Abha Festival

Abha Festival

Six weeks in July-August

Situated in the mountains and blessed with mild weather in an otherwise harsh climate, the city of Adha, Saudi Arabia, is also a popular tourist attraction that boasts amusement parks, a shopping district, and a hotel industry. The Abha Festival, which lasts about six weeks, was established in 1998 to help sustain the city's appeal among tourists. In past years, over 1.5 million visitors have traveled to the city and attended the festival's sports competitions, religious activities, and concerts featuring Arab pop stars. The concert series, which has the distinction of being Saudi Arabia's first public music event, first took place during the inaugural Adha Festival.
The summer festival's main event has consistently been the music program. Its performers cater to younger Saudis, who have been the target audience over the years. Other youth-oriented activities include sailing competitions, horse racing, and soccer.
Addressing general anxieties about the negative impact of popular culture on young festival-goers, organizers ensure the program maintains moral standards by coordinating with officials of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

CONTACTS:
Saudi Arabia Embassy
601 New Hampshire Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
202-337-4076; fax: 202-944-5983
www.saudiembassy.net