Every December, Riyadh turns into one of the world’s most-watched festival cities and Soundstorm 2025 is set to be its most ambitious edition yet.
Running from 11 to 13 December, the MDLBEAST mega-festival returns for three nights of global headliners, electrifying stages and the kind of scale that has made it a defining symbol of Saudi Arabia’s cultural rise.
This year’s location is the festival’s purpose-built site north of Riyadh, designed specifically for events of this magnitude. Visitors can expect huge open-air arenas, immersive productions, next-level visual design and an overall layout built to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people in full festival mode.
Soundstorm’s line-up spans EDM, techno, house, hip hop and global beats, bringing together some of the biggest artists in the world. Cardi B, Post Malone, Calvin Harris, Black Coffee, The Kid LAROI, Kaytranada, Major Lazer Soundsystem, Ava Max, Nina Kraviz, Nicole Moudaber, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Ben Böhmer, Marco Carola, Loyle Carner and many more will take over the festival’s multiple stages across the three days.
The iconic Big Beast Stage, one of the world's largest festival stages, returns as the home of headline performances, while UG (Underground) channels the raw spirit of club culture. MDLTown rounds out the experience with art, food, installations and a festival-within-a-festival vibe .
Tickets start at SAR 119, with tiers including STORM (general access), STORM+ (fast-track entry and premium zones), and VIB - Very Important Beast, which unlocks lounges, prime viewing and wallet credit for on-site spending. All purchases, schedules and updates run through the NOFOMO app, the festival’s all-in-one digital companion.
Expect mild, cool evenings in December and expressive festival fashion with a Saudi twist. It is advisable to pack a light jacket and dress to express yourself while keeping local customs in mind.
Ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem are recommended, though driving routes are clearly signposted once you take King Fahd Road / Route 65 to Banban Airport Road / Route 5776. The festival is cashless and arriving with a fully charged phone is highly recommended. Gates open each night at 6:30 pm, with last entry at 2 am.
Soundstorm is only part of the citywide energy. Visitors can explore Riyadh Season events, Diriyah’s heritage sites, Bujairi Terrace’s dining scene, contemporary galleries like Naila and Al Ajlan, cafés, boutiques and fine-dining spots across the capital, extending the festival into a full cultural trip.
With its scale, ambition and global pull, Soundstorm 2025 continues to shape Riyadh as one of the world’s most exciting destinations for music and culture.
Visit: mdlbeast.com
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.
