The 2026 edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale ran from 30 January to 2 May 2026. This guide covers what was on, bookmark it for the next edition.
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026 is Saudi Arabia’s flagship international art exhibition, bringing together contemporary practices from around the world under one expansive programme.
This third edition, titled In Interludes and Transitions / في الحِلّ والترحال, draws on movements, migrations and cultural transformations that continue to connect the Gulf region with the world.
More than 70 artists representing numerous countries will contribute works spanning visual art, sound, performance, film, architecture and research-based projects. The biennale presents both large-scale installations and newly commissioned works, turning the historic JAX District into a dynamic platform for critical reflection and global artistic dialogue.
The 2026 edition is curated by Ute Meta Bauer and Suha Shoman, and its title, In Interludes and Transitions, points to the space between fixed states rather than the states themselves. Rather than presenting a single argument about contemporary art in the region, the curatorial framing is built around transitional moments in time, in culture, in society and how those in-between periods get represented, remembered or overlooked. It's a theme suited to Diriyah itself, a heritage site now being reshaped into a cultural district, and to the wider transformations taking place across Saudi Arabia. Expect the works on show to lean into questions of migration, memory and cultural exchange rather than offer tidy conclusions.
A co-curated edition also means the programme is shaped by two distinct curatorial perspectives rather than one, which is worth keeping in mind while moving through the exhibition different sections may read as being in conversation with each other rather than building toward a single, unified statement.
The 2026 edition opens on 30 January and runs through to 2 May. Over these three months, visitors can explore the full exhibition and attend talks, performances and public programmes that weave contemporary artistic practice with ideas of memory, cultural exchange and collective experience.
For more on Saudi Arabia's cultural transformation, explore our coverage of the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah.
The biennale is staged at JAX District in Diriyah, northwest of Riyadh. Once an industrial zone, JAX has been transformed into a creative quarter that sits beside the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif, blending historic architecture with contemporary culture. Exhibitions and installations are spread across multiple venues within the district, inviting visitors to experience art alongside the evolving urban fabric of Diriyah.
Read our guide to Art Week Riyadh for more on the Saudi capital's creative scene.
With more than 70 artists on the programme, the biennale's range is wide, spanning practices rooted in sculpture, sound, film, textile and performance, and drawing artists from across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the Americas. A handful of confirmed names give a sense of its scope, though the full programme is considerably larger than any single list can capture worth checking the biennale's own site closer to your visit for the complete artist roster and any programme updates.
Pio Abad (Filipino, based in London): works across sculpture and object-based practice, often drawing on looted or displaced artefacts and the politics of colonial-era collecting.
Dana Awartani (Saudi-Palestinian): a practice rooted in traditional craft and geometry, frequently using textile and repair as a way of addressing loss and destruction in the region's cultural heritage.
Petrit Halilaj (Kosovar): sculpture and installation drawing on childhood memory, folklore and personal history, often working at a large, immersive scale.
Raven Chacon (Diné/Navajo Nation, American) a composer and sound artist whose work engages Indigenous history and land through noise, silence and score-based pieces.
Raqs Media Collective (Indian, based in New Delhi) a three-person collective working across media, text and installation, known for a philosophical, research-driven approach to political and historical questions.
Noor Abuarafeh (Palestinian) primarily a filmmaker, working with archives, museums and the idea of erasure, examining what gets preserved and what gets forgotten.
Kawita Vatanajyankur (Thai) video and performance work that turns the artist's own body into a tool or machine, addressing labour, gender and endurance.
Hassan Khan (Egyptian) a multidisciplinary practice spanning sound, video, sculpture and music, often drawing on the textures of everyday urban life in Cairo.
Admission to the biennale is free, but timed entry tickets are required and should be booked in advance via biennale.org.sa. JAX District itself is a former military complex in Diriyah, roughly 15km northwest of Riyadh's city centre, with free parking on site and a valet option available. Food and drink aren't permitted inside the galleries, so plan accordingly if you're visiting across a longer stretch of the day. Allow at least three to four hours to see the exhibition properly, and if you want to pair the visit with At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage site next door, budget a full day rather than trying to fit both in around a single meal.
Since the district itself is spread across multiple venues, expect some walking between spaces comfortable shoes are worth the trade-off against dressing up for the occasion. Riyadh's climate also swings considerably between seasons, so it's worth checking conditions for your travel dates before deciding how much time to spend outdoors between indoor gallery spaces.
JAX District sits roughly 15–20 minutes from central Riyadh by car or ride-hailing app both Uber and Careem operate in the area. There is no direct public transport route to JAX, so a car is the most practical option once in the city.
Riyadh is served by King Khalid International Airport, with direct international connections from across the Gulf, Europe and beyond. From Dubai the flight is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes; from Abu Dhabi around 1 hour 45 minutes; from London around 6 hours 30 minutes; from Paris around 6 hours. The biennale's three-month run makes it a realistic addition to any regional or international itinerary a long weekend from the Gulf or a stopover on a longer trip.
Plan for more than one visit. With varied programmes and site-specific installations, the experience changes as you move through JAX’s architecture and its public spaces. Take time to explore performances and sound works as well as static exhibits. If you can, catch talks or guided tours that put the biennale’s theme into conversation with the region’s cultural lineage.
Visit: biennale.org.sa
Explore our full guide to art and culture in Saudi Arabia.
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
