Saudi Arabia is set to launch a major new family-friendly attraction this month, bringing the region’s love for outdoor sports and seaside lifestyle into a single large-scale celebration. Ramliyah, the Saudi family beach sports festival, will take place from November 25 to 29 at AlUqair Beach in Al-Ahsa. The event is the first of its kind in the Kingdom, transforming a historic coastline into a lively destination for sports tournaments, entertainment, wellness and community activities.
For many families in the GCC, the cooler months are the ideal time to spend more time outdoors. Dubai residents are familiar with weekends by the sea, whether that means volleyball at Kite Beach, walks on The Beach at JBR or community sporting events at Al Mamzar. Ramliyah aims to offer a similar environment, but with a distinct Saudi feel rooted in local culture, community participation and national pride.
A festival dedicated to family, fitness and fun
The five-day festival focuses on getting people of all ages moving, participating and inclusively enjoying sport. AlUqair Beach will be transformed into a dynamic event space featuring a mix of tournaments, casual sports, open activities and social spaces. Organised with support from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the festival will host competitive matches in soccer, handball and volleyball for men and women.
These matches are expected to draw teams and community groups from across the Eastern Province and other regions. Winners will be awarded medals and cash prizes worth more than SAR200,000, giving competitors a strong incentive to bring their best performance. The tournament setup encourages participation instead of simply watching from the stands, making the festival feel more like a community celebration than a traditional sporting event.
This approach mirrors a wider shift happening across the region. Gulf audiences have become increasingly engaged in grassroots sports as cities invest in community spaces, from Dubai’s neighbourhood parks to bike paths, waterfront jogging tracks and open gym zones. Ramliyah fits into that growing appetite for active experiences.
More than matches: a festival vibe by the water
While the tournaments are at the heart of the event, Ramliyah has been designed to offer far more than scheduled matches. The beachfront site will feature a range of themed areas with something for every type of visitor.
The Fan Zone will create a lively atmosphere with interactive beach games and activations suitable for children, teens and adults. Families can spend hours in this zone without feeling like they have to follow strict event timings.
The Wellness Zone adds a calmer element to the festival, with yoga, group workouts and fitness classes held against the backdrop of the coastline. As more people across the Gulf focus on fitness and lifestyle improvement, they expect these open-air sessions to achieve popularity, especially during sunset hours.
Food is also a major part of the outdoor experience. The festival will include a dedicated dining area serving a range of cuisines. For many families, this turns a regular visit into a full-day outing where everyone can eat, relax, explore and join activities at their own pace. With live music and entertainment planned throughout the event, Ramliyah aims to bring a sense of festival energy similar to the community-led experiences Dubai residents see at weekend pop-ups in JLT Park or beachfront events across the city.
Sports For All initiative brings youth into the spotlight
One of the most significant additions to Ramliyah is the debut of the Sports For All (SFA) Active Program for visitors under 18. This initiative focuses on promoting teamwork, building confidence and encouraging a more active lifestyle among younger participants. Children and teenagers will have access to supervised activities, games and fitness challenges designed to help them move, learn and build new skills.
In a region where digital entertainment has become a daily habit for many young people, these types of programmes offer a welcome alternative. They bring sports back into young people’s lives and give families a shared activity outside the home. With events like this taking place in an outdoor setting, it reinforces the idea that physical activity can be enjoyable rather than something that feels like a weekly routine.
A milestone event aligned with national goals
Ramliyah is being held with the patronage of HRH Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr Al Saud, Governor of Al-Ahsa. The event aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly the goal of building a healthier, more active society.
By choosing a public coastal location and offering free general admission, the festival removes typical barriers to participation and ensures that families from different backgrounds can attend. Organisers will require registration for entry and for competing in tournaments, while free shuttle buses will operate from Al Khobar and Al Hofuf to improve accessibility.
Events like Ramliyah are likely to become more common as the Kingdom invests further in recreation spaces, community wellbeing and family-friendly tourism. The festival is also expected to bring attention to AlUqair Beach itself, a historic waterfront destination that could benefit from new tourism interest in the coming years.
Practical details and what visitors should know
The festival will be open daily from 2pm to 10pm, making the most of the late afternoon breeze and evening weather. Families planning to visit can expect a mix of structured and drop-in activities, with plenty of space for spectators and socialising. Guests may want to bring sunscreen, comfortable shoes and beach-friendly clothing as they explore the different zones and open activities.
A new outdoor tradition in the making
Ramliyah has the potential to become a signature annual event for the Eastern Province and a highlight of the national events calendar. If successful, it could set the foundation for more beachfront festivals, outdoor sporting initiatives and public activations in Saudi Arabia—similar to the seasonal community programmes that have become part of life in Dubai’s cooler months.
With beaches, sports, music, wellness and family experiences coming together in one space, the festival captures the region’s growing appetite for accessible outdoor recreation and meaningful leisure time.
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