Saudi Arabia’s flagship international contemporary art biennale returns in 2026 with a new curatorial direction and an expanded, cross disciplinary program. The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 opens 30 January 2026 at JAX District in Diriyah, northwest of Riyadh, and runs until 2 May 2026.
For artists, curators, collectors, and cultural travelers, it is one of the most important dates on the Middle East art calendar.
Quick facts at a glance
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Event: Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026
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Dates: 30 Jan to 2 May 2026
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Venue: JAX District, Diriyah (Riyadh region)
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Title and theme: In Interludes and Transitions (في الحِلّ والترحال)
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Artistic Directors: Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed
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Scale: more than 70 artists and over 20 new commissions
What is the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale?
Organized by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is a large scale curated exhibition format. It is not a booth based art fair. Think museum level exhibitions, ambitious installations, and public programs designed to place Saudi Arabia into a wider international conversation about contemporary art.
The 2026 theme: In Interludes and Transitions
The third edition is titled In Interludes and Transitions. The foundation’s curatorial framing connects the title to a colloquial phrase referencing cycles of encampment and journey, using movement, migration, and cultural transmission as key starting points.
What makes this edition especially relevant is its emphasis on processions and movement across mediums, placing sound based works alongside visual art, music, performance, and film for a broader definition of contemporary practice.
Who is curating the biennale?
The 2026 edition is led by Artistic Directors Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed, supported by an international curatorial team: Maan Abu Taleb, May Makki, Kabelo Malatsie, and Lantian Xie.
The foundation also lists Formafantasma as the scenography studio for the edition, with Sammy Zarka appointed as Associate Architect and Exhibition Designer.
Artists and commissions: what we know so far
The foundation has announced a preliminary list of participating artists, and confirms over 20 newly commissioned works for the 2026 biennale.
Names highlighted in the official announcement include artists such as Pio Abad, Rand Abdul Jabbar, Raven Chacon, Rahima Gambo, Petrit Halilaj, Thảo Nguyên Phan, Raqs Media Collective, Oscar Santillán, and Yu Ji, among many others.
Why JAX District matters
JAX District is Diriyah’s creative quarter, built from repurposed industrial spaces and now home to major cultural events. It is repeatedly positioned as a key destination for contemporary culture in Riyadh’s fast expanding arts ecosystem.
If you are visiting, JAX District also publishes practical visitor information including a location pin and general district opening hours, which can be useful for first time planning.
Practical planning tips for your visit
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Book your dates early: late January to February is peak cultural season in Saudi Arabia, and JAX District hosts multiple major events.
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Expect a multi venue experience: the foundation describes various venues and outdoor spaces as part of the biennale staging.
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Check ticketing and opening hours closer to launch: the foundation updates visitor details via its official channels and plan your visit section.
The Art Fair Guy take
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is one of the clearest signals that Saudi Arabia is building institutional scale, internationally legible cultural formats. For anyone working across MENASA, it is a high value trip for networking, research, and partnership building, even if you are not actively selling work.
If you are an artist or gallery planning Saudi Arabia in 2026, I can help you map the right opportunities, build an outreach list, and plan a realistic budget and timeline around Riyadh and AlUla. Reach out via The Art Fair Guy consulting.
FAQ
When is the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026?
30 January 2026 to 2 May 2026.
Where is it happening?
At JAX District in Diriyah, in the Riyadh region.
What is the theme for 2026?
The edition is titled In Interludes and Transitions (في الحِلّ والترحال).
Is this an art fair?
No. It is a curated biennale exhibition platform, not a booth based selling fair.
