For ten days in October, Malham, north of Riyadh, becomes a meeting place for people who know falconry by heart and people encountering it for the first time. The International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2026 runs from October 1 to 10 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham. It brings together falcons, crafts, outdoor equipment, interactive activities and cultural displays in a setting designed for specialists and curious families alike.
This guide covers the confirmed details available as of September 28, 2026, and offers a practical way to plan your visit. Schedules for individual activities may change. Before setting out, check the official exhibition website for the latest visitor information.
Dates and location at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exhibition dates | October 1–10, 2026 |
| City | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Venue | Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Malham, north of Riyadh |
| Announced daily hours | 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., according to the Saudi Press Agency announcement |
| Visitor registration | Available through the official exhibition website; verify entry conditions before traveling |
The Saudi Press Agency reported final preparations at the Malham venue ahead of opening. The exhibition site lists its dates, location and visitor registration link. If you are coming from central Riyadh or another city, confirm the exact destination on your map rather than searching for the exhibition name alone. Malham is north of the city, so travel time deserves a place in your plan, particularly if you intend to attend an activity at a set hour.
More than a display of falcons
Falconry carries a long cultural history in the Arabian Peninsula, but the exhibition also shows how its tools and services are changing. Traditional crafts and art sit alongside veterinary care, tracking devices and outdoor equipment. For a newcomer, that mix is the attraction: you can move from a conversation about a handmade object to a demonstration of a contemporary product, and see how an inherited practice continues to find new forms.
The National Center for Falcons, which is responsible for developing and organizing Saudi falconry activities, lists the exhibition alongside its wider 2026 calendar of races and auctions. You do not need specialist knowledge to enjoy the event. You do, however, benefit from choosing a few priorities before arriving. The site covers many subjects, and a hurried walk through every aisle may leave less time for the parts you actually came to see.
Where to begin your visit
The falcon zone
Start here if you want to understand the exhibition’s central theme. Suppliers present falconry equipment and services, while participating sectors include falcon feed, veterinary care, tracking devices and specialist technologies. Ask exhibitors what an item is for and who it suits; products intended for experienced falconers are not automatically appropriate for someone just starting out. A patient conversation can teach you more than a quick circuit of the stands.
Art, crafts and stories
The arts area brings together artists and makers whose work draws on falconry, hunting and the natural environment. It offers another way into the subject for visitors who may never attend a race or auction. Look out for craft workshops, folk performances and the Shalayel Museum in the accompanying programme. Times can differ from general opening hours, so check the day’s schedule when you arrive. This is also a useful stop if you want a quieter interval between larger interactive areas.
Outdoor and adventure equipment
The adventure zone focuses on trip vehicles and equipment, while a traditional market offers a range of travel supplies. Exhibitors cover tents, camping gear, caravans and modified vehicles. If you are considering a purchase, make a short list before entering: the equipment that looks impressive on a display stand may not fit the kind of journeys you actually take. Compare size, materials, storage and after-sales support, and ask for practical demonstrations where available.
Marine fishing and wildlife
The programme reaches beyond desert pursuits. A marine fishing area introduces equipment and related products, while a taxidermy section explores wildlife variety and how specimens are prepared and cared for. The exhibition’s safari area is presented as a place to see falcons and other animals while learning about wildlife conservation. Follow staff directions around live animals and avoid actions that could startle them. The point of a close encounter is to observe carefully, not to force a photograph.
Activities worth planning around
The official exhibition site lists Future Falconer, an especially relevant stop for families introducing younger visitors to the subject. Shalayel Museum and the Falconry Journey offer routes into the history and practices behind the displays. Other listed activities include horse and camel experiences, archery, virtual shooting, arts and craft workshops, folk performances and a World Heritage area. These listings describe the programme; they do not mean every activity will operate continuously throughout all ten days. Check the official activity information for current times and any booking conditions.
