Saudi Museums Commission marks National Day with special programs

The Museums Commission has unveiled a special program to celebrate Saudi National Day at several of its museums. The Saudi National Museum in Riyadh, the Red Sea Museum, and the Tarek Abdulhakim Museum in Jeddah will host unique events and experiences starting September 23. These programs invite families and visitors of all ages to mark the national occasion through stories and traditions preserved in the Kingdom’s museums.

The celebrations draw inspiration from this year’s National Day theme, “Our pride is in our nature,” reflecting the Commission’s vision of museums as vibrant, interactive national spaces. The programs highlight the Kingdom’s initiatives and contributions, both in their design and in passing them on to future generations.

Each museum has tailored its program to its unique identity. The Saudi National Museum will take visitors on a journey through the story of the Kingdom’s unification and the formation of its national identity. The Red Sea Museum will celebrate the occasion by exploring the history of Jeddah and the Red Sea, while the Tarek Abdulhakim Museum will focus on the Kingdom’s rich musical heritage.

From September 23 to 26, the Saudi National Museum will offer an interactive journey guiding visitors through a series of stations inside the museum. The experience begins with a “shadow theater” performance recounting King Abdulaziz’s vision and the unification of the Kingdom, followed by stations highlighting influential national figures, the diversity of the Kingdom’s regions, and its enduring symbols, customs, and traditions.

Throughout the celebrations, the museum’s atrium will feature live performances of traditional arts from across the Kingdom, presented in collaboration with the Theater and Performing Arts Commission. Families can also enjoy a variety of interactive games and creative activities, along with a new sensory discovery wall designed especially for children, and a recording station where visitors can share personal messages about the Kingdom and its future.

The Red Sea Museum, located in the historic Bab Al-Bunt building in Jeddah, will host a full day of festivities on September 23, running from morning until evening.

The museum welcomes families and children with all-day activities, including face painting with a national theme, creative coloring sessions, and guided tours exploring the museum’s building, collections, and stories connected to the Kingdom.

Coinciding with International Day of Sign Languages, the museum will present the “Story of a Nation” experience, a comprehensive narrative session delivered with a Saudi Sign Language interpreter. Open to deaf children and people with disabilities, the event invites children to reflect on the meaning of homeland, belonging, and national identity.

The celebration will also see the launch of “Port Encounters,” a new regular platform supporting emerging Saudi photographers, artists, and creative talents.

The first edition, titled “Between Sea and Stone,” invites visitors to rediscover Jeddah and its port through the works of up-and-coming Saudi photographers. The artists will discuss their work with the public from September 23 to 25, with the exhibition running until September 30.

The Tarek Abdulhakim Museum will celebrate Saudi National Day from September 23 to 25 with a series of music workshops for children and families. The program will run daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., inviting visitors to explore the richness of the Kingdom’s musical traditions.

The workshops are designed to encourage participation and exploration, offering visitors of all ages the chance to engage with music as an important part of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.