King Abdulaziz Camel Festival 2027

The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival is held annually at Rumah, a desert site approximately 160 km north of Riyadh near the city of Buraydah in Al-Qassim region. It runs for around six weeks in January and February and draws up to 30,000 camels along with their owners and breeders from across Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, and beyond. By number of participants and prize money, it ranks as one of the largest camel festivals in the world.

The event is named after Saudi Arabia’s founding king and is rooted in the deep cultural significance of camels in Arabian heritage. Camels have historically been central to Bedouin life as transport, food source, and a measure of wealth. The festival celebrates this legacy through competitive events and cultural programming.

What Happens at the Festival

The centrepiece of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival is the camel beauty pageant. Judges evaluate hundreds of camels across different breed categories, assessing characteristics including head shape, neck length, coat colour, lip structure, and overall proportion. Standards vary by breed — the Mahaliyat and Asayel breeds are among the most prized — and competition is fierce. Prize money for top-placing camels runs into the millions of Saudi riyals, which reflects the seriousness with which breeders approach the judging.

Camel racing is the other major competitive component. Races take place on a dedicated track at the Rumah site. Modern Saudi camel racing uses robot jockeys — lightweight robotic devices that replace child jockeys — controlled remotely by trainers in vehicles running alongside the track. Races are fast and the sight of camels running at full pace across the desert terrain is unlike most other spectator sport experiences.

Beyond competition, the festival includes:

• Traditional markets selling camel products, Bedouin crafts, dates, and regional food
• Sword dances and cultural performances reflecting Najdi heritage
• Heritage exhibitions on camel breeds, traditional veterinary practices, and the history of camel trade routes
• Evening programmes with poetry recitation and music in the Bedouin tradition

Attending as a Visitor

The Rumah festival site is located off the Riyadh-Buraydah highway. Most visitors drive from Riyadh, a journey of approximately 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic. There is no dedicated public transport to the site; renting a car or joining a guided tour from Riyadh is the practical approach for independent visitors.

Entry to the festival grounds is generally free. Specific events such as major race days and final judging rounds draw the largest crowds and are worth planning around. The festival programme is published on official Saudi tourism channels and the General Entertainment Authority website.

January and February temperatures at Rumah are cool and sometimes cold — daytime highs of 15 to 22°C and nights that can drop below 5°C. Dress in layers. The site is largely open desert with limited shade. Bring water, sunscreen for daylight hours, and appropriate footwear for sandy terrain.

For more on Al-Qassim and travelling to northern Saudi Arabia, see our practical travel guide.