Winter Wonderland, a large-scale winter location with attractions, an ice rink and fairs, opened in Jeddah in December 2025. Find out how Saudi Arabia is developing winter tourism and what awaits travelers

Saudi Arabia continues to actively diversify its tourism offerings and is betting on year-round tourism.

On December 19, 2025, the large-scale Winter Wonderland entertainment complex officially opened in Jeddah - one of the key events of the Jeddah season, which should become a new magnet for tourists from all over the world, including citizens of Egypt, India, Pakistan, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom.

The project location was chosen as Al-Nawrass Square, where the coastal part of the city will turn into a real winter fairy tale for several months - with thematic decorations, art installations and a festive atmosphere for residents and guests of the city.

We will tell you about the prospects for winter tourism in Saudi Arabia in this article.

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Winter atmosphere in the middle of the desert: what awaits visitors?

“Winter Wonderland” in Jeddah is not just seasonal entertainment, but a full-fledged thematic space for family recreation. The organizers announce more than 40 attractions, including:

- skating rink;

- themed Christmas and winter markets;

- interactive zones for children and adults;

- gastronomic locations with drinks and dishes from different cuisines of the world;

- art installations and shows.

The project is designed to add a new dimension to the season in Jeddah and consolidate the city's status as one of the leading cultural and entertainment centers in the region.

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Why is the popularity of winter tourism growing rapidly?

The opening of Winter Wonderland in Jeddah reflects a global surge in interest in winter tourism. More and more travelers are choosing to travel in the cold season, looking for unusual experiences, family entertainment and cultural immersion.

This is a strategic step for Saudi Arabia: the country is gradually moving away from the model of seasonal tourism and is forming the image of a year-round tourist destination. The winter wonderland is expected to attract tourists in the off-season and compensate for the decline in demand after the traditionally active summer period.

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How will the opening of Winter Wonderland in Saudi Arabia affect the development of tourism in the country?

The festival is expected to have a powerful economic impact on Jeddah and the region as a whole. The increase in tourist flow will stimulate:

- the development of the hotel business;

- an increase in restaurant and retail turnover;

- demand for travel and transport services;

- the creation of new jobs in the field of events, service and hospitality.

In addition, international attention to the event will strengthen Jeddah's position on the global tourism map and make it an important stop for travelers planning to travel to the Middle East in winter.

Winter Wonderland is seen not just as a temporary festival, but as a long-term tourism asset for Saudi Arabia. As winter travel becomes more popular, the importance of such projects will only increase. In the future, this may stimulate the emergence of new seasonal festivals and attractions, which will contribute to the diversification of the tourism industry.

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The launch of Winter Wonderland in Jeddah is a vivid example of how Saudi Arabia is shaping a sustainable and modern tourism sector focused on an international audience. The combination of festive events, culture and entertainment allows the country to attract tourists throughout the year.

Given global tourism trends, such projects can become key drivers of industry growth and finally establish Jeddah as one of the most promising winter destinations in the Middle East.

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Mass festivals, attractions, active entertainment and a large crowd of tourists are bright emotions, but also increased risks. When traveling to Saudi Arabia, travel insurance becomes an important part of the preparation.

The policy will help in case of: sudden deterioration of well-being, injuries while visiting attractions, flight delay or loss of luggage, unforeseen expenses abroad.

Take care of insurance in advance and enjoy the winter fairy tale in Jeddah without unnecessary worries.

Let us remind you! World tourism is experiencing a rapid recovery, and global megacities are competing for primacy in quality of life and attractiveness for travelers. We’ve already covered which cities topped Euromonitor International’s 2025 rankings, why Paris remains the leader, what trends are shaping the future of travel, and how global tourism strategies are changing.

Photo – soulofsaudi.com