Major Saudi Entertainment Events Postponed or Cancelled in 2026.
Saudi Arabia is expected to cancel next year’s Joy Awards as the Kingdom reassesses its spending priorities, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
The high-profile awards ceremony, traditionally staged in Riyadh each January, has established itself as a key event on Saudi Arabia’s entertainment calendar and across the wider Arab entertainment industry.
Since its launch in Riyadh, the Joy Awards has grown in prominence, becoming one of the region’s major entertainment events and attracting leading figures from across the Arab and international entertainment sectors.
The Joy Awards originated from the Joy Forum in 2019 before returning in 2022 as part of Riyadh Season. The event features awards decided through public voting across categories including film, television, music, sport and social media, along with special honours such as Personality of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.
Global stars take centre stage
Over the years, the ceremony has attracted a number of prominent international personalities. In 2022, John Travolta received a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Salman Khan was honoured as Personality of the Year. Subsequent editions have recognised global names including Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, Andrea Bocelli and Hans Zimmer.
The 2026 ceremony included performances from Katy Perry, Robbie Williams and Il Divo. Forest Whitaker and Farouk Hosny were presented with Lifetime Achievement awards, while Millie Bobby Brown received the Personality of the Year honour.
Shah Rukh Khan, Oscar Isaac and several other international celebrities were also among those attending the event.
The General Entertainment Authority and MBC Group have yet to confirm the reported cancellation of the 2027 edition, according to Reuters.
Changes affect other Saudi events
A potential cancellation of the 2027 Joy Awards would follow adjustments to several other major events on Saudi Arabia’s entertainment schedule.
The Red Sea International Film Festival, which had been scheduled to take place in Jeddah from December 3 to 12, has been postponed until late 2027 following a review of logistical arrangements.
According to Reuters, organisers said the festival’s postponement was unrelated to regional tensions or reductions in spending. They also confirmed that other initiatives, including the Red Sea Fund and Red Sea Labs, would continue as planned.
Meanwhile, Soundstorm, the major music festival in Riyadh that had been scheduled for December 3 and 4, will also not take place in 2026.
Organiser MDL Beast confirmed that Soundstorm is expected to return in 2027, although no reason was given for the decision to cancel this year’s edition, Reuters reported.
