Fez — Saudi Arabia’s Balad Beast festival is set to return to Jeddah from January 29 to 30, 2026, transforming the UNESCO-listed Al Balad district into a large-scale open-air celebration of music, art, and heritage.
Now entering its fourth edition, Balad Beast will once again take over the historic heart of the Red Sea city, welcoming more than 30,000 attendees across two nights, according to organizers.
The 2026 lineup brings together major international names and regional talent, led by headliners Playboi Carti, Shaggy, Don Toliver, Naïka, and electronic heavyweights Solomun, Ben Böhmer, Loco Dice, and Pawsa.
Additional artists confirmed for the festival include Brina Knauss, NTO, Tini Gessler, Franky Rizardo, Destroy Lonely, Caleesi & Kreis, and Varoo, with more names still to be announced ahead of the event.
A festival built into the city’s history
What sets Balad Beast apart is its setting. The festival unfolds across Al Balad, Jeddah’s old town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its coral-stone buildings, narrow alleyways, and historic souqs.
Rather than isolating performances on a single site, Balad Beast integrates music into the fabric of the district. Four distinct stages are woven throughout Al Balad, each designed to reflect a different atmosphere and sound.
The Bab Stage hosts high-energy headline performances, while the Omda Stage focuses on deeper electronic and underground music. The Souq Stage draws inspiration from the area’s traditional markets, blending global and regional acts, and the Roshan Stage offers a more melodic and immersive experience framed by Al Balad’s iconic architecture.
Organizers describe the festival as a “living canvas,” where contemporary stage design and cutting-edge sound systems coexist with centuries-old urban spaces.
Growth and regional ambition
Since its launch, Balad Beast has become one of Saudi Arabia’s most distinctive music events, both for its scale and its cultural positioning. The 2026 edition will feature more than 100 local, regional, and international artists, marking its largest and most ambitious program to date.
The festival is produced by MDLBEAST, a Saudi-based entertainment company that has played a central role in expanding the Kingdom’s live music landscape over the past several years. Through festivals, concerts, and venue development, MDLBEAST has positioned Saudi Arabia as a growing hub for global touring artists while continuing to spotlight regional talent.
Tickets and access
Tickets for Balad Beast 2026 are now available through the NOFOMO platform, with general access currently on sale. Organizers have also teased a new “Backstage Experience” concept, details of which are expected to be announced soon.
The festival is open to attendees aged 16 and above. Doors will open daily at 8:00 p.m., with all stages going live simultaneously and last entry set for 2:00 a.m.
As Balad Beast returns to Jeddah’s historic core, the 2026 edition underscores how Saudi Arabia continues to merge heritage spaces with contemporary cultural expression, using music as a bridge between past and present in one of the Kingdom’s most storied districts.
