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Events Calendar

Middle East Events 2034: Saudi Arabia's World Cup Year

Middle East events in 2034 revolve around the FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia, with matches planned in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Abha (the bid also named NEOM as a fifth host city; its stadium plans are being reviewed). Riyadh is also set to host the Asian Games, and the region's recurring luxury calendar continues around them.

Updated

At a glance

Events 2034 at a glance

Headline
FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia (dates TBC)
Ramadan (approximate)
November 12 – December 11
Eid al-Fitr (approximate)
December 12
Eid al-Adha (approximate)
March 1
Calendar status
Recurring events listed as Expected

Middle East events 2034

Middle East events 2034 at a glance

For 2034, 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 is expected from about November 12 to December 11, with Eid al-Fitr around December 12.

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 floodlit bowl and tented canopy of King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh during an evening match.
Photo: على المزارقه · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Major events in 2034

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
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)To be confirmed
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
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
NovemberBahrain International Airshow (even years)Sakhir, BahrainExpected
November–DecemberQatar Grand Prix (Formula 1)Lusail, QatarTo be confirmed
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 CircuitTo be confirmed
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
Dates to be confirmedFIFA World CupRiyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, AbhaTo be confirmed
Dates to be confirmedAsian Games (may move to 2035)RiyadhTo be confirmed

Ramadan, Eid and holiday

Ramadan, Eid and holiday dates in 2034

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.

Holiday2034 dateWhat it means for visitors
Ramadan (approximate)November 12 – December 11Shorter business hours, daytime dining mostly in hotels, memorable iftar evenings
Eid al-Fitr (approximate)December 12Three to five days of closures and peak regional travel; book early
Day of Arafah (approximate)February 28Hajj season: Makkah open to pilgrims only, Saudi flights very full
Hajj (approximate)February 27 – March 4Saudi hotels and flights heavily booked
Eid al-Adha (approximate)March 1Long public holiday across the Arab world; Türkiye often extends to nine days
Islamic New Year (approximate)March 21Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Mawlid (approximate)May 30Public holiday in several countries (not Saudi Arabia or Qatar)
Passover (Israel)April 4–10Busy domestic travel week; some services reduced
Rosh Hashanah (Israel)September 14–15New Year holiday; many businesses close
Yom Kippur (Israel)September 23The country stops: no traffic, Ben Gurion Airport closes for the day
Sukkot (Israel)September 28 – October 5Festive week, hotels in demand

Biggest events of 2034

The biggest events of 2034

FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom hosts the World Cup with host cities Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Abha. The King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh is expected to stage the final, and the stadium list is being finalized. FIFA has not yet set the dates; some reports point to early 2035. Read our Expo 2030 and World Cup 2034 page.

Asian Games, Riyadh. Riyadh is the host of the 2034 Asian Games; the edition may move to 2035, so dates are to be confirmed.

Motorsport. 2034 is the final year of the current WRC Rally Saudi Arabia agreement; the Bahrain Grand Prix remains under contract to 2036. See the Formula 1 Middle East guide.

Where to stay in 2034

Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre

★★★★★ Olaya, Riyadh

A Riyadh landmark in the Kingdom Centre tower, close to the capital's stadiums.

Official site ↗

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh

★★★★★ Riyadh

A palatial Riyadh hotel set in landscaped grounds.

Official site ↗

Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel

★★★★★ Diriyah, Riyadh

A heritage stay beside At-Turaif in Diriyah.

Official site ↗

Shangri-La Jeddah

★★★★★ North Corniche, Jeddah

North Corniche views for Jeddah's World Cup matches.

Official site ↗

The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah

★★★★★ Jeddah

A grand seafront hotel in Jeddah.

Official site ↗

Events, property

Events, property and the years around it

The World Cup build-out is reshaping Saudi cities; see Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate and premium residency and King Salman Park. Continue to events in 2033 and events in 2035.

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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