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Events Calendar

Middle East Events 2029: The Year's Calendar

Middle East events in 2029 follow the region's now-familiar rhythm: Formula 1 under lights, winter art fairs, Riyadh Season and the odd-year biennales. Qatar and Abu Dhabi add world championships in volleyball and track cycling, and the host of the 2036 Olympics, with Doha and Istanbul both interested, is expected to be chosen in mid‑2029.

Updated

At a glance

Events 2029 at a glance

Headline
FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, Qatar
Ramadan (approximate)
January 16 – February 13
Eid al-Fitr (approximate)
February 14
Eid al-Adha (approximate)
April 24
Calendar status
Recurring events listed as Expected

Middle East events 2029

Middle East events 2029 at a glance

For 2029, few organizers have published dates, so this page lists the recurring calendar by month. Events that return every year (or every other year) are labeled Expected; one-off events and anything whose contract or venue is not yet settled are labeled To be confirmed. Ramadan falls roughly from mid-January to mid-February, so the Gulf's winter golf, tennis and racing dates may sit around it.

Fixed national days are labeled Confirmed. Islamic holidays are approximate and follow the moon. For the full fourteen-year view, see the Middle East events calendar, and for a complete list of holiday dates, holidays and national days.

The marina and white-canopied grandstands of Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Photo: Abdul Awaes · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Major events in 2029

Months for recurring events follow their usual pattern; confirm dates with organizers before booking.

MonthEventPlaceStatus
JanuaryDakar RallySaudi ArabiaExpected
JanuaryHero Dubai Desert Classic and Gulf golf swing (Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar)Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, DohaExpected
JanuaryArt Basel QatarMsheireb, DohaExpected
JanuaryAl Hosn FestivalAbu DhabiExpected
January–JuneSharjah Biennial (odd years)SharjahExpected
January–FebruaryAlUla Moments winter season and Bahrain Spring of CultureAlUla; BahrainExpected
FebruaryWorld Governments SummitDubaiExpected
FebruarySaudi Cup and HH The Amir Sword Festival (horse racing)Riyadh; DohaExpected
FebruaryWomen's tennis in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai; UAE Tour cyclingAbu Dhabi, Doha, DubaiExpected
FebruarySaudi Founding Day (Feb 22); Kuwait National and Liberation Days (Feb 25–26)Saudi Arabia; KuwaitConfirmed
MarchBahrain Grand Prix (Formula 1)Sakhir, BahrainExpected
MarchSaudi Arabian Grand Prix (Formula 1)Jeddah (a move to Qiddiya is planned)Expected
MarchDubai World Cup (horse racing)Meydan, DubaiExpected
AprilArt DubaiMadinat Jumeirah, DubaiExpected
MayArabian Travel MarketDubaiExpected
JuneMawazine, Gnaoua and Fes Sacred Music festivalsRabat, Essaouira, FesExpected
JulyEsports World CupRiyadhExpected
July–AugustJerash Festival; Dubai Summer SurprisesJordan; DubaiExpected
September–NovemberIstanbul Biennial (odd years)IstanbulExpected
SeptemberSaudi National Day (Sep 23)Saudi ArabiaConfirmed
OctoberRiyadh Season opens (runs into winter)RiyadhExpected
OctoberTürkiye Republic Day (Oct 29)TürkiyeConfirmed
NovemberAbu Dhabi International Boat Show; Frieze Abu DhabiAbu DhabiExpected
NovemberDubai Design Week; DP World Tour Championship (golf)DubaiExpected
NovemberCityscape GlobalRiyadhExpected
NovemberWRC Rally Saudi Arabia (season finale)Jeddah regionExpected
NovemberDubai Airshow (odd years)Dubai World CentralExpected
November onwardIslamic Arts Biennale (odd years)Western Hajj Terminal, JeddahExpected
November–DecemberQatar Grand Prix (Formula 1)Lusail, QatarExpected
November–DecemberMarrakech, Cairo and Doha film festivals; Red Sea International Film FestivalMarrakech, Cairo, Doha, JeddahExpected
NovemberMorocco Independence Day (Nov 18); Oman National Day (Nov 20, often shifted)Morocco; OmanConfirmed
DecemberAbu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula 1)Yas Marina CircuitExpected
DecemberMDLBEAST SoundstormRiyadhExpected
December–JanuaryDubai Shopping FestivalDubaiExpected
DecemberUAE Eid Al Etihad (Dec 2–3); Bahrain National Day (Dec 16–17); Qatar National Day (Dec 18)UAE; Bahrain; QatarConfirmed
During the yearFIVB Men's Volleyball World ChampionshipQatarTo be confirmed
During the yearUCI Track Cycling World ChampionshipsAbu DhabiTo be confirmed
During the yearFIFA Arab CupQatarTo be confirmed
During the yearFIFA U-17 World Cup (Qatar) and U-17 Women's World Cup (Morocco), final editions of the current hosting runQatar; MoroccoTo be confirmed
To be confirmedDecision on the 2036 Olympic host (Qatar and Türkiye are interested)International Olympic CommitteeTo be confirmed
To be confirmedTurkish Grand Prix (Formula 1)Istanbul ParkExpected

