Saudi Arabia’s culinary heritage has taken center stage at the Kleija Festival 2026, taking place in Al Qassim Region’s Buraidah city.
The Kleija Festival offers a flavorsome showcase of Saudi Arabia’s traditional dishes, highlighting the richness of Al Qassim’s culinary heritage and the authenticity of the Kingdom’s flavors.
In light of this, the traditional food pavilion has drawn a large number of the festival’s visitors with authentic traditional dishes prepared with meticulous care, blending culinary heritage with the highest standards of food safety.
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اليوم العاشر من#مهرجان_الكليجا17
المهرجان الذي لا يهدأ.. pic.twitter.com/dZmLqc3lXX— مهرجان الكليجا 17 (@Event_qcc) January 17, 2026
A number of local families and folk chefs shared their passion for using fresh, local produce and honoring the time-tested recipes the region is famous for, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
While Kleija in all its varieties was in the forefront, the menu featured a wide array of traditional favorites designed to delight visitors of every generation.
Kleija – the official traditional dish of Al Qassim Region – is a sweet cookie blending Saudi Arabia’s traditional flavors and ingredients, such as dates, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Kicking off on January 8, the 17th edition of Kleija Festival offered a rich cultural experience, combining popular heritage with local authenticity, with the participation of Morocco, Egypt, and Türkiye.
The festival takes place in Buraidah, one of UNESCO’s Creative Cities, aiming to promote Saudi cuisine while delivering a unique cultural experience blending heritage and quality.
