Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate Saudi National Day on Monday, September 23, at Thuwal Corniche! The event, organized by Campus and Community (C&C), brought together over 4,000 people from KAUST, Thuwal, Jeddah, and surrounding areas for an unforgettable evening of culture, community, and entertainment. 

The atmosphere was electric as families and friends gathered to experience a rich display of Saudi heritage. Traditional performances such as Ardah, Mezmar, Khobayti, and Al-Khatwa captivated the audience, showcasing the Kingdom's diverse cultural roots. The camel parades and thrilling flyboard shows added excitement to the evening, delighting attendees of all ages. 

The Artisan Bazaar and food trucks offering traditional Saudi delicacies were a hit, as were the activities such as face painting, henna art, photo booths, and live DJ sets. 

If you missed the event or want to relive the highlights, check out our event highlight video below and explore the Flickr Photo Gallery from the celebration. 

Instagram Challenge Winners 

As part of the celebration, we also organized the #KAUSTCountdownChallenge on the @KAUST.life Instagram account, inviting community members to share their favorite memories of Saudi Arabia. We received over 40 submissions and have selected five winners. 

First place winner Febin  

Thank you to everyone who took part! Do explore the winning posts on our Instagram page. 

Saudi National Day Cricket Exhibition Match 

Amr Atiah, Vice President of Campus and Community along with the members of the KAUST Cricket Club 

On the same day, The Cricket Club hosted a special Saudi National Day Exhibition Cricket Match between the KAUST Cricket Team and the Jeddah Cricket Association. It was a close contest, with the Jeddah Cricket Association emerging victorious, while KAUST's team put up a strong fight, narrowly losing by a small margin.