Major Saudi Camel Festivals Return to Events Calendar

Saudi Arabia's flagship heritage camel festivals have returned to the national events calendar, reinforcing the growing role of traditional sports and culture across the Kingdom. The two headline events are the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival at Al‑Sayahid in the Riyadh region and the Crown Prince Camel Festival at the historic Taif Camel Racecourse in Taif Governorate.

The 10th edition of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival ran from 1 December 2025 to 3 January 2026, spanning 34 days of competitions and cultural activities. General spectator entry to major camel festivals in the Kingdom is free of charge, with visitors typically able to enter, park, and walk into the grounds without buying a general‑entry ticket.

For those seeking premium experiences, VIP viewing packages at Al‑Sayahid generally start from around SAR 150 often including access to a restaurant or hospitality area overlooking the main track. For the 2025‑2026 season, a Final Showcase Platform ticket was offered at SAR 500 granting access only to that showcase area during the festival period. Such tickets are non‑refundable, non‑exchangeable, and non‑cancellable except in cases determined by the organizer, and are listed on a dedicated ticketing channel once the season is announced.

Big prizes in Taif

The eighth Crown Prince Camel Festival 2026 in Taif ran for 11 days, from 3 to 13 September 2026, at Taif Camel Square. Spectator attendance was free, while total prizes exceeded SAR 50 million, with categories such as the "Laqaya" age group carrying prize pools of SAR 10.85 million over three days.

Both festivals typically operate afternoon to evening sessions — one documented format runs from around 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. — featuring heritage villages, vendor booths, restaurants, craft stalls, and camel‑riding activities. As free, family‑friendly heritage‑sports events, they remain accessible options for residents and expats looking to experience an authentic slice of Saudi tradition.

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