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Events Calendar

Middle East Events 2030: World Cup, Expo and Asian Games

Middle East events in 2030 add up to a landmark year: the FIFA World Cup comes to Morocco in June, Expo 2030 Riyadh opens in October, and the Asian Games are scheduled for Doha in November. It is also the target year of Saudi Vision 2030 and several other national plans, so expect a wave of openings.

Updated

Latest from the Calendar · Updated 10/24/2026

Latest for 2030

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

At a glance

Events 2030 at a glance

Headline
FIFA World Cup, Morocco, Jun 13 – Jul 21
Ramadan (approximate)
January 5 – February 3, and again from December 26
Eid al-Fitr (approximate)
February 4
Eid al-Adha (approximate)
April 13
Calendar status
Recurring events listed as Expected

Middle East events 2030

Middle East events 2030 at a glance

For 2030, 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 early January to early February, and the next Ramadan begins around December 26, so two Ramadans touch this calendar year.

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 Riyadh skyline at dusk, with the Kingdom Centre and Al Faisaliah towers lit against a violet sky.
Photo: B.alotaby · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Major events in 2030

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

MonthEventPlaceStatus
JanuaryDakar RallySaudi ArabiaTo be confirmed
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–FebruaryAlUla Moments winter season and Bahrain Spring of CultureAlUla; BahrainExpected
FebruaryQatar National Sport Day (Feb 12)QatarConfirmed
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
June–JulyFIFA World Cup, with Spain and Portugal (main tournament Jun 13 – Jul 21)Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Fez, AgadirConfirmed
JuneMawazine, Gnaoua and Fes Sacred Music festivalsRabat, Essaouira, FesExpected
JulyEsports World CupRiyadhExpected
July–AugustJerash Festival; Dubai Summer SurprisesJordan; DubaiExpected
SeptemberSaudi National Day (Sep 23)Saudi ArabiaConfirmed
OctoberExpo 2030 Riyadh opens (Oct 1, 2030 – Mar 31, 2031)RiyadhConfirmed
OctoberRiyadh Season opens (runs into winter)RiyadhExpected
OctoberTürkiye Republic Day (Oct 29)TürkiyeConfirmed
NovemberAsian Games (scheduled Nov 4–19; timing to be confirmed)DohaTo be confirmed
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
NovemberBahrain International Airshow (even years)Sakhir, BahrainExpected
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
DecemberMEBAA Show, business aviation (even years)DubaiExpected
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
To be confirmedTurkish Grand Prix (Formula 1)Istanbul ParkExpected

Ramadan, Eid and holiday

Ramadan, Eid and holiday dates in 2030

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.

Holiday2030 dateWhat it means for visitors
Ramadan (approximate)January 5 – February 3, and again from December 26Shorter business hours, daytime dining mostly in hotels, memorable iftar evenings
Eid al-Fitr (approximate)February 4Three to five days of closures and peak regional travel; book early
Day of Arafah (approximate)April 12Hajj season: Makkah open to pilgrims only, Saudi flights very full
Hajj (approximate)April 11–16Saudi hotels and flights heavily booked
Eid al-Adha (approximate)April 13Long public holiday across the Arab world; Türkiye often extends to nine days
Islamic New Year (approximate)May 3Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Mawlid (approximate)July 13Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Passover (Israel)April 18–24Busy domestic travel week; some services reduced
Rosh Hashanah (Israel)September 28–29New Year holiday; many businesses close
Yom Kippur (Israel)October 7The country stops: no traffic, Ben Gurion Airport closes for the day
Sukkot (Israel)October 12–19Festive week, hotels in demand

Biggest events of 2030

The biggest events of 2030

FIFA World Cup, June 13 – July 21. Morocco co-hosts with Spain and Portugal, the first World Cup in North Africa since the tournament began. Moroccan matches are planned for Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Fez and Agadir. The centerpiece is the Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca, planned for about 115,000 seats; the final's venue, Casablanca or Madrid, is still to be decided. Centenary matches are also planned in South America on June 8–9.

Expo 2030 Riyadh, October 1, 2030 – March 31, 2031. Under the theme Foresight for Tomorrow, the six-month world's fair opens in Riyadh. Read more on our Expo 2030 and World Cup 2034 page and the wider Saudi Vision 2030 giga-projects.

Asian Games, Doha. Asia's biggest multi-sport event is scheduled for November 4–19, 2030, in Doha; the timing may move to 2031, so treat it as to be confirmed.

Formula 1. 2030 is the final year of the current Saudi and Abu Dhabi race contracts; renewals have not been announced, so those races are listed as Expected for 2030 only.

Where to stay in 2030

Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca

★★★★★ Anfa Corniche, Casablanca

On the Anfa Corniche, a polished base for World Cup matches in Casablanca.

Official site ↗

Royal Mansour Casablanca

★★★★★ City center, Casablanca

The Royal Mansour's city address, with spacious suites in central Casablanca.

Official site ↗

Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr

★★★★★ Oceanfront, Rabat

An oceanfront palace beside the Kasbah in the capital, convenient for Rabat's matches.

Official site ↗

La Mamounia

★★★★★ Medina, Marrakech

Marrakech's legendary hotel and gardens, a classic World Cup stay.

Official site ↗

Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre

★★★★★ Olaya, Riyadh

A Riyadh landmark in the Kingdom Centre tower, with the city at its feet for Expo.

Official site ↗

Raffles Doha

★★★★★ Katara Towers, Lusail

All-suite luxury at Lusail for the Asian Games.

Official site ↗

Events, property

Events, property and the years around it

World Cups and Expos reshape cities. For buyers, see Morocco property and Marrakech villas and Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate and premium residency. Continue to events in 2029 and events in 2031.

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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Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.