Food festivals have become a winter staple across the region, and now Saudi Arabia has added a new one worth noting. The Ithra Food Festival has officially opened at the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture in Dhahran, marking the venue’s first-ever event dedicated entirely to food.
Running until Saturday, January 3, the festival takes over part of Ithra’s outdoor gardens. The setting is open, relaxed, and designed for slow evenings rather than rushed visits. Entry is free, which makes it easy for families, groups of friends, and travellers passing through the Eastern Province.
For those familiar with Dubai’s seasonal food pop-ups and open-air dining events, the atmosphere feels familiar. Casual, well-organised, and built around experience rather than scale.
A Food Festival Built Around Experience, Not Just Eating
What sets the Ithra Food Festival apart is its focus on participation. This is not just about grabbing a plate and moving on. The festival blends live cooking, workshops, and cultural storytelling, all within Ithra’s landscaped grounds.
The event forms part of Ithra Winter, a long-running seasonal programme that brings arts, culture, and community events together under one umbrella. Food fits naturally into that mix, especially when paired with learning-based activities.
Visitors can walk through food stations, watch chefs at work, and even sign up to cook themselves. It is the kind of format that works well in the Gulf during winter, similar to how Dubai combines dining with outdoor entertainment during the cooler months.
Chef-Led Workshops Take Centre Stage
A major highlight of the Ithra Food Festival is its culinary workshops, listed as “culinary experiences” on the official programme. These are hands-on sessions aimed at people who want to understand how dishes are prepared, not just how they taste.
Four popular dishes are featured:
- Tacos
- Pizza
- Steak
- Sushi
Each dish runs for three days, spread across the festival’s two-week schedule. The workshops take place in open kitchens inside the food area, allowing participants to learn directly from professional chefs. The sessions are powered by Filmmaster and focus on technique, preparation, and flavour balance.
Tickets for workshops start from SAR 50, while access to the festival itself remains free. For many visitors, especially home cooks and food enthusiasts, this offers a practical takeaway rather than just a one-night experience.
Global Cuisines Served Across Food Stations
Beyond the workshops, the festival features 10 food stations, each representing a different cuisine. The selection reflects both regional favourites and international comfort food, making it suitable for mixed crowds.
Cuisines on offer include:
- Saudi
- Indian
- Egyptian
- Mexican
- Japanese
- Asian
- Persian
- Australian
- Italian
- American
- Lebanese
The variety mirrors the multicultural dining scene seen across cities like Dubai, where global food is part of everyday life. It also makes the festival accessible, especially for families with different tastes.
Food Carts Add a Street-Style Touch
Adding to the casual feel are several food carts scattered across the venue. These carts focus on quick bites, desserts, and drinks, making them ideal for grazing throughout the evening.
Food carts include:
- Sculpture
- La Dedos
- Legend
- Whoa Tea
- Crepes Des Alpes
- Taco Ville
- Witchcraft
- Mama Nini
- Pattis
- Saje
Visitors are encouraged to walk around, sample different stalls, and take their time. The layout supports that slow, open-air style of dining that has become popular across winter festivals in the region.
When and Where to Visit
The Ithra Food Festival is taking place at:
King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra), Dhahran
Dates: Until Saturday, January 3
Timings: 4:00pm to 11:30pm
Entry: Free
Work
Evening timings make it ideal for after-work plans, while weekends are better suited for longer visits. The open layout helps avoid the crowded feel that larger food festivals sometimes have.
Part of the Wider Ithra Winter Season
The food festival is one of many events under Ithra Winter, which runs until January 31, 2026. Over this period, Ithra is hosting more than 130 programmes covering art, architecture, film, design, heritage, and youth-focused experiences.
Visitors can combine the food festival with exhibitions or performances happening on the same day. This makes it more than just a food stop and turns it into a full evening out, similar to cultural districts across the UAE where dining and entertainment go hand in hand.
Ithra Food Festival Is Worth Attention
The Ithra Food Festival feels well-timed and well-planned. It does not try to be overwhelming. Instead, it focuses on quality, learning, and comfort. Free entry lowers the barrier, while paid workshops add value for those who want more.
For Gulf residents used to Dubai’s busy food calendars, this festival offers a quieter but thoughtful alternative. It reflects how food events in the region are shifting towards experience-driven formats rather than just volume.
The Ithra Food Festival adds a strong culinary layer to Saudi Arabia’s winter cultural calendar. With global flavours, chef-led workshops, and a relaxed outdoor setting, it offers a complete experience rather than a quick visit.
For those looking for things to do, following local news, planning travel, or keeping up with food and lifestyle trends across the region, this festival is one to note.
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