DUBAI: Beautyworld Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s leading beauty exhibition, has been rescheduled for 2027, organizers Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia have announced. The event was originally due to take place from May 18-20 this year.
A statement said the new dates were intended to “preserve the international scale of the exhibition, ensure high-quality participation and maintain strong commercial value, while prioritizing the safety, wellbeing and trust of exhibitors, sponsors, partners and staff.”
The move comes amid a wider wave of postponements affecting major cultural and industry events across the Middle East.
In Qatar, the Design Doha Biennial has been rescheduled for Nov. 5-7, with exhibitions remaining on view until New Year’s Eve. The event, organized by Qatar Museums and Design Doha, was originally planned for April 16 to June 30. First launched in 2024, it brings together exhibitions, commissions, jury awards, coaching programs, publications and special events.
Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Film Festival has also been postponed, with its 12th edition now set to take place from June 25 to July 1, instead of April 23-29. Organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and supported by the Saudi Film Commission, it will again be hosted at Ithra’s headquarters in Dhahran. This year’s edition will explore the theme “Cinema of the Journey,” presenting a curated selection of Arab and international films — short and feature-length — that center on journeys and movement as essential storytelling elements.
Meanwhile, the Middle East Film & Comic Con will now take place from Sept. 11-13, rather than April 24-26, at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. Organizers say the change will allow more time to prepare an expanded program of celebrity guests, comic creators, exhibitors, performances and competitions.
Meanwhile, Beautyworld Riyadh organizers remain confident the new dates will mean an improved experience.
Teresa Heitor, Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s portfolio director of consumer goods, said: “This decision follows extensive consultation with our stakeholders across the market and a careful assessment of the current operating environment. Our priority is to ensure we bring the industry together in a way that ensures meaningful engagement, strong business outcomes, and a high-caliber event experience for our exhibitors, partners, speakers, and wider community.”
Flyn Roberts, chief commercial officer, added “This was a measured decision, and we are confident it is the right step to protect the positioning and long-term value of the event, while prioritizing all stakeholders who have long supported our platform.”
