Buraidah Dates Carnival 2026 Draws 500+ Marketers

More than 500 marketers are taking part in the 2026 Buraidah International Dates Carnival, held near Palm Center (Markaz Al-Nakhlah) south of Buraidah city in the Qassim Region. The event runs for 75 days, from 1 August to 14 October 2026, and has already recorded strong daily sales and heavy commercial activity.

Entry to the carnival is free of charge for visitors, and parking is complimentary — no ticket purchase is required. The main visitor area typically opens in the evening from around 4:30 pm to 10:30 pm daily, while the commercial date market operates from early morning, receiving more than 2,000 vehicles loaded with dates each day.

Organized as an agricultural and economic marketing platform, the carnival showcases more than 100 date varieties. It is run by the National Center for Palms and Dates in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Qassim governorate authorities, supporting domestic agribusiness and export activity.

Strong early sales

In the first week of the 2026 season, date sales exceeded around SAR 17.9 million, with roughly 2.11 million kg of dates sold. For farmers and marketers, the process is structured: vehicles enter before sunrise, are directed to designated display and sales areas, and take part in a daily date exchange bringing together farmers, marketers, traders, and shoppers. An electronic platform formalizes contracts and protects stakeholders' rights through a secure system, building a comprehensive database for the date trade.

The carnival also boosts domestic tourism in Qassim through cultural and entertainment programs, including a rural farm experience (Rifiyah farm) and events at King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah. The 2026 season further strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a global center for dates production and trade.

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