A Spectacular Visual Show Lights Up Ithra to Launch “Ithra Winter”
Over 1,000 Drones Illuminate Dhahran’s Sky in the Opening of “Khobar Season”
📍 Dhahran – October 26, 2025
📰 BETH Media Agency
🎨 An Exceptional Scene Opens “Ithra Winter”
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) – an Aramco Saudi Arabia initiative – announced the launch of “Ithra Winter 2025–2026”, coinciding with “Khobar Season.”
The opening featured a spectacular visual experience that blended art and technology, as more than 1,000 drones lit up the Dhahran sky with mesmerizing artistic formations, creating one of the largest aerial light shows in the region.
The performance — a harmony of light, culture, and creativity — reflected the spirit of the new season, reaffirming Ithra’s role as a platform that redefines the relationship between culture and technology.
🎵 Saudi Art Takes Center Stage
The season opened with a remarkable musical performance on Ithra’s main stage, featuring Saudi artists Abdulaziz Al-Manea and Abdullah Al-Manie, led by maestro Wissam Khassaf.
Outdoor stages came alive with four days of diverse musical performances, including Saudi artist Saad Al-Oud, Arwa Al-Saudia, and the Corala Ensemble in vibrant, interactive shows.
The celebrations also featured roving performances that added a festive touch to the atmosphere, alongside a Chinese orchestra and theatrical productions.
In addition, the “Echoes of the Familiar” exhibition opens on October 30, showcasing the works of 28 Saudi artists who explore the concept of “Home” through 35 unique art pieces, reflecting the depth of Saudi creativity and cultural diversity.
🌍 A Destination that Brings the World Together
The event reaffirms Ithra’s status as a leading cultural destination in the Eastern Province, uniting local and global experiences.
The center continues its hallmark programs, including:
“Tanween”, the creative platform that brings together innovators and designers.
The “Iqra” Reading Competition (10th edition), celebrating knowledge and the love of reading.
“Ithra Cultural Days – Spain”, which highlights Spanish culture through music, art, cinema, and cuisine, strengthening cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Spain.
🌟 A Season Filled with Creativity
Ithra invites visitors to enjoy a series of exceptional cultural experiences throughout the winter, reflecting its mission to transform culture into a living experience — one that goes beyond entertainment to inspire thought, dialogue, and imagination.
🏛️ About Ithra
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is one of Aramco’s flagship citizenship initiatives and a multidimensional cultural and creative hub designed to deliver exceptional experiences and foster positive social impact through innovative programs.
Opened to the public in 2018 in Dhahran, Eastern Saudi Arabia, Ithra has since become a global beacon of culture, promoting sustainability, knowledge exchange, and creativity.
The center features a wide range of facilities, including:
Idea Lab – Library – Theater – Museum – Cinema – Great Hall – Energy Exhibit – Children’s Museum – and the Ithra Tower, forming an integrated environment that nurtures intellectual and creative growth, and serves as a bridge between Saudi culture and the world.
