Saudi Arabia's Soundstorm Festival Canceled for 2026

Saudi Arabia's MDLBEAST Soundstorm music festival has been canceled for 2026, becoming the latest major entertainment event in the region to be called off amid continuing instability and uncertainty across the Middle East.

MDLBEAST Soundstorm in Riyadh has been canceled for 2026, with organizers planning a return in 2027. [Photo: Visit Saudi]

MDLBEAST announced recently that the festival would not take place as planned.

In a message to fans and ticket holders, organizers said: “With regret, this year's Soundstorm will not take place as planned.” The organizers said they would instead focus on the 2027 edition.

The seventh edition had been scheduled for Dec. 3 and 4 at the Banban Grounds in Riyadh, with tickets already on sale.

Organizers did not give a specific reason for the cancellation.

Soundstorm has become one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent music festivals since launching in 2019. Previous editions have featured international performers including Bruno Mars, Cardi B and DJ Khaled.

The cancellation follows other changes to the region's entertainment calendar.

The Red Sea International Film Festival has also been canceled for 2026 and is expected to return in 2027.

Other concerts and festivals in the Gulf have also been postponed or canceled in recent months.

Although the cancellation comes amid the wider Middle East conflict, MDLBEAST did not publicly state that the war was the reason for the decision. The cause should therefore not be presented as confirmed unless the organizers provide further explanation.