JEDDAH: Jeddah has transformed its iconic waterfront with festivities and activities to accommodate the many visitors attending Jeddah Season, which launched for the first time this year on June 8.
The city’s 41-day Sea and Culture festival features international shows and plays being presented for the first time in the Kingdom, along with street parades, art exhibits, 3-D art displays and water activities.
Families can take a stroll by the waterfront, set up picnics and enjoy the view. Or they can head to one of the many stations equipped with bus stops (free of charge) to check out the various activities and festivities in each area.
Events stay open past midnight due to the summer heat. Visitors flock to the waterfront around sundown to enjoy the beautiful sunset and wait for the music, street parades and performances.
Kids and parents swing and laugh with the musicians and street performers, some of them in colorful costumes on stilts passing over children’s heads accompanied by drum beats.
Nearby, the XJED festival boasts a variety of entertainment, retail kiosks, a theater, an arcade area, a small zoo, a maze, virtual reality games and more.
Local and international music bands play on stages, while a spectacular fire and fountain water show has visitors entranced by the choreography.
Visitors can take in the XJED festival in a mini London double decker bus.
The waterfront is lit with street decorations, while passers-by can enjoy pop-up restaurants such as Signor Sassi, Scalini, Nobu, Q Lounge, and Lounge by Aurum.
Jeddah Season aims to highlight the city as a top tourist destination, and to encourage partnerships with local businesses.
Organizers hope to generate up to 20,000 job and volunteering opportunities for young Saudis.
Jeddah Season is a key part of the city’s tourism strategy, which includes supporting local entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium enterprises interested in investing in tourism partnership opportunities in retail, restaurants, services and other related sectors.
Jeddah Season summer festival transforms city’s waterfront
Jeddah Season summer festival transforms city’s waterfront
- Jeddah Season aims to highlight the city as a top tourist destination, and to encourage partnerships with local businesses
- Organizers hope to generate up to 20,000 job and volunteering opportunities for young Saudis
Stray animals cause 426 accidents, 5 deaths in 2025
- Govt says heavy fines for cutting road fencing
- Animal owners must use designated crossings
RIYADH: Stray animals have been the cause of 426 accidents, five deaths and 26 injuries on the Kingdom’s roads in 2025, according to a new report.
The General Authority for Roads revealed the statistics to raise awareness about the dangers of people tampering with road fencing, the SPA reported.
It said the public must use designated camel crossings to protect lives and property.
The authority added that fencing and crossings are designed according to the highest standards to regulate the movement of animals.
It warned that deliberately cutting fencing was a criminal offence, with fines running up to SR50,000 ($13,000).
In addition, perpetrators will be responsible for the costs of repairing the damage.
The authority said measures are in place for camel crossings on single-lane roads or other unfenced routes.
Owners can coordinate with the call center at 938 to determine a suitable time for crossing, provided it is done all at once, during daylight hours, and in the presence of a road supervisor.
The authority urged camel owners to educate their workers about the regulations.
The Kingdom’s road network has 51 camel crossings and 3,056 km of fenced roads.
The authority said it is adhering to the standards of the International Road Safety Assessment Program.
The aim is sixth place globally in the quality index by 2030, and reduce fatalities to under five per 100,000 people.
