Jeddah Book Fair

معرض جدة للكتاب

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Arts & CultureJeddah
DatesDates TBA · Usually DecemberCheck locally before booking
Duration10 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsLaunched relatively recently compared to its
Language["ar"]Currency: SAR
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Jeddah Book Fair in Jeddah

The Jeddah International Book Fair is Saudi Arabia's second-largest book fair after Riyadh's, first held in 2015 and usually staged each December at the Events Land site in South Obhur, Jeddah, aiming to support the kingdom's growing domestic publishing industry alongside folklore performances staged by expatriate community groups.

Jeddah has always been Saudi Arabia's most outward-facing city, the historic gateway for pilgrims arriving by sea to Mecca and a port shaped for centuries by traders and travelers from across the Islamic world.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Launched relatively recently compared to its long-running Riyadh counterpart, the Jeddah fair has grown quickly into the country's second-largest, positioned explicitly by local officials, including Jeddah's governor, as a tool for supporting the domestic publishing movement rather than only importing regional titles

02

The mystery stays covered

Its South Obhur venue and December timing put it outside the main Riyadh fair's calendar slot, giving publishers and readers in the Western Province, the Hejaz, a dedicated event of their own

03

The city starts moving

Sidelined gallery exhibitions and folklore performances by expatriate community groups living in Saudi Arabia add a cultural dimension beyond book sales, reflecting Jeddah's history as the kingdom's most cosmopolitan port city

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The fair folds folklore performances by Saudi Arabia's expatriate communities into its book-fair format

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a reflection of Jeddah's long history as the gateway port for pilgrims and traders from across the Islamic world

The sacred route

Living ritual

giving the event a more explicitly multicultural character than book fairs held in more homogenous Saudi cities

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually December

Getting around

For Jeddah Book Fair, plan transport around the exact Jeddah venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Modest dress suited to an indoor exhibition venue: covered shoulders and knees for women, long trousers for men, with a light layer for air-conditioned halls even during Jeddah's humid...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Jeddah Book Fair, stay near the part of Jeddah you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["ar"] · SAR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map21.49 N, 39.19 EOpen in Google Maps

Jeddah, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia

Nearest airportJED — King Abdulaziz
TransportFor Jeddah Book Fair, plan transport around the exact Jeddah venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Jeddah Book Fair, stay near the part of Jeddah you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Jeddah via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Jeddah, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for December.Compare faresFestival gearModest dress suited to an indoor exhibition venue: covered shoulders and knees for women, long trousers for men, with a light layer for air-conditioned halls even during Jeddah's humid December evenings.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Saudi Arabia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Jeddah Book Fair?

Jeddah Book Fair is listed for Past edition: 11–20 December 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Jeddah Book Fair take place?

The festival is listed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

10 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Jeddah, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLvisitsaudi.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually December
Source statusOfficial source linked
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