Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2025 Set To begin This December Boosting Culture And Tourism In Saudi Arabia

Published on December 10, 2025

The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival (KAFF) will commence on December 25, 2025, and will be held at the Saudi Falcons Club in Malham, north of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, until January 10, 2026. The next edition will be a gathering of the world’s falconers, professional competitors, elite breeders and dedicated amateurs making it a genuine international event of a centuries-old tradition.

This festival is as much about falcons and competition as it is about culture, heritage and tourism, a vivid experience for anyone interested in the art of falconry, Arabian history, and immersive travel.

A Festival Steeped in History and Heritage

Falconry holds a special place in the Arabian Peninsula, with roots stretching back thousands of years. As described by Saudi tourism authorities, falconry has been recognised as a cultural activity and sport that connects modern visitors to age-old Bedouin traditions.

The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival was launched in 2019 by the Saudi Falcons Club. In that first edition, roughly 1,723 falcons competed, earning the festival a place in the Guinness World Records.

The festival’s stated goals include showcasing the cultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula, celebrating falconry as a symbol of identity, and promoting environmental and heritage preservation reinforcing the commitment of Saudi Arabia to keep this tradition alive for future generations.

What to Expect: Competitions, Culture and Tourism Attractions

For 2025, the festival’s organisers have announced a refreshed programme that includes existing favourite competitions and new additions in response to evolving interest. According to the announcement, besides traditional milwah (racing) and mazayen (beauty and fitness) contests, new race categories will be introduced, including a Nova Race, a Mongolian Falcons Race, two Shalfa King races, a schools race, and a women’s race. This expansion reflects the festival’s growing inclusivity and global reach.

Over the years, the festival has drawn thousands of falcons and hundreds of falconers from Saudi Arabia, Gulf nations, and farther afield. For example, in 2023 the festival again secured its place in the Guinness World Records when 2,654 falcons participated.

Beyond the competitions, visitors can immerse themselves in heritage-driven activities: traditional falconry demonstrations, falcon-handling workshops, a falconry museum presenting the history of the sport, art exhibitions, heritage-market stalls, desert camps, cultural performances, and even family-friendly attractions.

A key feature in recent festivals has been interactive exhibition, blending tradition with modern technology. For instance, previous editions included a digital museum where international visitors could engage with falcon biology, conservation, falcon-care practices, and history often presented bilingually in Arabic and English for accessibility.

Why the Festival Matters for Heritage, Culture and Tourists

Preservation of a Timeless Tradition

The festival provides an institutional framework to safeguard falconry, an art that exemplifies human connection with nature at a time when modern lifestyles risk eroding such traditions. By offering competitions, workshops, and educational exhibitions, the event ensures knowledge of falcon-breeding, training and falcon-care continues across generations.

Moreover, as falconry was recognised by UNESCO among the intangible cultural heritages of nations including Saudi Arabia, the festival amplifies global awareness of its significance.

Tourism and Cultural Diplomacy

For international tourists, the festival offers a rare chance to experience a living slice of Arabian history, witnessing majestic falcons, traditional desert-camp hospitality, cultural performances, and authentic cuisine. The international character of the event, with participants and visitors from around the world, helps foster cross-cultural exchange.

For Saudi Arabia, the festival is also part of broader efforts to develop heritage tourism, in line with the goals of cultural diversification and global outreach promoted by tourism authorities.

Economic and Community Impact

The festival supports a thriving falconry economy, from breeding and training falcons to the trade in falconry gear, traditional crafts, desert-tourism services, and hospitality. It also provides a platform for younger falconers and enthusiasts, including youth and, increasingly, women to engage with the tradition and carry it forward.

What the 2025 Edition Means for Travelers and Falconry Fans

For travellers planning a visit to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks, this edition of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival offers an exceptional cultural experience. From 25 December through 10 January, Riyadh’s Malham grounds will transform into a vibrant hub of heritage, competition and entertainment.

Whether you are a falconry aficionado, a cultural-heritage traveller, or a curious visitor eager to witness one of the most unique festivals in the world, this is a golden opportunity to witness majestic falcons, engage with desert culture, and feel the pulse of a tradition that has soared across centuries.

With races, exhibitions, interactive museums, and a celebration of tradition and innovation, the festival promises memories that go beyond the ordinary and a deeper understanding of the heart and soul of Arabian heritage.

As the 2025 festival approaches, many falconers and visitors are said to be eagerly awaiting the opening, hoping to share their passion for falcons, culture, and community under the Saudi sky.