Saudi Arabia to celebrate 89th National Day with over 70 entertainment events

Saudi Arabia’s 89th National Day will feature over 70 entertainment events across the Kingdom, organized by the country’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) for the five-day National Day Season.

From September 19 until National Day on September 23, two million people are expected to watch light shows, national music performances, and fireworks across the Kingdom, said the CEO of the GEA, Amr Banaja, in a press conference on Sunday.

“We have several activities planned across the Kingdom to celebrate all the memories of this precious day as Saudis,” said Banaja.

The GEA has launched the festivities under the slogan “Himma Hatta al-Qimma”, which loosely translates to “Strength until the End.” The slogan is inspired by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s comments comparing Saudi strength to Tuwaiq Mountain near Riyadh, explained Banaja.

Saudi nationals, residents, and visitors can enjoy the festivities by visiting street festivals, watching fireworks shows, attending concerts, and taking part in activities including art and craft workshops and sports.

Fireworks shows are scheduled across Saudi Arabia and will feature 700,000 fireworks launched 300-meters into the sky, according to Banaja. One of the fireworks shows will take place at the Jeddah Corniche, which boasts recreation areas, pavilions and civic sculptures along the Red Sea.

International and regional stars, including Kuwaiti singers Nabil Shuail and Nawal el-Kuwaitia, will hold exclusive concerts in stadiums across eight of the Kingdom’s cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Buraydah, Jazan, Hail, al-Jawf, and Tabuk.

Several global performances, including “Cirque du Soleil” - the world’s largest theatrical producer in the world - are also set to present shows curated specially for Saudi National Day.

Five speakers, who are yet to be announced, will hold forums around the country to share their inspirational stories in Medina, Tabuk, Abha, Hail, and Buraydah.

The National Day Season is one of the Kingdom’s 11 festival seasons occurring throughout the year. The events aim to transform Saudi Arabia into a tourist destination in line with the Vision 2030 economic plan to diversify the Saudi Arabian economy.

Each season is themed to highlight different aspects of Saudi Arabia’s heritage and culture. The most recent festivals were Jeddah Season, a six-week entertainment which ran from June 8 to July 18, and al-Soudah Season, which included the Flowerman Festival.

Riyadh Season will be held next month.