Taking place in JAX District, the exciting event will showcase contemporary artists from around the world. 

Art lovers, unite. We have some exciting news. The dates for the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 have been revealed. Running from 30 January to 23 April 2026, the event will showcase contemporary artists from around the world. Taking place in the JAX District, it attracts local and international visitors and has become a firm fixture in the art calendar.

Now in its third edition, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 will take place across the JAX District, which is home to a number of outstanding art studios. The event will run across artists’ studios and exhibition venues.

The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 brings together local and international artists and architects, led by Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed. Nora is the Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions and Programmes at Art Jameel in Dubai and Jeddah. Sabih is a curator, cultural theorist, and educator, serving as Projects Advisor at the Ishara Art Foundation in Dubai.

The Milan-based architect Sammy Zarka has been appointed Associate Architect and Exhibition Designer. They will be joined by a team of international curators, including Maan Abu Taleb, May Makki, Kabelo Malatsie, and Lantian Xie. The team will also collaborate with leading institutions, including Art Jameel, Asia Art Archive, Kunsthalle Bern, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Ma3azef.

Aya Al-Bakree, CEO of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, explained: “This curatorial team brings together a wide range of voices shaped by different disciplines, ranging from music and performance to literature and architecture. Their experience demonstrates the evolving role of contemporary art as a space of exchange, and I hope to see that this will open new pathways for artists and audiences in Saudi Arabia.”

The first Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale took place in December 2021. The theme was ‘feeling the stones’ and it brought together more than 70 artists. Established with the support of the Ministry of Culture, it aimed to nurture the local art scene in the Kingdom. Since then, it has become a staple in the cultural calendar and serves as a global platform that fosters dialogue between the country and the rest of the world.

Check in with FACT for the latest details. 

GO: Visit https://biennale.org.sa for more information.