There’s a certain calm that settles over cities during Ramadan nights. Streets soften, conversations slow down, and evenings stretch longer than usual. In Jeddah, that atmosphere finds a natural home at Hayy Jameel, where Ramadan Nights: Hakawati Hayy returns for its third edition, running from February 25 to March 15.
This isn’t a loud festival or a commercial Ramadan fair. It feels more like a living space that slowly comes alive after Iftar. Families drift in with children in tow. Groups of friends settle into corners. Creatives mingle with neighbours. The lights glow softly, and the evening unfolds without pressure to rush. That’s the rhythm of Ramadan Nights — unforced, human, and rooted in community.
For visitors from across the region — including UAE residents who travel for cultural experiences — Ramadan Nights offers something refreshingly different. It’s not about spectacle. It’s about atmosphere.
A modern take on ancient storytelling
At the heart of the programme is Hakawati — the traditional Arab storyteller. But here, it’s not presented as something distant or formal. Instead, the concept is reimagined through puppetry, shadow play, live performances, workshops and interactive spaces that feel approachable for all ages.
The programme draws inspiration from Hejaz folktales, shared traditions, and generational storytelling, blending old narratives with modern creative formats. Delivered in collaboration with the Arab Puppet Theatre Foundation, the experience brings together local artists, performers, makers and community groups who understand how to translate heritage into something people actually want to engage with.
Nothing feels staged. Children don’t just watch — they participate. Adults don’t just observe — they sit, talk, create and connect. The storytelling flows naturally into conversation, food, play and shared moments.
This is what gives Ramadan Nights its character. It doesn’t feel like an event you attend. It feels like a space you belong to for the evening.
How the three-week programme unfolds?
Week One: February 25 – March 1
The opening week is the most immersive and culturally rich. Expect:
- Puppet displays and live performances
- Storytelling and shadow play sessions
- Hands-on workshops and masterclasses
- Cultural talks and discussions
- Children’s activities and games
- Late-night dining across Hayy Jameel
This is the week that sets the tone — layered, creative, and deeply community-focused.
Week Two: March 5 – 7
The programme continues with:
- Storytelling workshops
- Community discussions
- Interactive games
- Food and beverage experiences featuring local Jeddah bakeries
It feels more intimate. More social. The kind of evenings where conversations stretch longer than planned.
Final Week: Until March 15
The closing phase shifts into a relaxed social rhythm:
- Game nights with JED Board Games
- Open social spaces
- Local and fusion eateries
- Community activations across Hayy Jameel
By this point, the space feels familiar — less like a venue, more like a gathering place.
Timings: 9:30pm to 2am on event days
Children’s activities that go beyond entertainment
One of the most thoughtful elements of Ramadan Nights is the children’s programme at Hayy Explorers. Designed for kids aged five to 15, it runs from 10:30pm to 1:30am, giving families a real reason to stay longer.
Children take part in:
- Interactive story readings
- Creative craft workshops
- Ornament making
- Geometric pattern design
- Puppet-making sessions
- Drawing and storytelling activities
There are no screens. No noise overload. Just calm creativity, guided play, and storytelling that keeps young minds engaged while adults enjoy the wider space.
Lifestyle touches that feel natural, not forced
Adding a modern layer to the cultural programme is the Longchamp pop-up, bringing a lifestyle element into the Ramadan Nights experience. Instead of a typical retail setup, it feels woven into the space — casual, open, and unpressured.
People wander in, browse, talk, and move on. No hard selling. No rush. Just another layer of the evening’s atmosphere.
It’s a reminder that modern Ramadan spaces don’t have to choose between culture and lifestyle — they can coexist naturally.
Ramadan Nights at Hayy Jamee
Ramadan Nights at Hayy Jameel reflects a wider cultural shift happening across the region. Ramadan programming is no longer just about events — it’s about experiences. Spaces that allow people to gather, stay, connect and slow down.
For UAE audiences, it mirrors the evolution of Ramadan experiences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where community, culture, food, art and family experiences now blend into one evening flow.
It’s not about entertainment. It’s about presence.
Event details
- Event: Ramadan Nights: Hakawati Hayy
- Location: Hayy Jameel, Al Muhammadiyah District, Jeddah
- Dates: February 25 to March 15
- Timings: 9:30 pm to 2 am
- Children’s programme: 10:30 pm to 1:30 am
From puppetry and storytelling to children’s workshops, late-night dining and relaxed social spaces, Ramadan Nights: Hakawati Hayy offers a softer, more human way to experience Ramadan evenings in Jeddah. It’s calm without being quiet. Creative without being overwhelming. Social without being crowded.
It’s the kind of place where you arrive for an hour — and stay for three.
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