogre awaits.Before you go: May 8 to 9. Moxie Studio, Riyadh.
May 9 to 11: Woodworking Course at Hayy Jameel, Jeddah
A three-day beginner to intermediate course teaching hand tools, power tools and workshop machines, with a serving tray as the final project you take home. One of the more satisfying cultural activities in Saudi Arabia this May for anyone who wants to build something with their hands.
Before you go: SAR 600. May 9 to 11. Hayy Jameel, Jeddah.
May 14 to 16: Soapbox Saudi at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
The first-ever Soapbox Saudi takes place on the F1 circuit, pitting teams of four to five people against each other in gravity-powered vehicles they built from scratch. Vehicles must weigh under 80kg, run entirely on gravity, and look as inventive as possible. Total prize pool is SAR 100,000.
Before you go: SAR 35. May 14 to 16. Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
May 14: AROYA Cruises Launches Its 2026 Season From Jeddah
AROYA Cruises departs Jeddah on May 14, resuming its Red Sea season with multi-country itineraries covering Yanbu, Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan. Book a cabin and turn a long weekend into a Red Sea crossing.
Before you go: Departing Jeddah from May 14.
May 14 to 16: Summer Bazaar by Lavender Events, Jeddah
A summer pop-up in the Jameel District with fashion, food, shopping and the kind of easy weekend energy that makes May events in Saudi Arabia worth planning around.
Before you go: May 14 to 16. 5pm to 11pm. Jameel District, Jeddah.
May 18 to 20: Beauty World Riyadh
More than 400 exhibitors from nearly 40 countries descend on Riyadh for one of the region’s biggest beauty and cosmetics trade events, covering everything from K-Beauty to organic skincare and beauty tech. A serious event for industry insiders and beauty enthusiasts alike.
Before you go: May 18 to 20. Riyadh.
May 18 to 19: Unspoken Monologue Series, Riyadh
Presented by Writers in Riyadh and Aurora Theatre, Unspoken: Episode 1 is a two-day showcase of original theatre, music and writing that works through identity, relationships and the self through dark humour.
Before you go: SAR 120+. May 18 to 19. 7pm to 10pm. The Warehouse, JAX Culture Area, Al Diriyah Al Jadidah.
May 20: Five Iron Golf Opens in Riyadh
Five Iron Golf opens its first Saudi location at the PIF Tower in KAFD, with 11 simulators running TrackMan and Golfzon technology across a 12,000 square foot space that also carries a full sports bar and food menu.
Before you go: Simulator sessions start at SAR 150 for 30 minutes. From May 20. PIF Tower, KAFD, Riyadh.
May 22 to 24: Saudi eLeague Elite, Riyadh
The Saudi eLeague’s 2026 Elite Division arrives at Boulevard City for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, gathering the Kingdom’s top competitive gaming teams for a three-day tournament that is genuinely worth attending even if you do not play.
Before you go: SAR 35. May 22 to 24. Boulevard City, Riyadh. saudieleagues.com.
May 23: One Run Riyadh
Riyadh joins over 100 cities worldwide for One Run, a simultaneous global race with four distances: 21km, 10km, 5km and a 1km fun run open to children. Races start between 5am and 5:20am while the city is still cool. One of the most community-spirited Saudi Arabia events in May, and one of the best things to do in Saudi Arabia this month if you want to feel the whole city move at once.
Before you go: SAR 59 to 180. May 23. Wadi Namar, Riyadh.
Everything Happening Right Now (and All Month Long)
The Sunken Treasures Exhibition, Jeddah:
At the Red Sea Museum in Al Balad, this exhibition uses archaeology and art to resurrect shipwrecks from the Red Sea floor, turning lost vessels into a story about maritime heritage, ecology and human passage. Walk through a corridor of actual archaeological remains from the Saudi coastline.
Before you go: Until May 31. SAR 10 per person. Red Sea Museum, Bab Al Bunt Building, Al Balad, Jeddah.
teamLab Borderless, Jeddah:
Roughly 80 artworks across 10,000 square metres that respond to your presence in real time, no map and no fixed route, just light and sound and movement on the shores of Lake Al-Arbaeen overlooking the UNESCO Historic District. Book ahead, it sells out on weekends.
Before you go: SAR 150+. Culture Square, Al Arbaeen Lagoon, Historic Jeddah.
Mosaic Workshop at Al Shera’a, Jeddah
Drop in, work with colourful stones and beads, and take home something you made yourself. Open all month, no booking required for walk-ins.
