On June 25, the city of Jeddah will welcome residents and visitors to the 20th edition of its iconic Summer Festival, which lasts 30 days and offers attendees a myriad of fun and memorable options. The month-long event is organized by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), along with the participation of 10 major shopping centers.
During the festival, people will get to choose from a selection of 50 cultural and entertainment activities including theater performances, folk art, maritime shows, shopping activities, poetry evenings, and sports events. In addition, festivalgoers will be able to compete for 500 prizes worth SR1 million (over 266 million US dollars) and draws on various other prizes.
In addition, for the first time ever, this year’s festival will host a friendly basketball tournament for people with special needs, broadcast the FIFA World Cup games, feature an air village, and hold cultural activities related to women driving cars such as “Hayya Nasouq” (Let’s Drive).
Speaking to Arab News, JCCI Secretary-General Hassan bin Ibrahim Dahlan explained that the festival was one of the most important ones in the region. He pointed out that the JCCI, with its experience in managing festivals and events, has benefited from international experiences for investing in a Saudi tourism product.
“This year, we have focused on attracting visitors and families from inside and outside the Kingdom through a series of activities that satisfy all tastes at the Jeddah Corniche, at shopping malls, and across Jeddah,” Dahlan explained.
“The event has succeeded in establishing Jeddah as an international tourist destination with its tourism boom and high annual hotel occupancy rate, owing to the developed and innovative Saudi tourism products provided,” he continued.
Last year’s edition of the month-long festivities was expected to attract one million visitors in total, with around 50,000 visitors expected per day.
