As the weather cools and the energy rises, November marks the most exciting time to visit Saudi. The season’s lineup brings global tournaments, art spectacles, and coastal thrills – all under golden skies and perfect 25 °C days. From Riyadh’s world-class entertainment to AlUla’s ancient allure and Jeddah’s pulse by the sea, November captures the very best of the Saudi Calendar.
In the first half of 2025 alone, Saudi welcomed 14.3 million international visitors, generating nearly SAR 90.5 billion in inbound tourism spending, one of the fastest surges worldwide. Saudi now ranks 15th globally in international arrivals and 12th in tourism receipts, climbing more than ten places since 2019.
That momentum sets the stage for an unforgettable November, when the world’s spotlight turns to Saudi.
Riyadh: The Capital of Events & Entertainment
Riyadh Season 2025
October 2025 – March 2026 | Riyadh
Every corner of Riyadh hums with life as Riyadh Season takes over the city. Across more than 15 zones – from Boulevard Riyadh City to BLVD World – music, sport, entertainment, dining, and spectacle merge. This November’s highlight: The Ring IV – Night of Champions (22 Nov) at ANB Arena, featuring boxing icons David Benavidez, Devin Haney, Anthony Yarde, and Brian Norman Jr. It’s pure global energy in the heart of Saudi’s entertainment capital.
WTA Finals Riyadh
1 – 8 November | ANB Arena, Riyadh
The world’s top eight women’s tennis players battle for the sport’s ultimate year-end title at the WTA Finals. Expect breathtaking rallies from Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina, all under Riyadh’s shimmering lights. The tournament represents a new era for women’s sport in Saudi – a defining moment for global fans and a major milestone in Saudi’s sporting evolution.
Noor Riyadh 2025
20 November – 6 December | Across Riyadh
As night falls, the city transforms into a gallery of light. Noor Riyadh returns with hundreds of large-scale installations and immersive works by leading Saudi and international artists, illuminating landmarks from King Abdullah Financial District to JAX District. It’s one of the world’s largest light-art festivals, a vibrant intersection of creativity, culture, and community that turns Riyadh into a city-wide masterpiece.
AlUla: Where Heritage Takes Center Stage
Ancient Kingdoms Festival
20 November – 6 December | AlUla
Step back thousands of years into the civilizations of Dadan, Lihyan, and Hegra. The Ancient Kingdoms Festival transforms AlUla’s sandstone valleys into an open-air celebration of heritage, with torch-lit tours, storytelling, and live performances beneath the stars. As visitors wander through tombs carved into rock and listen to music echoing off ancient cliffs, they’re reminded that AlUla’s beauty isn’t just historic – it’s eternal.
The region continues to attract travelers from around the globe, with inbound arrivals from Europe rising 9% this year – proof that AlUla’s magic is resonating far beyond the desert.
Jeddah: Speed, Sea & Style
FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) – Saudi Round
26 – 29 November | Jeddah
Engines roar and dust rises as Jeddah hosts the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship. World champions such as Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier tackle terrain that sweeps from mountain to coast, framed by the Saudi Red Sea’s blue horizon. It’s a high-octane finale set against one of the most cinematic backdrops in global motorsport.
F1H2O Jeddah Grand Prix
28 – 30 November | Jeddah Waterfront
The UIM F1H2O World Championship brings thunder to the sea as powerboats race across the Saudi Red Sea at breathtaking speeds. Elite racers including Jonas Andersson and Peter Morin battle for the title against Jeddah’s glittering skyline, a dazzling fusion of adrenaline and artistry that cements Jeddah’s rise as the region’s aquatic sports capital.
Why November Is the Perfect Time to Visit Saudi
November is when Saudi feels most alive. Daytime temperatures hover around 25 °C, evenings cool into the low twenties, and every region opens its doors to the world. It’s a month where global sport meets Arabian heritage, where you can watch champions in Riyadh, explore ancient tombs in AlUla, and sail across the Saudi Red Sea in Jeddah, all in one journey. Visitors from Europe are arriving in record numbers, with travel from the UK, Germany, and Turkey up 9% this year. Whether for competition, creativity, or culture, November is the perfect moment to discover Saudi’s rhythm – dynamic, welcoming, and truly global.
Beyond the Events: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore
Stay
• Riyadh: The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh and Nobu Hotel offer effortless luxury, while Bab Samhan Diriyah invites guests to enjoy refined Najdi-inspired comfort overlooking At-Turaif, a serene escape that blends contemporary elegance with heritage charm.
• AlUla: Banyan Tree AlUla and Habitas AlUla deliver eco-luxury amid desert canyons.
• Jeddah: Jeddah Edition, Shangri-La Jeddah, Raffles Jeddah, and Assila by Rocco Forte pair skyline views with Saudi Red Sea breezes.
Eat
• Riyadh: Al Bujairi Terrace for refined Saudi cuisine, Somewhere for modern Mediterranean, and LPM Riyadh for Parisian flair.
• AlUla: Ducasse AlUla and Juk AlUla bring fine dining under the stars.
• Jeddah: Okto (Greek rooftop at Shangri-La), Alieia for refined Mediterranean-inspired seafood, Basali for contemporary Saudi-style seafood with coastal twist, Circa for fusion favorites, Brix for global comfort food.
Explore
• Riyadh: Beyond the bright lights of Riyadh Season, November is the perfect time to explore the capital’s cultural and creative side. Wander through Diriyah and At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that tells the story of Saudi’s origins, or spend an afternoon discovering contemporary art at Lakum Art Space, ATHR Gallery, and The Warehouse in JAX District. For a design-led urban experience, head to KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District), Riyadh’s striking new skyline where innovation meets lifestyle, home to art installations, upscale restaurants, and scenic pedestrian zones. When the city slows down, venture out on a desert safari to the golden dunes just outside Riyadh, complete with sunset drives, traditional music, and Arabian-style dining under the stars.
• AlUla: For adventure seekers, AlUla’s dramatic terrain offers endless outdoor thrills, from hiking through the Hidden Valley and Wadi AlFann, to rock climbing, ziplining, and cycling tours across the sandstone canyons. For a softer pace, sunrise hot-air balloon rides and horseback trails reveal new perspectives of this ancient landscape.
• Jeddah: Beyond the adrenaline of rally and powerboat races, explore Historic Jeddah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with coral-stone buildings, art galleries, and boutique cafés. Stroll along the Jeddah Corniche for sunset views, dine at the Jeddah Yacht Club, or charter a yacht to explore the Saudi Red Sea’s pristine islands and coral reefs.
November in Saudi isn’t just about what’s happening, it’s about how it feels. The light, the laughter, the landscapes, everything aligns in one extraordinary month.
Come for the events, stay for more, because in November, Saudi doesn’t just host the world; it inspires it.
To learn more and plan your trip, visit the Visit Saudi website.