Before you go: Sun to Wed 5pm to 10pm, Thu to Sat 5pm to 11pm. Al Shera’a, Jeddah.
The Legends of Motherland Exhibition, Jeddah
Artist Sara Alabdali’s intimate exhibition runs until May 24 at Al Fallah School, open Sat to Thu from 8pm to midnight. Free to visit.
Amazonia AlAmmariah, Riyadh
An immersive agricultural destination with curated green spaces and interactive installations set in a tranquil nursery farm, open all month and perfect for families who want nature without a drive to the desert.
Before you go: Until May 31. SAR 35 for adults, SAR 20 for children. Amazonia Nursery Farm, AlAmmariah, Riyadh.
Boulevard Flowers, Riyadh
Millions of flowers, oversized sculptures, dreamy installations and a rare birds zone that is worth the extra ticket. Open until June 16, making it one of the longest-running outdoor Saudi Arabia weekend events this season.
Before you go: From SAR 28.75, or SAR 69 including the rare bird zone. Hittin, Riyadh.
Black Gold Museum, Riyadh
A sophisticated and genuinely immersive museum inside KAFD that uses contemporary art and multi-sensory galleries to tell the story of oil, from geological origins to the globalised present.
Before you go: Open all month. King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, KAFD, Riyadh.
KAFD Saturday Market, Riyadh
Every Saturday throughout May from 4pm to 10pm, Area 4 at Alwadi in KAFD hosts a curated weekend market with artisan vendors, local Saudi brands, food pop-ups and coffee.
Before you go: Free entry. Every Saturday. Zone 4, Al Wadi, KAFD.
Open Sports Day at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Every Sunday and Tuesday from 9pm to 11pm, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit opens for cycling, rollerblading and running. No event ticket needed, just show up and move.
Free Entry at Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah
Entry to Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace is free throughout May, giving you open access to one of the most historically significant sites in the Kingdom. Walk through the UNESCO-listed birthplace of the Saudi state, take in the old Najdi architecture, and stay for dinner at one of the terrace restaurants.
Before you go: Free entry. Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah, Riyadh.
Immersive Gamebox Squid Game Experience, Riyadh
Hayy Qurtubah is home to Riyadh’s Immersive Gamebox, where projection-mapped walls and motion-tracking technology turn you and up to five friends into actual players inside the world of Squid Game. Red Light, Green Light, the glass bridge, the full lineup. One hour, genuinely competitive, no VR headset required.
Before you go: All week. Immersive Gamebox, Hayy Qurtubah, Riyadh.
Bob’s Famous Bowling & Arcade, Riyadh
For the week you just want to turn your brain off and knock something over, Bob’s Famous at Park Avenue delivers — neon-lit lanes, arcade tokens, a full Tex-Mex menu and enough energy to suit a work night out, a birthday, or a first date that needs a little competitive spark. From SAR 75 for a round of bowling plus arcade credit.
Before you go: Park Avenue, Riyadh. Sat to Thu 11am to 2am, Fri 2pm to 2am.
Synergy Art Hub | Candle Printing Workshop, Riyadh
Now at Rooh Space inside VIA Riyadh, Synergy Art Hub brings its hands-on workshop programme to one of the city’s most atmospheric destinations. The candle printing workshop lets you leave with something tactile and yours. Also running all month: pottery, Asiri painting (Saturdays), Sadu weaving and more. Walk in or book ahead depending on the session.
Before you go: All week. Rooh Space, VIA Riyadh.
ROKA Riyadh | Reimagined Space and New Menu
ROKA has reopened with a reconfigured, more intimate layout that draws you closer to the robata grill and the theatre of the kitchen. The new menu adds bold arrivals like the Beef Katsu Sando alongside the signatures that made it one of Riyadh’s most consistently great Japanese restaurants. Lunch runs Sunday to Friday from 1pm; Saturday brunch from 1pm; dinner from 5pm.
Before you go: Open daily from 1pm. ROKA Midtown, Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Road, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh.
Check Into W Riyadh, KAFD
W Hotels has made its Saudi debut at the King Abdullah Financial District, and the city has noticed. The property brings 210 rooms and a full social dining universe: Sira for open-fire Latin American cooking, Beni for all-day coffee and artisanal ice cream, and WET Deck for poolside Mediterranean bites with skyline views. The interiors draw on Al Sadu weaving patterns and desert stone — it reads distinctly Saudi even under a global brand. Bookings are now open for stays from May onwards.
