The Saudi winter season really starts when Riyadh and AlUla cool down enough for evenings outdoors, roughly late October through March. Those are also the most comfortable months for Umrah, so a lot of visitors ask: can I do Umrah and catch Riyadh Season or AlUla's winter nights on the same trip? Yes. This guide lays out the dates, the weather, and the logistics so you can plan with numbers rather than guesses.
Key winter 2026 event dates
Riyadh Season: opens October 21
The General Entertainment Authority opened Riyadh Season 2026 on Wednesday, October 21, with a ten-week program running to about the end of December. Boulevard World is back, Boulevard City reopens with new content, and Wonder Garden adds rides and family activities, alongside concerts, theater, comedy, and major sporting events. Most zones are evening venues, and tickets are sold through the official Riyadh Season app or Webook.
Winter at Tantora, AlUla: mid-December
Winter at Tantora usually runs from mid-December into early January. The Experience AlUla page lists 17 December 2026 to 9 January 2027, with Old Town Nights, Tantora Balconies, and the Manshiyah Carnival. The full program isn't officially out yet, so check the site before you book flights.
Diriyah Season
Last year's Diriyah Season opened in November and ran to the end of March. The 2026–2027 calendar hadn't been announced at the time of writing. If you're traveling in January or February you'll probably find events, but wait for the official schedule before building a full day around it.
Winter weather: every city is different
"Winter" means very different things across the Kingdom, and it's what visitors most often get wrong when packing. Rough January averages:
- Makkah: highs around 30°C, lows around 19°C. Warm by day; tawaf after Asr is comfortable.
- Madinah: highs around 24°C, lows around 12°C. Pleasant days, a little chilly after Isha.
- Riyadh: highs around 20°C, lows can drop below 10°C. Bring a jacket for evening events.
- AlUla: highs around 21°C, lows near 5°C in the desert night. A real coat, not a light layer.
In practice, if you're combining Makkah, Riyadh, and AlUla, pack light summer clothes for the Haram and warm layers for evenings in Riyadh and AlUla. Check upcoming forecasts in our weather planner, and month-by-month Umrah conditions in the best time for Umrah guide.
Umrah in winter: crowds and prices
Winter is peak Umrah season outside Ramadan, especially during mid-year school holidays from late December to mid-January in much of the Arab world. That means:
- Book your hotel early: rates near the Haram rise as the holidays approach. Compare options in our Makkah hotels by budget guide.
- Aim for weekdays: Thursdays and Fridays are busiest at both mosques; midweek tawaf after Fajr is calmer.
- Book the Rawdah ahead: Madinah slots go faster in winter. Steps are in our Nusuk app guide.
Does a tourist visa cover Umrah and the events?
In most cases, yes. The Saudi tourist eVisa lets Muslim visitors perform Umrah outside the Hajj season and of course covers events in Riyadh and AlUla, which makes it the natural choice for a combined trip. The Umrah visa is designed mainly for the pilgrimage. The differences and conditions are in Umrah visa requirements, and if you plan several trips a year, see our multiple-entry visa guide. Either way, you still need an Umrah permit through Nusuk.
Sample plan: 10 days of Umrah and events
A layout that balances worship, rest, and events. Shorten it or swap the order as you like:
- Days 1–4, Makkah: arrive via Jeddah, rest a day, then Umrah at a quiet time, with the remaining days for prayer at the Haram.
- Days 5–7, Madinah: the Haramain train from Makkah takes about two hours and fifteen minutes. Visit the Rawdah and the main sites. Train details are in our Haramain train guide, and a day-by-day plan in Madinah in 3 days.
- Days 8–10, Riyadh or AlUla: a domestic flight from Madinah to Riyadh for Riyadh Season evenings, or to AlUla if your dates match Winter at Tantora. AlUla is also about three and a half hours from Madinah by car.
Put Umrah at the start of the trip, not the end. If a flight slips or late nights at events wear you out, the most important part is already done.
Last tips before you book
- Buy event tickets after flights and hotel are fixed. Changing a concert date is easier than changing a Makkah hotel booking.
- Domestic flights between Madinah, Riyadh, and AlUla fill up over the winter holidays, so book them together with your international flight.
- Keep your visa, Nusuk permit, and event tickets in one place on your phone.
The winter season is a rare stretch of the year: mild weather at the two holy mosques and major events in Riyadh and AlUla in the same weeks. Start planning with our trip planner. Lock in the essentials first, Umrah and hotel, then add the events that suit you.