Is January a good time to visit Saudi Arabia?

January is one of the best months to visit Saudi Arabia. Temperatures are comfortable across most of the country — 20–25°C in Riyadh and Jeddah, cooler in the northern regions. The peak tourist season is October to March, and January falls in the middle of it. AlUla's Winter at Tantora festival runs through January, adding cultural events to the heritage experience.

What is the weather like in Saudi Arabia in January?

Riyadh averages 20°C in January, dropping to 10°C at night. Jeddah is warmer at 26°C during the day. AlUla and the north can see frost at night. Abha in the Asir mountains can drop below 10°C. The Empty Quarter in the south is cold overnight but warm in the afternoon sun.

What events happen in Saudi Arabia in January?

The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival runs January through February in the Al-Qassim region near Buraydah. The Winter at Tantora festival continues at AlUla through January and March. Riyadh Season events run through February.

Visiting Saudi Arabia in January

15 March 2026 · 2 min read Practical

January is one of the best months to visit Saudi Arabia. The extreme summer heat has passed, temperatures across most of the country are genuinely comfortable, and the major cultural events calendar is active.

Weather in January

Riyadh: Average 20°C during the day, dropping to 8–12°C at night. Occasional fog in the mornings. Pack layers for evenings.

Jeddah: Warmer coastal climate — around 26°C during the day, 18°C at night. The most comfortable time of year on the Red Sea coast.

AlUla: 20°C days, with night temperatures dropping to 5–8°C. Cold overnight — bring a warm layer if camping or doing dawn excursions to Hegra.

Abha (Asir Mountains): 15–20°C days, cold nights approaching 5°C. The coolest major city in January.

Dammam/Al Khobar (Eastern Province): Similar to Riyadh — comfortable 22°C days with mild nights.

Events in January

King Abdulaziz Camel Festival (Al-Qassim region, near Buraydah): One of the world’s largest camel events — beauty pageants, racing, and cultural activities. Runs through January and February. The scale is extraordinary: tens of thousands of camels, with prize money in the hundreds of millions of riyals. Book transport and accommodation early.

Winter at Tantora (AlUla): The cultural festival at AlUla continues through January — concerts, art, and food events against the backdrop of the Nabataean landscape. The site is at its best in this month’s light.

Riyadh Season events continue through January — check the current programme for entertainment, exhibitions, and performances.

Practical Tips for January

Crowds at major heritage sites (Hegra, Diriyah) are at their peak in the October–March season. Book guided tours of Hegra through our AlUla tours page well in advance — slots fill during the festival season.

Pack a jacket for evenings everywhere, and a warm layer for Abha and the northern highlands. The Asir mountains and northern plateau can see genuinely cold nights.

Ramadan may occasionally fall in January (the Islamic calendar is lunar and shifts approximately 11 days each year). If Ramadan overlaps with your January travel, check our practical guide to Saudi Arabia for what to expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is January a good time to visit Saudi Arabia?: January is one of the best months to visit Saudi Arabia. Temperatures are comfortable across most of the country — 20–25°C in Riyadh and Jeddah, cooler in the northern regions. The peak tourist season is October to March, and January falls in the middle of it. AlUla's Winter at Tantora festival runs through January, adding cultural events to the heritage experience.
What is the weather like in Saudi Arabia in January?: Riyadh averages 20°C in January, dropping to 10°C at night. Jeddah is warmer at 26°C during the day. AlUla and the north can see frost at night. Abha in the Asir mountains can drop below 10°C. The Empty Quarter in the south is cold overnight but warm in the afternoon sun.
What events happen in Saudi Arabia in January?: The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival runs January through February in the Al-Qassim region near Buraydah. The Winter at Tantora festival continues at AlUla through January and March. Riyadh Season events run through February.