Jeddah’s Wooden Ships Festival: A Journey Through Saudi Arabia’s Maritime Legacy

The Wooden Ships Festival, organized by the Heritage Commission, is currently transforming Jeddah into a hub of maritime history, offering visitors a deeply immersive educational experience that celebrates the Kingdom’s historical bond with the sea through events blending coastal identity with interactive entertainment.

 The program is designed to showcase the evolution of maritime life, from the intricate rituals of shipbuilding to the storied history of the Red Sea.

 A highlight of the festival is the interactive pearl-diving simulation, allowing visitors to experience the challenges and rewards of this ancient trade in a heritage-inspired environment.

 The atmosphere is further enriched by live performances of traditional sea songs that historically greeted returning fishermen and by a recreation of an old coastal market, capturing the authentic essence of maritime commerce.