‘Jeddah Season’ festival offers entertainment, unique experiences to visitors

“Jeddah Season: Sea & Culture,” a festival taking place in Saudi Arabia’s city of Jeddah from June 8 until July 18, offers visitors activities, performances, events, and culinary experiences and aims to boost the city’s tourism.

The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) is organizing theatrical performances and comedy shows as part of the festival, featuring many notable comedians including Egyptian actors Mohammed Henedi and Ashraf Abdel Baqi.

Live performances

A number of musical concerts will be organized during the festival, featuring prominent Arab stars like Ahlam, Mohammed Abdu, Amr Diab, and Nancy Ajram.

Additionally, a comedy show organized by XJed at the Jeddah Waterfront and presented by the “Laugh Factory,” which is one of the most well-known comedy clubs based in Los Angeles, will run from 23 June to 18 July during “Jeddah Season.”

In a statement, the GEA said that through the events it “reaffirms its constant endeavor to meet the expectations with various tastes and preferences, provide an exceptional experience for visitors of the “Jeddah Season” and to enhance the Kingdom’s position within the entertainment sector.”

“In line with one of the pillars of the Kingdom’s vision 2030 in creating a vibrant society, the General Entertainment Authority has been established to organize, develop, and lead the entertainment sector to provide exciting entertainment options, and tailored experiences to the needs of people from all walks of life around Saudi Arabia,” the statement also said.

World-famous restaurants and more

A number of world-famous restaurants are also participating in the festival, including Nusr-Et Steakhouse, Signor Sassi, Joel Robuchon, Catch, COYA, Nobu, Gaia, Scalini, and Zuma – among others.

According to the festival’s website, “Jeddah Season: Sea & Culture” is “set across five unique destinations that collectively highlight Jeddah’s essence of sea and culture, showcasing both historic and modern attractions for everyone to explore and enjoy the city like a local.”

The destinations include Obhor, the city’s stretch of beaches, Historic Jeddah, an ancient city marked as a UNESCO World Heritage site, al-Hamraa, the corniche with the highest fountain in the world, al-Johara, a sports venue, and the Waterfront, which has restaurants, cafes, and shops.

There will also be fireworks, a flame fountain, and a laser show at the Waterfront, as well as an outdoor light festival in al-Hamraa.

Art exhibition

With the support and sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Art Council launched an exhibition as part of “Jeddah Season,” titled [21,39] - PUBLIC/PRIVATE.

According to the Saudi Art Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to artistic development, the exhibition “explores links between individuals, public and private realms and the urban dynamics of city life.”

Visa issuance

Tourists who wish to visit the festival can obtain an e-tourism visa easily via the festival’s website, with the condition that visa applicants must buy tickets for any of the festival’s events, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

“Through the purchase of a ticket, the applicant can obtain tourist visa immediately and within three minutes, by signing in on the portal www.sharek.com.sa and following simple instructions,” said Raed Abuzinada, the general supervisor of the “Jeddah Season” festival, said.

Job opportunities

“Jeddah Season: Sea & Culture” also seeks to provide a range of employment and volunteering opportunities for 20,000 Saudis in order to provide them with experience, according to SPA.

Boosting the country’s tourism and lowering the unemployment rate are some of the key aspects of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy.