JEDDAH: Jeddah Season 2024 officially opened on Thursday, under the theme “Once Again.”

The opening ceremony was held at the Jeddah Art Promenade under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, deputy governor of the Makkah region and chairman of the National Evaluation Committee for Jeddah governorate, and Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah.

Visitors were treated to drone shows, fireworks and other visual displays as the lineup of events for the season was announced.

“The fireworks were amazing!” said local man Abdul Rahman. “They lasted for a good 15 to 20 minutes and the whole crowd was mesmerized.”

Another visitor, Sana Hamid, said: “I have never seen so many people at an opening ceremony. It was absolutely magical and I can’t imagine how incredible the rest of the events will be.

“The crowd management was impressive, too. Even though we had to walk a bit, the arrangements were well organized.”

Jeddah Season 2024 runs for 60 days and is packed with activities and events to suit all tastes. It is also designed to boost the Kingdom’s economy and provide jobs for young people.

Art lovers can immerse themselves in “Imagine Monet,” an exhibition showcasing 200 of the French artist’s works, while children are sure to enjoy Joy Plex, which includes lots of fun areas, each with a different theme.

Among the opening day treats were the Beach Club — a resort-style haven at Ash Shati, which offers relaxing escapes until Aug. 17 — and Warner Bros. Discovery, where visitors can engage with their favorite carton and comic book characters, like Tom and Jerry, Batman and Superman.

City Walk returns for its fourth year, serving up interactive experiences, games, plays, dining and shopping, while there will be lots of events and concerts at Prince Majid Park over the coming weeks.

Tickets for all events can be booked through the Saudi Events website.