UAE travellers can now enjoy easier regional trips thanks to updated visa policies, and Saudi Arabia is hosting some of its biggest festivals and events between July and December 2026. From cultural shows and desert adventures to dazzling art displays and world-class music events, here are five must-attend experiences that could make your next Saudi getaway unforgettable.
Jeddah Welcomes Summer 2026
Jeddah is set to shine during the Saudi Summer 2026 season, opening on June 20. The program spans five destinations: Jeddah, Asir, the Red Sea, Taif, and Al Baha, offering beaches, entertainment, cultural experiences, and shopping. This year's edition emphasises family-friendly activities, with packages available through the Saudi Offers Platform. As one tourism official noted, "Jeddah continues to strengthen its position as one of the Kingdom's premier tourism destinations."
AlUla Skies Festival 2026
From November 6 to November 15, AlUla's UNESCO-listed desert region will host the breathtaking Skies Festival. Visitors can enjoy hot air balloon rides and watch colourful creations fill the skies over Hegra. This annual festival is dedicated to all things aerial and offers a breathtaking escape to the Arabian winds and the majestic desert terrain of AlUla and Hegra.
Azimuth Festival, AlUla 2026
Coinciding with Saudi National Day weekend in September, Azimuth Festival blends electronic music and arts in AlUla's desert landscape. Past editions have featured global stars like The Chainsmokers and Jean-Michel Jarre, making 2026's lineup highly anticipated.
Noor Riyadh 2026
The world's largest annual light art festival returns for its sixth edition in late fall and early winter. Noor Riyadh has already achieved 16 Guinness World Record titles, and 2026 promises even more dazzling installations as part of the Riyadh Art initiative.
MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2026
On December 3–4, Riyadh's Banban district will transform into the "City of Sound." Soundstorm is the region's boldest music festival, drawing hundreds of thousands of fans to dance to international, regional, and local artists across massive multi-stage setups.
UAE: Which Nations Get Ninety Days Visa Free?
A total of 49 nations enjoy visa-free access to the UAE for up to 90 days within a 180-day rolling window. Multiple entries are permitted under this category, though travellers are strictly prohibited from taking up employment. The eligible countries include Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas Islands, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Maldives, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic Of Guyana, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, United States of America, and Uruguay.
UAE: Who Qualifies for Thirty Days Entry?
Another group of countries receives a 30-day visa-free stay upon arrival, with options for extensions available in most cases. Immigration authorities advise these travellers to verify extra entry conditions on official platforms like the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security before booking. The countries in this bracket are Andorra, Brunei, Hong Kong (China), Kazakhstan, Macau (China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Republic of Ireland, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vatican City.
UAE Bans Social Media Use for Children
Legit.ng previously reported that the United Arab Emirates announced a ban on social media use for children under the age of 15, with platforms required to monitor and disable accounts created by underage users or risk being blocked in the country. The UAE's official WAM news agency announced the measure, citing a cabinet resolution that sets 15 as the minimum age for social media use.
