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Events Calendar

Middle East Events 2027: The Year's Calendar

Middle East events in 2027 begin with football's AFC Asian Cup across Saudi Arabia and close with back-to-back Formula 1 nights in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. In between come Art Basel Qatar, Art Dubai, the first FIBA Basketball World Cup in the Arab world and a full season of Riyadh Season shows.

Updated

Latest from the Calendar · Updated 10/24/2026

Latest for 2027

News on this year's events, newest first. Checked against the organizers.

At a glance

Events 2027 at a glance

Headline event
AFC Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia, Jan 7 – Feb 5
Formula 1
Bahrain, Jeddah, Istanbul, Lusail, Yas Marina
Ramadan (approximate)
February 8 – March 8
Biggest art weeks
Art Basel Qatar (Jan), Art Dubai (Apr)
Book early for
F1 weekends, Dubai Airshow, Eid holidays

Middle East events 2027

Middle East events 2027 at a glance

2027 is one of the fullest years the region has ever planned. Saudi Arabia hosts the AFC Asian Cup in January, Doha stages the FIBA Basketball World Cup in late summer, and Formula 1 races in five countries of the region, with the Turkish Grand Prix back at Istanbul Park in October. The art calendar is equally strong, with Art Basel Qatar, the Sharjah Biennial, Art Dubai, the Istanbul Biennial and the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah all falling in the same year.

Gulf sports dates are published calendars and can still move, so they are labeled Scheduled. Festivals that recur each year but have not announced 2027 dates are labeled Expected. Plan around Ramadan, which falls roughly from early February to early March, and the two Eid holidays, when hotels and flights across the region fill quickly. For the whole fourteen-year view, see the Middle East events calendar.

The white tented gateway of King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, lined with palms under a clear sky.
Photo: Meshari Alawfi · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Major events in 2027

