Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
In a city that is growing and changing quickly, the Noor Riyadh festival has become a major cultural landmark, helping Riyadh shine on the global arts map. The festival combines Saudi and international experiences through a universal language—light. By opening public spaces to art, Riyadh has turned light into a modern medium that connects the city’s heritage with its rapidly evolving present and promising future.
Launched in 2021 by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Riyadh Art Program, Noor Riyadh created a new approach to public-space art. The festival uses immersive light installations and accompanying programs to bring art closer to the public, integrating creativity into daily life across the city.
Over four previous editions, Noor Riyadh has significantly influenced Riyadh’s urban and artistic landscape, establishing the city as a global destination for contemporary art. The festival has transformed multiple locations into open creative spaces and attracted more than 9.6 million visitors since 2021, showing strong community engagement and global recognition.
Across 68 days of artistic activities and nine months of exhibitions, Noor Riyadh has presented over 450 light installations by 365 artists from Saudi Arabia and abroad. This makes the festival one of the largest platforms for light art worldwide. The wide variety of artistic styles has helped visitors appreciate different forms of expression and encouraged ongoing creative dialogue within the community.
Public programs are a key part of the festival’s success. More than 6,240 cultural activities have been organized, targeting all segments of society. These programs raise awareness about the arts, invite participation from residents, students, and hobbyists, and create spaces where people can experience creativity first-hand.
Internationally, Noor Riyadh has achieved 16 Guinness World Records, strengthening Riyadh’s reputation as a global center for light art and creative innovation. Thousands of international visitors, including curators, artists, and experts in art and technology, have attended the festival, turning Riyadh into a hub for creative discussion and knowledge exchange.
The fifth edition of Noor Riyadh in 2025, themed “In the Blink of an Eye,” continues to expand the festival’s reach. It features works that explore movement, time, and connection, reflecting the city’s fast-paced transformation. Art installations are spread across six main locations, linking historic areas of Riyadh with modern pathways, including key metro stations that now enhance the city’s urban experience.
In just five years, Noor Riyadh has become more than a festival—it is a full artistic project that strengthens the connection between residents, visitors, and the city itself. Each edition broadens the circle of light and diversity of experiences, creating shared memories and reinforcing Riyadh’s identity as a city that celebrates art in everyday life.
Through the Riyadh Art initiative, Noor Riyadh continues to grow as a vibrant destination for contemporary arts, making Riyadh a global city of light and creativity. Every year, the festival reflects the city’s ambition, culture, and commitment to art, helping Riyadh shine brighter on the international stage.
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