Before you go: Open daily. W Riyadh, KAFD, Al Aqeeq Street, King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh.
Meet the Bees, Riyadh
An hour-long, family-friendly beekeeping experience. Kids suit up in real gear, explore working hives and come away with a genuine understanding of how honey gets made. One of the more unexpected and educational things to do in Riyadh this month.
Before you go: Daily from 4pm. Until May 30. FoodSphere, Riyadh.
Escape to Nofa Riyadh
About 45 minutes from the city, Nofa Riyadh — a Radisson Collection Resort — is Saudi Arabia’s only five-star safari resort, sitting alongside a wildlife park home to more than 85 species and 2,800 animals. Three curated stay packages are on offer: a family safari adventure, a spa and wellness retreat, and a full-board culinary journey. Day passes (from SAR 399) cover the safari, mini golf, kayaking, paddle tennis and restaurants without an overnight commitment.
Before you go: Daily. Nofa Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Resort, New Makkah Highway, Exit 857, Riyadh.
Bonjour Arabia Heritage Experiences, Riyadh
If you have been meaning to go deeper into Saudi craft and culture, Bonjour Arabia runs one of the most thoughtfully assembled workshop menus in the city: all Riyadh-based, all ongoing throughout May. Choose from Najdi Door Painting (SAR 270), Subha Making (SAR 199), Sadu Weaving (SAR 340), Palm Leaf Weaving (SAR 250), Candle Making (SAR 250), Perfume Workshop (SAR 330), Pottery (SAR 250), Asiri Painting on Saturdays (SAR 250), or go all-in on the Edge of the World Hike (SAR 500) or Camel and Desert Experience (SAR 600). For evenings: a Traditional Live Dinner hosted in a mud house (SAR 300), a Table Under the Stars (SAR 400), or the Fusion Live Dinner with chefs Nawaf and Waleed (SAR 400). Most sessions require a minimum of two people and run daily.
Before you go: Various prices and timings. All Riyadh-based. Book via Bonjour Arabia.
Every Saturday: Very Sary Night, Riyadh
Sary Al-Khaled hosts his weekly stand-up comedy night at Comedy Pod, blending audience challenges, spontaneous humour and the kind of warm, unpredictable energy that makes it one of the best regular comedy nights in the city right now.Before you go: Every Saturday. Comedy Pod (EXIT), Riyadh.
Show Up With Energy This May
The Saudi Arabia events calendar for May 2026 covers every register: free heritage walks at Diriyah, SAR 10 maritime exhibitions in Al Balad, gravity-powered races on an F1 circuit, Red Sea sailings from Jeddah, art biennales in their final days, community markets every Saturday in KAFD. You do not need a packed itinerary or a big budget. You need to pick a few, commit, and let the month do the rest. May events in Saudi Arabia have rarely been this varied or this worth showing up for.
FAQs
What are the best May events in Saudi Arabia for families in 2026?
Top picks include Pluma Circus in Jeddah (until May 14), Beauty Show Expo at Jeddah Superdome (May 3–10), Baker’s Mart at Hayy Jameel (May 1–2), One Run Riyadh (May 23), Soapbox Saudi at Jeddah Corniche Circuit (May 14–16), and Amazonia AlAmmariah in Riyadh, open all month.
What free events are happening in Saudi Arabia in May 2026?
Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah has free entry all month. Beauty Show Expo (May 3–10) is open to all. Jewels of the World runs in Riyadh (May 6–10) and Al Khobar (May 14–17) without tickets. The Flower Moon appears May 1, and KAFD Saturday Market runs weekly at no charge.
What cultural festivals and exhibitions are on in May?
Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale closes May 2. Sunken Treasures runs all month in Al Balad, Jeddah. Legends of Motherland continues until May 24 at Al Fallah School. Black Gold Museum remains open throughout May in KAFD.
What are the best things to do for tourists and expats?
teamLab Borderless in Jeddah, Soapbox Saudi (May 14–16), AROYA Red Sea cruise (May 14), Diriyah Biennale’s closing weekend, and Sunken Treasures stand out.
Are there outdoor activities in May 2026?
One Run Riyadh (May 23) leads. Open Sports Day runs weekly at Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Boulevard Flowers and Bujairi Terrace suit evening visits.
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This article is brought to you by Soul of Saudi (a Saudi travel blog dedicated to uncovering the beauty, heart, and soul of the Kingdom)
