What's on in KSA & the Gulf.

Riyadh

43rd KKESH&RC International Conference

The annual international ophthalmology meeting of King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, now in its 43rd edition. Eye surgeons, ophthalmologists and trainees gather for lectures, hands-on workshops and debates on current treatments and surgical techniques across the main eye subspecialties.

Oct 1–3

JeddahFor marketers

Aramco F4 Saudi Arabian ChampionshipProgramme change

Update: Rounds 3 and 4 have moved from Jeddah to Bahrain International Circuit (31 October–1 November and 3–4 November), so the Jeddah races ended on 8 October. The season finishes at Lusail, Qatar, in December.

The third season of Saudi Arabia's FIA-certified Formula 4 series, a development ladder for young single-seater drivers, opened with two rounds in Jeddah, moves to Bahrain and finishes in Qatar. It attracts aspiring regional and international drivers, their teams and motorsport fans.

Oct 1–8

Riyadh

Digital Health Innovation Hackathon (Healthon 2026)

Healthon is a multi-day healthcare hackathon run out of King Saud University Medical City, where teams build digital solutions to real clinical and health-system problems. It draws developers, designers, clinicians and health-tech founders.

Oct 1–4

Riyadh

International Saudi Falcons & Hunting Exhibition

Saudi Arabia's large annual consumer and trade show for falconry, hunting and outdoor pursuits, held north of Riyadh. It attracts falconers, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and families alongside equipment dealers, vehicle outfitters and craft sellers.

Oct 1–10

Riyadh

Saudi Falcons Club Auction

A two-month auction held during the annual falcon-trapping season, where juvenile migratory peregrine falcons caught in the Kingdom are sold through competitive bidding. It is followed closely by falconers and breeders, and sessions are broadcast on TV and social media.

Oct 1 – Nov 30

Aseer

Wrth Camp 2026

A month-long residential training camp in Aseer where the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts teaches heritage crafts. This third edition, after Madinah and Al-Ahsa, brings together trainees from across the Kingdom to learn hands-on techniques from master craftspeople.

Oct 1–31

RiyadhFor marketers

The Global CSR Forum 2026

The second edition of a government-backed international forum on corporate social responsibility, held under royal patronage with the theme 'From Commitment to Impact'. It brings together executives, ministers, regulators, investors, academics and civil-society leaders to discuss how companies deliver measurable social impact.

Oct 5–6

Riyadh

6th Saudi Procurement Conference

The sixth edition of a Riyadh conference for procurement and supply-chain professionals. Buyers, procurement heads and solution providers share best practice, new technology and practical approaches through talks and workshops.

Oct 7–8

JeddahFor marketers

International Exhibition for Coffee & Chocolate Makers

A trade exhibition in Jeddah aimed at businesses that make coffee and chocolate products. Organiser details for the 2026 edition could not be confirmed from official sources.

Oct 8–10

Riyadh & JeddahFor marketers

Jewels of the World

A touring high-jewellery and watch showcase with editions in Riyadh and Jeddah, covering everything from rare gemstones and bridal pieces to work by emerging designers. Entry is free with registration, and it targets high-net-worth collectors and luxury shoppers.

Oct 9–22

Riyadh

17th Clean Energy Ministerial

The 17th meeting of the Clean Energy Ministerial, held alongside the 11th Mission Innovation ministerial during Riyadh's energy week. Energy ministers, officials and industry leaders review progress on clean-energy deployment and launch new joint initiatives, under the theme 'Inspiring Transformations to Deliver Regional Transitions'.

Oct 11–13

Riyadh

25th WPC Energy Congress

The 25th edition of WPC Energy's flagship congress and the first held in Saudi Arabia, with the theme 'Pathways to an Energy Future for All'. Energy ministers, oil, gas and energy-company CEOs, policymakers and technical experts attend the congress programme and a large exhibition.

Oct 11–15

Riyadh

7th International Conference on Disability & Rehabilitation

The seventh edition of a long-running international conference on disability research, rehabilitation and inclusion, held under royal patronage. It brings together researchers, clinicians, policymakers and disability advocates to discuss healthcare, assistive technology and quality-of-life outcomes.

Oct 11–13

Riyadh

12th Riyadh Economic Forum

A biennial forum founded by the Riyadh Chamber in which working groups present research on priority economic issues and turn it into policy recommendations. Senior officials, private-sector leaders, academics and economists attend.

Oct 12–14

Riyadh

Global Space Connectivity & Sustainability Events

A combined event that merges ITU's 'Connecting the World from the Skies' forum with the Space Sustainability Forum under the theme 'Connected Earth, Sustainable Space'. Regulators, satellite operators, telecom companies and researchers meet to discuss non-terrestrial networks, direct-to-device connectivity and the responsible use of space.

Oct 12–14

Riyadh

10th Standards Forum 2026

SASO's annual World Standards Day forum, now in its tenth year, focuses in 2026 on how standards can make artificial intelligence trustworthy and usable. The half-day morning programme gathers government regulators, technology firms and manufacturers working on quality and compliance.

Oct 14

RiyadhFor marketers

Riyadh Fashion WeekPostponed

Update: The organisers have postponed this fourth edition, planned for 15–20 October, to 2027. New dates have not been announced yet.