MonthEventPlaceStatus
JanuaryDakar Rally (Jan 1–15)Saudi Arabia, loop from King Abdullah Economic CityScheduled
JanuaryAFC Asian Cup (Jan 7 – Feb 5)Riyadh, Jeddah, Al KhobarConfirmed
JanuaryLuxor Marathon (Jan 8); Doha Marathon (Jan 15); Dubai Marathon (Jan 17)Luxor; Doha; DubaiScheduled
JanuaryAl Hosn Festival (Jan 15–30)Abu DhabiConfirmed
JanuaryGolf: Team Cup Abu Dhabi (Jan 15–17), Hero Dubai Desert Classic (Jan 21–24), Bahrain Championship (Jan 28–31)Abu Dhabi; Dubai; Royal Golf Club, BahrainScheduled
JanuaryDubai Shopping Festival closes (Dec 4, 2026 – Jan 17)DubaiConfirmed
January–JuneSharjah Biennial 17 (Jan 21 – Jun 13)SharjahConfirmed
JanuaryArt Basel Qatar (Jan 28–30; previews Jan 26–27)Msheireb, DohaConfirmed
January–FebruaryMubadala Abu Dhabi Open, WTA (Jan 31 – Feb 6)Abu DhabiScheduled
FebruaryWorld Governments Summit (Feb 1–3)DubaiConfirmed
FebruaryQatar Masters golf (Feb 3–6); UAE Tour Women (Feb 3–6)Doha; UAEScheduled
FebruarySaudi Cup horse racing (Feb 5–6)RiyadhTo be confirmed
FebruaryQatar Open, WTA (Feb 7–13); Qatar National Sport Day (Feb 9)DohaScheduled
FebruaryHH The Amir Sword Festival (Feb 10–13)DohaScheduled
FebruaryDubai Duty Free Tennis, WTA (Feb 14–20); ATP week to followDubaiScheduled
FebruaryUAE Tour cycling (Feb 15–21)UAEScheduled
FebruarySaudi Founding Day, 300th anniversary of 1727 (Feb 22)Saudi ArabiaConfirmed
FebruaryKuwait National and Liberation Days (Feb 25–26)KuwaitConfirmed
FebruaryFormula 1 pre-season testing (Feb 24–27); Super Saturday at Meydan (Feb 27)Sakhir, Bahrain; DubaiScheduled
MarchMotoGP Qatar (Mar 12–14)Lusail, QatarScheduled
MarchBahrain Grand Prix, sprint weekend (race Mar 14)Sakhir, BahrainScheduled
MarchSharjah March Meeting (Mar 19–21)SharjahConfirmed
MarchSaudi Arabian Grand Prix (race Mar 21)Jeddah Corniche CircuitScheduled
MarchAbu Dhabi Desert Challenge (Mar 21–26)Abu DhabiScheduled
MarchWEC Qatar 1812km (Mar 25–27)Lusail, QatarScheduled
MarchDubai World Cup (Mar 27)Meydan, DubaiScheduled
AprilArt Dubai (Apr 9–11; previews Apr 7–8)Madinat Jumeirah, DubaiConfirmed
April–MayDoha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (Apr 26 – May 1)DohaConfirmed
April–MayTurkish Airlines Open golf (Apr 29 – May 2)Belek, AntalyaScheduled
MayArabian Travel Market (May 3–6)DubaiScheduled
JuneFes Festival of World Sacred Music; Mawazine; Gnaoua FestivalFes; Rabat; EssaouiraExpected
June–JulyIstanbul Music Festival; Istanbul Jazz FestivalIstanbulExpected
JulyJazzablancaCasablancaExpected
July–AugustEsports World Cup (Jul 16 – Aug 1)RiyadhScheduled
July–AugustJerash Festival; Dubai Summer SurprisesJordan; DubaiExpected
August–SeptemberFIBA Basketball World Cup (Aug 27 – Sep 12)Doha, final at Lusail ArenaConfirmed
SeptemberSaudi National Day (Sep 23)Saudi ArabiaConfirmed
September–November18th Istanbul Biennial, third chapter (from Sep 18)IstanbulConfirmed
OctoberTurkish Grand Prix returns (race Oct 3)Istanbul ParkScheduled
OctoberRiyadh Season opensRiyadhExpected
OctoberEl Gouna Film FestivalEl Gouna, EgyptExpected
OctoberRallye du Maroc (Oct 24–29)MoroccoScheduled
OctoberTürkiye Republic Day (Oct 29)TürkiyeConfirmed
NovemberIslamic Arts Biennale opens (Nov 1, 2027 – Mar 1, 2028)Western Hajj Terminal, JeddahConfirmed
NovemberAbu Dhabi Championship golf (Nov 4–7); WEC 8 Hours of Bahrain (Nov 4–6)Yas Links, Abu Dhabi; SakhirScheduled
NovemberDubai Design Week and Downtown DesignDubai Design DistrictExpected
NovemberDP World Tour Championship (Nov 11–14)Jumeirah Golf Estates, DubaiScheduled
NovemberDubai Airshow (Nov 15–19)Dubai World CentralScheduled
NovemberMorocco Independence Day (Nov 18); Oman National Day (Nov 20)Morocco; OmanConfirmed
NovemberSailGP Dubai (Nov 20–21, provisional)DubaiScheduled
NovemberAbu Dhabi Boat Show; Frieze Abu Dhabi; Cityscape GlobalAbu Dhabi; RiyadhExpected
NovemberCairo, Doha and Marrakech film festivalsCairo; Doha; MarrakechExpected
NovemberWRC Rally Saudi Arabia, season finaleJeddah regionTo be confirmed
NovemberEsports Nations Cup, the first edition, in Riyadh (postponed from November 2026)Venue to be confirmedTo be confirmed
November–DecemberFIFA U-17 World CupQatarTo be confirmed
DecemberUAE Eid Al Etihad (Dec 2–3)UAEConfirmed
DecemberQatar Grand Prix, sprint weekend (race Dec 5)Lusail, QatarScheduled
DecemberAbu Dhabi Grand Prix, season finale and first Yas sprint (race Dec 12)Yas Marina CircuitScheduled
DecemberBahrain National Day (Dec 16–17); Qatar National Day (Dec 18)Bahrain; QatarConfirmed
DecemberMDLBEAST SoundstormRiyadhExpected
Q4 (dates TBA)Red Sea International Film Festival returnsJeddahTo be confirmed
During the yearAsian Esports and Mind Sports Games (first edition)KuwaitTo be confirmed
During the yearFIFA U-17 Women's World CupMoroccoTo be confirmed
During the yearLIV Golf Riyadh (night golf)RiyadhTo be confirmed
During the yearWorld Junior Artistic Gymnastics ChampionshipsCairoTo be confirmed

Ramadan, Eid and holiday

Ramadan, Eid and holiday dates in 2027

Islamic dates are approximate (moon sighting; may differ by a day by country); each Islamic day begins at sunset the evening before. Jewish holidays in Israel follow a fixed calendar and also begin at sundown the evening before.

