IntelScoops

Buraidah, Saudi Arabia |

A celebration of culture, commerce, and sweetness is now underway in Buraidah, as the world’s largest date festival officially kicked off in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Qassim region.

Drawing farmers, traders, and tourists from across the Kingdom and beyond, the Buraidah Date Festival transforms the city into a vibrant marketplace — showcasing millions of dates across more than 30 varieties, from the prized Sukkari to Ajwa, Khalas, and Barhi.

More than 2,000 sellers are participating this year, offering a sensory-rich experience where tradition meets scale. With its early morning auctions, rows of date-laden stalls, and family-friendly cultural events, the festival serves as both an economic engine and a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted agricultural heritage.

“This is more than a market — it’s a living story of our land and our people,” said one local farmer, proudly displaying his harvest.

Held annually during the peak of the date season, the festival highlights Qassim’s central role in Saudi Arabia’s date industry, with the region producing some of the highest volumes in the country. Saudi Arabia itself is among the world’s top date producers and exporters, and events like this underscore its ambition to strengthen the sector globally.

The festival is expected to run for several weeks, drawing thousands of visitors daily — from international buyers and food producers to families eager to reconnect with the rhythms of rural life.

For many, Buraidah isn’t just a place on the map this month — it’s a destination where culture, community, and commerce converge in the shade of the palm.