Saudi Arabia's flagship fashion week returns to the capital for six days of runway shows led by the Ministry of Culture's Fashion Commission. It puts homegrown Saudi designers alongside international houses in front of buyers, press, influencers and the style-conscious public.

Oct 15–20

JeddahFor marketers

FIFAe Finals 2026Postponed

Update: FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation postponed the Jeddah finals on 15 October, citing the effect of regional events on logistics. New dates will be announced later.

FIFA's football esports season ends in Jeddah, where national teams play for FIFAe World Cup titles in eFootball and Rocket League. The ten-day finals bring together pro players, national federations and gaming fans from around the world.

Oct 16–25

RiyadhFor marketers

Kanaba: Journalism and the Agency (الصحافة والوكالة)

A session in Raqmyon's Kanaba series, titled ‘Journalism and the Agency’, with Nasser Al-Awdah, founder of the NOB agency and chairman of Al-Weeam newspaper. He talks about his path before and after founding NOB, and the story of the Al-Weeam acquisition. 7:30 pm at the Cultural School.

Oct 17

Riyadh

43rd Saudi Agriculture

A long-running international trade show covering farming, water, food production, aquaculture, packaging and agro-industry, now in its 43rd edition. Exhibitors range from machinery and irrigation suppliers to seed, livestock and greenhouse specialists, and visitors are mainly farmers, investors and food-sector buyers.

Oct 19–22

Riyadh

MIPIM Middle EastPostponed

Update: The organisers have moved MIPIM Middle East to 2027. Dates have not been announced yet.

The first Middle East edition of the MIPIM real estate brand, launched in Riyadh with backing from the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority. It brings international investors, developers, policymakers and project owners together to discuss property and urban development deals in the region.

Oct 20–21

Riyadh

Venture Capital World SummitPostponed

Update: The organiser has moved the Riyadh summit, planned for 20 October, to 21 October 2027 at KAFD.

The Riyadh stop of an international series of investment conferences that connects growth-stage companies with venture capital investors. It targets founders who have moved past the early startup stage and want funding and expertise to expand internationally.

Oct 20

RiyadhFor marketers

Riyadh Season 2026Programme change

Update: Riyadh Season is still due to open on 21 October. The Six Kings Slam tennis event has moved from 21–24 October to 27–30 December 2026.

The seventh Riyadh Season opens on 21 October under the theme "Big Time" and runs for about ten weeks across zones throughout the capital. Residents, families and visitors from the region come for concerts, sports nights, theme zones and cultural attractions.

Oct 21

Jeddah

Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress

A two-day congress and exhibition on Saudi Arabia's shipping, ports and logistics sector, held under the patronage of the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services. Port operators, shipping lines, logistics firms, regulators and investors attend to discuss trade corridors, port competitiveness and the energy transition.

Oct 21–22

AlUlaFor marketers

AlUla Wellness FestivalDeveloping

Update: When we checked on 17 October, Experience AlUla's festival page didn't list dates for this year's edition. Check with Experience AlUla before planning around 23–31 October.

A nine-day festival that combines endurance sport with mindfulness, held across AlUla's desert valleys, oases and heritage sites. It attracts runners, cyclists, yoga practitioners and wellness travellers from Saudi Arabia and abroad.

Oct 23–31

Riyadh

Global PropTech Summit

A two-day summit on property technology in Riyadh, held with REGA as regulatory partner under the 2026 theme "Scaling Intelligence". It gathers real estate developers, proptech startups, investors and government officials to look at digital innovation in the housing and property market.

Oct 25–26

RiyadhFor marketers

10th Future Investment Initiative (FII)Developing

Update: When we checked on 17 October, FII's own page still listed it as an in-person event on 26–29 October. Reuters and AFP, citing unnamed sources, report that a virtual attendance option is planned. FII hasn't confirmed this.

The tenth anniversary edition of Riyadh's flagship global investment forum runs for four days under the theme "The Power of Legacy". It draws heads of state, ministers, sovereign fund leaders, global CEOs, investors and founders to discuss capital flows, technology and economic policy.

Oct 26–29

Riyadh

Global Health ExhibitionPostponed

Update: The exhibition has moved to 25–28 October 2027. This year it runs only as an online event, the Global Health Exhibition Digital Forum.

The ninth Global Health Exhibition is a large healthcare trade show and conference covering hospitals, medical technology, digital health and health investment. Clinicians, hospital leaders, healthtech companies, pharma firms and investors attend from across the region and beyond.

Oct 26–29

Abu DhabiFor marketers

The Arabian Chatbot & Agentic AI Summit 2026

Inaugural Abu Dhabi edition of a conversational, agentic and generative AI summit for UAE and GCC leaders. Sessions cover real-world use cases, Arabic NLP, automation and next-generation customer experiences.

Oct 26

Riyadh

12th Middle East Banking AI & Analytics SummitPostponed

Update: The organiser now lists the summit for 20 January 2027 at voco Riyadh.

A one-day conference on applying AI, data and analytics in banking and financial services. Attendees are typically data, technology and innovation leaders from banks and other financial institutions, plus solution vendors.

Oct 27

QiddiyaFor marketers

FIA Extreme H World Cup

The second edition of the world's first hydrogen-powered motorsport championship takes place on an off-road course in Qiddiya City. Mixed-gender driver pairs race Pioneer 25 hydrogen cars before motorsport fans, sustainability-minded audiences and industry partners.

Oct 29–31