Jeddah Season opens with spectacular fireworks and drones show
Saudi citizens travel from across the country to witness the vibrant festivities
Fireworks by the sea decorated the sky with beautiful, complex designs at Jeddah’s Art Promenade
Updated 04 May 2022
DEEMA AL-KHUDAIR
JEDDAH: The second edition of the Jeddah Season kicked off on Monday, showcasing a creative drone display in the shapes of balloons and children on swings — all symbols of Eid Al-Fitr celebration — along with Jeddah’s landmarks.
Fireworks by the sea decorated the sky with beautiful, complex designs at Jeddah’s Art Promenade, and dazzled visitors next to Al-Rahma Mosque, a sentimental landmark for Jeddawis.
Many visitors from Riyadh came to attend the season.
Basma Al-Aqeel, a Riyadh local, drove all the way to enjoy the activities. She said she was very happy to see the return of extravagant seasons in the Kingdom after the repercussions of COVID-19 and its social restrictions.
“It was a very wonderful change after all this quietness, we really needed these activities,” she told Arab News.
“I really enjoyed the fireworks show by the sea, it was a spectacular display and I really do feel like we don’t need to travel abroad anymore to attend such shows,” she added.
The drone show displayed the word “Jeddah” in the Jeddah Season font, and Al-Aqeel said that was her favorite drone image.
Nahla Al-Beeshi commented on the neat organization of the opening day.
“The opening was wonderful as we expected, as if this country did not go through any crisis,” she told Arab News.
Al-Beeshi described the fireworks display as “dreamlike” because of its enchanting designs.
“Every year the fireworks are simply more and more beautiful, as if we were in a beautiful dream,” she said.
“The pictures made with the drones were all beautiful, especially the shape of the diver, the fish, and the shape of the swing because it gave me a feeling of freedom and happiness,” she added.
She said the taste of Eid is back with these high-quality festivities, adding that the seasons will boost the Kingdom’s popularity for tourism.
“The seasons are imaginative and up to international standards, and soon we will be number one for tourist destinations, with the efforts of the Kingdom’s leadership and its people. Thank you from the heart for bringing Eid back,” she said.
Ahmed Al-Mali, a Jeddawi who lives in Riyadh, traveled back to his city for the activities. He said he has never attended a fireworks show before Jeddah Season’s opening day.
“It’s the first time in my life that I have attended a fireworks show like this; the drones and the fireworks together were an amazing show and so beautiful,” he told Arab News.
Al-Mali highlighted that the Kingdom’s entertainment field had evolved significantly for job opportunities as well.
“I’m in the engineering field, but I love the field of entertainment and I work in it as well. This field is really developing and has great opportunities for both men and women,” he added.
Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman inaugurates 3rd World Defense Show in Riyadh
Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the five-day event will run until February 12
Prince Khalid launched several key initiatives, including the launch of several defense firms and signing of cooperation deals
The show is also serving as a launchpad for cutting-edge security technologies across various government sectors
Updated 09 February 2026
Arab News
RIYADH: Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman inaugurated the third edition of the World Defense Show (WDS) on Sunday on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the five-day event will run until February 12, showcasing the Kingdom’s rapid strides toward strategic independence and technological leadership in the defense sector.
The 2026 edition features a purpose-built venue with a 2,700-meter runway for live air and land demonstrations, underscoring the show’s status as a premier global defense event.
GAMI Governor Ahmad Al-Ohali emphasized that the show reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to localizing over 50 percent of military spending in line with Vision 2030, fostering an integrated ecosystem where government bodies and international partners collaborate on innovation.
The event brings together official delegations, government entities, and leading international companies specializing in the defense and security sectors. (SPA)
Strategic agreements and major launches
The opening day witnessed significant activity at the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) Group pavilion, where Prince Khalid launched several key initiatives:
• New entities: The inauguration of SAMI Land Company, SAMI Autonomous Company, and the SAMI Land Industrial Complex.
• Supply chain: The unveiling of the SAMI Local Content Program (RUKN) and the HEET Program.
• International cooperation: A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Saudi General Authority for Defense Development and the Korean Agency for Defense Development to cooperate on advanced military research.
• Defense deals: The Minister signed cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia.
Defense Minister Prince Khalid signed cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia. (SPA)
Technological debuts & innovations
The show is also serving as a launchpad for cutting-edge security technologies across various government sectors:
AI-Powered Lucid Gravity: Public Security debuted its advanced Lucid Gravity electric security vehicle at the Ministry of Interior's pavilion. The vehicle integrates state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and specialized security equipment designed to accelerate emergency response times and support field operations.
Public Security’s advanced Lucid Gravity electric security vehicle is displayed at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion. (SPA)
This high-tech addition highlights Public Security’s shift toward smart, sustainable security solutions. By leveraging predictive intelligence and advanced command-and-control systems, the Lucid Gravity exemplifies the ministry’s commitment to protecting the Kingdom through integrated technological innovation and sustainable mobility.
Smart Helmet: Also at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion, the General Directorate of Civil Defense unveiled its smart helmet. Designed to revolutionize public safety and emergency response, the helmet features day-and-night cameras and specialized sensors to detect hazardous materials in hard-to-reach locations.
The device serves as a mobile command node, delivering live video feeds directly to command-and-control centers. By enabling real-time data analysis and faster decision-making, the smart helmet significantly reduces incident response times and enhances personnel safety in high-risk environments.
The smart helmet features day-and-night cameras and specialized sensors to detect hazardous materials in hard-to-reach locations. (SPA)
Border Security: The General Directorate of Border Guard (GDBG) showcased an integrated security system featuring radar and thermal cameras capable of detecting drones and classifying moving targets to protect critical infrastructure.
It also functions as an early warning system for critical facilities and border areas and is fully integrated with command and control systems.
Border Guard's ntegrated security system features radar and thermal cameras capable of detecting drones and classifying moving targets to protect critical infrastructure. (SPA)
Counter-Terrorism: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) presented a comprehensive framework integrating intellectual, media, and military domains to combat extremism and terror financing.
Visitors are briefed on specialized programs designed to raise the readiness of national personnel and foster sustainable institutional cooperation among member states to combat extremism. On the event’s opening day, the pavilion hosted high-level delegations, including ministers, military leaders, and ambassadors who reviewed the coalition's pivotal role in coordinating international security efforts and commended its initiatives that support regional and global stability.
A view of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition pavilion. (SPA)
Meteorology: The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) displayed advanced weather systems essential for ensuring the safety of the event's air shows and military operations.
At its dedicated pavilion, the NCM is showcasing its latest advanced meteorological technologies and systems. These solutions serve both the military and civilian sectors, providing accurate data to support beneficiary entities' operational processes and highlighting the center's pivotal role in national security and safety.
NCM's latest meteorological technologies and systems serve both the military and civilian sectors
World Defense Show CEO Andrew Pearcey noted that participation is expected to surpass previous records, reflecting the event's growing importance on the international stage. The show continues through February 12.