Holiday2027 dateWhat it means for visitors
Ramadan (approximate)February 8 – March 8Shorter business hours, daytime dining mostly in hotels, memorable iftar evenings
Eid al-Fitr (approximate)March 9Three to five days of closures and peak regional travel; book early
Day of Arafah (approximate)May 15Hajj season: Makkah open to pilgrims only, Saudi flights very full
Hajj (approximate)May 14–19Saudi hotels and flights heavily booked
Eid al-Adha (approximate)May 16Long public holiday across the Arab world; Türkiye often extends to nine days
Islamic New Year (approximate)June 6Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Mawlid (approximate)August 14Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Passover (Israel)April 22–28Busy domestic travel week; some services reduced
Rosh Hashanah (Israel)October 2–3New Year holiday; many businesses close
Yom Kippur (Israel)October 11The country stops: no traffic, Ben Gurion Airport closes for the day
Sukkot (Israel)October 16–23Festive week, hotels in demand

Biggest events of 2027

The biggest events of 2027

AFC Asian Cup, January 7 – February 5. Asia's football championship comes to Saudi Arabia, with matches in Riyadh at King Fahd Sports City and Kingdom Arena, in Jeddah at King Abdullah Sports City and at the new Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar. Base yourself in Riyadh or Jeddah, and add a weekend in AlUla, where the winter season is in full swing.

Formula 1 in five countries. The season opens under lights in Bahrain on March 14 and Jeddah a week later, then Istanbul Park hosts the Turkish Grand Prix on October 3. The year ends with sprint weekends at Lusail on December 5 and the finale at Yas Island on December 12. The 2026 Bahrain and Saudi races did not take place; the 2027 dates are confirmed. Our Formula 1 Middle East guide covers hospitality and the best seats.

FIBA Basketball World Cup, August 27 – September 12. The first edition in the Arab world, with the final at Lusail Arena. Stay in Doha or along the marina in Lusail.

Art and culture. Art Basel Qatar returns to Msheireb from January 28 to 30, the Sharjah Biennial runs from January to June, and Art Dubai takes over Madinat Jumeirah from April 9 to 11. In autumn the Istanbul Biennial opens on September 18 and the Islamic Arts Biennale fills Jeddah's Western Hajj Terminal from November 1. See art galleries and auction houses for the full art scene.

A Saudi anniversary. Founding Day on February 22, 2027 marks 300 years since 1727, the date Saudi Arabia celebrates as the founding of the first Saudi state at Diriyah.

Where to stay

Where to stay for the big events of 2027

Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre

★★★★★ Olaya, Riyadh

A landmark tower in Olaya with easy reach of the Asian Cup venues and Riyadh Season zones.

Official site ↗

The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah

★★★★★ Jeddah

A palace-style hotel on the Jeddah seafront, a short drive from the Corniche Circuit and the Asian Cup stadium.

Official site ↗

Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain

★★★★★ Al Areen, near Sakhir

All-villa retreat a few minutes from the Bahrain International Circuit, ideal for the season opener.

Official site ↗

Mandarin Oriental, Doha

★★★★★ Msheireb Downtown, Doha

In the heart of Msheireb, steps from Art Basel Qatar and well placed for the basketball World Cup.

Official site ↗

W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

★★★★★ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Built over the Yas Marina Circuit, with rooms looking down on the Abu Dhabi finale.

Official site ↗

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

★★★★★ Beşiktaş, Istanbul

An Ottoman palace on the Bosphorus, a grand base for the Istanbul Biennial and the Turkish Grand Prix.

Official site ↗

Events, property

Events, property and the year ahead

Big events bring new stadiums, hotels and transit, and they shape where people want to live. Investors watching Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi will find our guide to property near future landmarks useful. For dates of every holiday from 2027 to 2040, see holidays and national days, and continue to events in 2028.

About the datesConfirmed means the organizer has published dates. Scheduled means dates appear on an official calendar but may still move. Expected means the event recurs every year (or every other year) and is listed by its usual month. To be confirmed means the event is planned but dates or venue are not yet set. Always check with the organizer before you book.

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