2027 might feel far away, but this is the kind of event you plan for early. The Islamic Arts Biennale is coming back to Jeddah, and the dates have been announced: November 1, 2027 to March 1, 2028. The event will once again take over the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
The Islamic Arts Biennale was established by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and remains the first biennale in the world dedicated entirely to the arts of Islamic civilisations, past and present.
The upcoming edition will feature pieces from Makkah and Madinah, alongside loans from the Louvre and the Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s a rare chance to see works from globally recognised museums presented in Jeddah, alongside objects rooted in the region’s own history.
The Islamic Arts Biennale has already been held twice. In 2023, under the theme “Awwal Bait” (First House), it centred around the symbolism of the Holy Ka’bah in Makkah. In 2025, the theme “And All That Is In-Between” looked at how faith is experienced and expressed in everyday life.
And if you’re interested in where the city is heading next, you’ll be glad to know the Jeddah Metro project was recently revived. Even better, its planned Blue Line will connect directly to King Abdulaziz International Airport, the location hosting the Biennale.