The center’s calendar places the Al-Melwah falcon race from October 4 to 9. If the race is your principal reason for visiting, select a day within that period and confirm the heat times and precise location before making travel arrangements. A falcon auction is also among the exhibition activities. The center separately lists a wider falcon auction season from October 1 to November 30, so do not confuse the full auction calendar with the exhibition’s October 1–10 dates.
Some sections display hunting weapons and knives, and the programme lists several shooting experiences. These areas operate under their own rules and staff supervision. A family seeking a cultural visit can build a complete day around falcons, art, museum displays, workshops and age-appropriate experiences without needing to cover every section.
A workable plan for one day
Choose one main reason to go: learning about falcons, attending a scheduled event, spending time with children, or comparing outdoor gear. Add two or three nearby activities and leave room for breaks, meals and the walk between zones. The official exhibition page includes a floor-plan link; reviewing it in advance can make a large venue feel manageable, especially when traveling with children or older relatives.
Use the official visitor registration link before departure and check whether particular workshops or experiences require separate booking. Do not assume a general registration covers every additional activity, and avoid relying on ticket prices or offers circulating through unofficial accounts. Save your registration confirmation where you can reach it without a reliable mobile connection. On arrival, note your parking location before entering; it can be surprisingly useful at the end of an evening visit.
The announced hours leave room for an afternoon and evening trip, but a live demonstration may follow a different timetable. Comfortable shoes and water are sensible choices. If you want to see the race, attend workshops and compare products in detail, consider more than one visit. There is no prize for checking off every zone; a few unhurried conversations often make the stronger memory.
Visiting with children
Give younger visitors a question to follow. Why does a falconer use a particular piece of equipment? How does a bird learn to respond? Which parts of the practice have stayed the same, and which have changed? Future Falconer, the museum and craft activities can turn those questions into a visit with a story, rather than a long walk past unfamiliar displays. Plan short breaks and ask staff about age restrictions for any interactive experience.
Be considerate when taking pictures. Follow posted rules, ask staff when unsure, and avoid flash around birds if it is prohibited. Children are more likely to remember what they learned when they have time to watch and ask questions than when every stop becomes a hurried photo opportunity. The visit can also begin a conversation about respecting wildlife, an essential part of appreciating the heritage itself.
Why the exhibition matters beyond its visitors
The event puts suppliers, craft businesses, specialist services and customers in the same place. It allows visitors to compare products in person and businesses to hear direct questions about quality and use. The official sector list ranges from veterinary services and communications devices to leather goods, camping equipment and handmade arts. That range is a reminder that falconry is both a cultural inheritance and a living ecosystem of skills, research, trade and recreation.
Figures on the exhibition website describing past attendance and participation are historical achievements, not confirmed outcomes for the 2026 edition. It is better to assess this year’s event after it has happened, using the organizer’s final figures and the visitor experience rather than projecting earlier results forward.
Frequently asked questions
When is the exhibition? It runs from October 1 through October 10, 2026. Announced visiting hours are 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily; verify any changes before you go.
Where is it held? At the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of Riyadh, rather than in the city center.
Is it suitable for someone who knows nothing about falconry? Yes. The programme includes cultural displays, art, family activities and specialist areas. Start with the museum and falcon zone, and ask questions along the way.
Is one day enough? One day is enough for a focused visit. Races, multiple workshops and detailed shopping may call for a second trip.
Where should I check registration and updates? Use the official exhibition website and the National Center for Falcons’ channels. Always give current organizer instructions priority over an earlier guide.
The best visit starts with curiosity and a realistic plan. You might arrive to see a falcon up close and leave with a new appreciation for a craft, a conservation lesson or a piece of technology you had never considered. From October 1 to 10, Malham offers the chance to encounter this heritage through many voices and activities, rather than a single familiar image.
Related on SaudiWe: Saudi National Day 96 events and planning guide.
Information last reviewed September 28, 2026. Primary references: the official exhibition website, exhibition zones, National Center for Falcons and Saudi Press Agency.
