King Abdulaziz Camel Festival

The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival has its roots in traditional Bedouin gatherings, where tribes would showcase their finest camels with pride and ceremony. These early displays evolved into a formal celebration of heritage, first established in 2000 under the King Abdulaziz Mazayen al-Ibil Award. In 2017, the festival expanded significantly to align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 — broadening its scope and drawing international attention. Held annually near Riyadh, the festival now features a vibrant mix of events: camel beauty contests (mazayen al-ibil), races, cultural exhibitions, and spirited auctions. It honours the deep cultural and historical significance of camels in Saudi, Arab, and Islamic traditions. In 2018, the event even made international headlines when several camels were disqualified for Botox injections — a surreal but telling example of how seriously authenticity is taken. Today, the festival stands as a dynamic intersection of tradition and modernity — a place where heritage, identity, and spectacle converge, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond to witness the enduring legacy of the “Ship of the Desert.”