Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity has postponed its 2026 edition, scheduled for November 25–26 in Riyadh, citing the current regional situation. The Athar Awards ceremony will also be deferred to the rescheduled festival in the second quarter of 2027.
In a communication to award entrants, the Athar Festival team said the decision had not been taken lightly, with “the safety and wellbeing of our community” remaining among its priorities.
The festival said postponing the event would allow it to bring the industry together “under the right circumstances” and deliver an experience that reflects “the creativity, ambition, and progress of Saudi Arabia’s creative marketing industry”.
The postponement comes after the Athar Awards judging process had already been completed. However, the awards ceremony will now take place during the rescheduled festival, with the new date for the shortlist announcement yet to be confirmed.
“The Athar Awards judging process has been completed. However, with the festival now postponed, the awards ceremony will also take place during the rescheduled edition in Q2 2027,” the organisers said.
The team added that it remained eager to celebrate the best creative campaigns in Saudi Arabia, recognising “the talent, innovation, and impact driving our industry forward”.
Further details, including the confirmed festival dates and awards schedule, will be announced in due course.
Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity brings together the Kingdom’s creative marketing community to celebrate campaigns, recognise industry talent and provide a platform for exchanging ideas. The organisers said the festival remained committed to helping “shape the future of creativity in the Kingdom” and thanked partners, sponsors, speakers, jury members and entrants for their continued support and understanding.
