Experience JAX’s cafés offering tasty brewed coffee, cozy atmospheres and a young community daily. Just to name Dahma Café, Bohemia Café & Records, Archi and others. Visit museums and galleries, showcasing rich heritage and contemporary art through exhibitions inspiring dialogue. Have a round of padel play at JAX Padel Court (4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.). Meet the talents of local musicians and artists at ‘The Warehouse’ (Tue-Sun 5:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.). Or step right into the design fair of Downtown Design Riyadh.
But what exactly is the JAX District and where is it?
The JAX District is located in the Ad Diriyah Governorate, north-west of Riyadh. The two belong together, and yet worlds lie between them.
Historic Diriyah, which represents the roots of today’s Kingdom, lies in the heart of the Arabian Desert, on the banks of the Wadi Hanifa. It takes us on a journey through time with its ancient mud-brick and stone buildings and the doors of its palaces, which tell the stories of Saudi ancestors and preserve memories of times gone by. Figuratively speaking, just a stone’s throw away and now offering only a glimpse of the desert lies the JAX District, which is home to the capital’s vibrant modern life in its north-western area.
Built in 1975 and named after the company of the prime contractor, the JAX district was originally an industrial area with dozens white of warehouses. It served as a logistics hub for infrastructure projects in Riyadh. Following its renovation and development by the Ministry of Culture, it was transformed both in terms of space into a site and thematically into a platform that attracts artists, art enthusiasts, investors and businesses, ultimately offering them the opportunity to host artistic and cultural events. The JAX District is in the midst of transforming its industrial heritage into a hub for the arts and creative industries. The district features spaces for art exhibitions, as well as studios, facilities and platforms. Furthermore, it houses designated areas for media centres, events and year-round activities. Groundbreaking programmes and events take place here, such as the international art event ‘Diriyah Biennial’, which showcases sculptures, photography, installations and models. This initiative makes the area a global destination for art and creativity.
The JAX district is also home to the SAUDI ARABIA MUSEUM of CONTEMPORARY ART, SAMoCA, the country’s first museum dedicated to contemporary art. However, this should be regarded as a stopgap solution, as it currently only hosts temporary exhibitions. During these exhibitions, it is also only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm. It is only now (April 2026) that the construction contract for a fully-fledged museum building has been signed. The new museum will be located in Diriyah, the major integrated urban development project just adjacent to JAX District that will include museums, retail areas, a university, the Diriyah Opera House, the Diriyah Arena, alongside a range of cultural and entertainment facilities. It will therefore be some time yet before the museum is fully operational and open to the public on a regular basis.