Ramadan, Eid and holiday

Ramadan, Eid and holiday dates in 2029

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.

Holiday2029 dateWhat it means for visitors
Ramadan (approximate)January 16 – February 13Shorter business hours, daytime dining mostly in hotels, memorable iftar evenings
Eid al-Fitr (approximate)February 14Three to five days of closures and peak regional travel; book early
Day of Arafah (approximate)April 23Hajj season: Makkah open to pilgrims only, Saudi flights very full
Hajj (approximate)April 22–27Saudi hotels and flights heavily booked
Eid al-Adha (approximate)April 24Long public holiday across the Arab world; Türkiye often extends to nine days
Islamic New Year (approximate)May 14Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Mawlid (approximate)July 24Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Passover (Israel)March 31 – April 6Busy domestic travel week; some services reduced
Rosh Hashanah (Israel)September 10–11New Year holiday; many businesses close
Yom Kippur (Israel)September 19The country stops: no traffic, Ben Gurion Airport closes for the day
Sukkot (Israel)September 24 – October 1Festive week, hotels in demand

Biggest events of 2029

The biggest events of 2029

Three world titles in the Gulf. Qatar is due to host the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship and the FIFA Arab Cup, and Abu Dhabi the UCI Track Cycling World Championships. Dates for all three are to be confirmed. Stay in Doha or Lusail, or on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

The 2036 Olympic decision. Doha and Istanbul are both bidding for the 2036 Summer Games, and the IOC expects to choose the host at its Session in mid-2029. Whatever the outcome, it will shape the next decade of building in the winning city.

The odd-year art circuit. The Sharjah Biennial (January to June), the Istanbul Biennial (autumn) and the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah (from November) are all expected, along with the Dubai Airshow in November. See art galleries and auction houses.

Formula 1. All five regional races remain under contract in 2029; dates follow the official calendar. Read the Formula 1 Middle East guide.

Where to stay in 2029

Four Seasons Hotel Doha

★★★★★ West Bay, Doha

A West Bay classic with a private beach and marina, close to Doha's arenas.

Official site ↗

Raffles Doha

★★★★★ Katara Towers, Lusail

All-suite hotel in the Katara Towers at Lusail, with butler service and sweeping sea views.

Official site ↗

W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

★★★★★ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Directly over the Yas Marina Circuit, a natural base for Abu Dhabi's sporting weeks.

Official site ↗

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus

★★★★★ Beşiktaş, Istanbul

A restored Ottoman mansion on the Bosphorus waterfront, ideal for the Istanbul Biennial.

Official site ↗

Shangri-La Jeddah

★★★★★ North Corniche, Jeddah

On the North Corniche with Red Sea views, well placed for the Islamic Arts Biennale.

Official site ↗

Events, property

Events, property and the years around it

Doha's bid for 2036 keeps attention on Qatar's property market; see Qatar Luxury Real Estate at The Pearl. Continue to events in 2028 and events in 2030.

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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