Saudi Arabia is Katching the Holiday Spirit with These Must-Visit Festive Celebrations

1st December, 2025 | Food and Beverage, Hospitality

by - Beth Laverty

The Kingdom is embracing all the warmth and magic of the holidays with sparkling decorations, festive-themed dining, exclusive staycations, and epic New Year’s Eve parties

Majestic trees, roast turkeys, and jolly elves haven’t always been a common sight in Saudi Arabia, but celebrating the holiday season is certainly becoming more popular in recent years. While the holy month and occasions such as Eid Al Adha and Saudi National Day remain the biggest holidays in the nation’s calendar, a mix of Vision 2030’s cultural shifts and expats bringing their own traditions from home has made the season’s celebrations a lot more widespread. Bright festive decorations fill shopping malls, hotels host holiday gatherings, restaurants serve seasonal treats, and New Year’s Eve wraps it all up with lively countdowns.

If you’re looking for ways to embrace festive traditions in the Kingdom or simply curious to see what all the fuss is about, check out these exciting holiday happenings:

Winter Staycation

Opening this December, Rixos Murjana is set to become Saudi Arabia’s largest all-inclusive resort, unveiling a world of dining, wellness, entertainment, and endless adventures. Spend the festive season exploring everything this dynamic resort has to offer and be among some of the first guests to experience its unparalleled service and world-class amenities. Designed to cater to every kind of traveller, settle into a Maldivian-inspired overwater villa for a highly personalised escape or retreat to one of 488 elegantly appointed rooms and suites.

After check-in, begin your staycation by enjoying vibrant live entertainment or joining an expert-led fitness class at the renowned Exclusive Sports Club, perfect for burning off all the festive treats. Guests of all ages can dive into the fun at the Murjana Water Park, featuring 11 slides and three pools, while little ones play the day away at one of the Kingdom’s largest kids’ clubs. When it’s time to relax, relish a signature treatment at Anjana Spa, take a dip in the expansive infinity pool, stroll along the 600-metre private beach, and explore several diverse restaurants.

Dining Delights

Nothing screams the holidays quite like tucking into copious amounts of food with loved ones, and this December, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre is cooking up something extra special. Bringing a taste of seasonal traditions to the capital, Café Boulud will be hosting an extra jolly brunch elevated by Chef Daniel Boulud’s signature touch. Diners enjoy mountains of all-time favourites with a lavish buffet including smoked salmon, roasted turkey, succulent ribeye, decadent Yule log, and spiced gingerbread cookies.

Alternatively, head to chic modern trattoria Cucina for an unmissable chef collaboration on December 7th. Created by six world-class Italian chefs, the multi-course tasting menu features timeless seasonal delicacies that showcase the pinnacle of the country’s culinary mastery. Come hungry and savour highlights such as Chef Derflingher’s recreation of his signature King Charles Risotto, a royal favourite crafted with Carnaroli rice, Gran Vittoria Bassi Gorgonzola DOP, and black truffle.

Diners can also look forward to Braised Beef Cheek, paired with creamy potato purée and a spiced red grape reduction for a dash of festive flair, and the creamy Apennine mixed mushroom soup topped with Parmesan foam, toasted bread, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Those with a sweet tooth will also be well catered to with an indulgent selection of cannoli, cream puffs, chocolate cookies, and almond biscuits specially curated by master pastry chef and chocolatier Massimo Tavoletta.

New Year’s Eve in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia never does anything in half measures, and this New Year’s Eve, the capital will be at the centre of all the dazzling festivities. To soak up the buzzing energy, head to Boulevard Riyadh City to take part in this year’s countdown and catch the most spectacular fireworks display, turning the night sky into a masterpiece of glittering colours. Across the city, the Kingdom Centre and the King Abdulaziz Historical Centre will also have their own displays, giving everyone a chance to catch a glimpse of the main event.

Over in Riyadh’s JAX District, Beast House is turning up the volume for White Out, the city’s biggest New Year’s Eve extravaganza. Combining the drama of Tulum’s New Year’s rituals with the elegance of a 1950s Parisian speakeasy, the all-white, all-night celebration is taking the evening to new heights. At the door, guests are greeted by a shiny 1930s Cadillac, white velvet ropes, and a team of tuxedoed hosts who open the curtain to a glamorous penthouse playground wrapped in white.

To fuel the revelry, the party begins with a selection of tempting small plates and bubbly-themed mocktails served from vintage cocktail trolleys. Guests can groove their way through the night with a dynamic soundtrack of world-renowned DJs and electrifying R’n’B beats by DJ Serena. At the stroke of midnight, snowfall and a flurry of white balloons take over, kicking off 2026 in the most magical fashion.

No matter how or where you choose to spend the holidays, make sure to make time for loved ones (and lots of delicious food, of course). With so much to see and do across the Kingdom, it’s already shaping up to be a very merry festive season. All that’s left to do is to pick out your ugliest holiday jumper or dazzling New Year’s Eve outfit and let yourself be swept up in the magic of the holidays.

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