Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, has officially launched the Saudi Winter 2025 program at a ceremony in Riyadh attended by more than 120 private sector partners. The event unveiled the full Events Calendar and outlined a wide array of tourism experiences designed to strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a leading global winter destination.
Presented under the theme “Winter is Alive”, the program highlights Saudi Arabia’s seasonal offerings across major destinations including Riyadh, Diriyah, AlUla, Jeddah, the Red Sea, and the Eastern Region, while also extending to Qassim, Hail, Madinah, and Al-Khobar. Running in phases through the first quarter of 2026, the initiative features more than 1,200 tourism products and over 600 special offers, underscoring the country’s natural, climatic, and cultural diversity.
Expanding Saudi’s tourism horizons
Saudi Winter 2025 brings together an ambitious line-up of cultural and lifestyle experiences, ranging from live concerts, theatrical productions, poetry nights, and heritage showcases, to family-friendly and beachside activities. Highlights include the AlUla Wellness Festival, the World Rally Championship, and the F1H2O UIM World Championship powerboat race in Jeddah.
Adding to the global spotlight, Saudi Winter will also feature international entertainment collaborations, including a special partnership with MrBeast and the WWE Royal Rumble as part of Riyadh Season.
A new chapter in Vision 2030
Speaking at the launch, Al-Khateeb emphasised the importance of the program in the Kingdom’s tourism strategy: “The launch of Saudi Winter 2025 presents a new opportunity to further position Saudi Arabia as a leading global winter destination. The program builds on the achievements of the past five years in the tourism sector, particularly the growth in visitor numbers and spending, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which targets 150 million visitors by 2030.”
Driving growth through partnership
The Riyadh ceremony also underlined the role of the private sector, with more than 120 partners engaged in the initiative. Their involvement is expected to boost tourism capacity and expand the range of products available to both regional and international visitors.
Looking ahead
From cultural landmarks and heritage experiences to high-profile international events, Saudi Winter 2025 offers a comprehensive portfolio designed to attract millions of visitors during the cooler months. With Vision 2030 as its guiding framework, the program reflects the Kingdom’s determination to showcase its unique cultural identity while embracing global entertainment and lifestyle trends.
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