Love arts and culture? The Saudi capital is the place to be. Riyadh arts and culture events are second to none. The city is becoming a cultural powerhouse full of beautiful exhibitions, artistic events and concerts. If you’re looking to discover, learn a new skill or enjoy a performance, these are the events to have on your calendar. Check out the best Riyadh arts and culture events happening now.
Exhibitions
Artfair at Bauhaus Cultural Café
Riyadh’s café culture is huge and Bauhaus Cultural Café is the latest addition to a long list of unique cafés. The Al Munsiyah spot hosts workshops, weekly exhibitions of local artists, open mic nights, and more. Grab a coffee and marvel at the artworks. This is one of the Riyadh arts and culture events that should make you feel inspired.
Click here for top cafés in Riyadh.
Open Sat-Wed 5pm-midnight, Thu-Fri 5pm-1am. Al Sahaba Road, Al Munsiyah, instagram.com/bauhaus_cc.
Asfar at Al Faisal Museum for Arab Islamic Art
After the best Riyadh arts and culture events happening in the city now? Al Faisal Museum for Arab Islamic Art has a new exhibition, Asfar: Treasures of the King Faisal Center for Research and Studies. “Asfār” is the plural of “sifr”, a Quranic word meaning “tome or large book and good news”. The exhibition is free and showcases 28,500 manuscripts with the aim to preserve Arab-Islamic heritage.
Click here for more about the exhibition.
Free. Until Feb 2023. Open Sat-Thu 9am-9pm. No. 38, Al Olaya, kfcris.com/en.
Find Me Through The Fog
If you’re looking for free Riyadh arts and culture events, listen up. This new event aims to raise awareness of forest fires and the global warming crisis. The expanded exhibition features the poignant work of local artists.
Click here for more about Jeddah’s first digital art museum.
Free. Thu Sep 1-Sat Sep 24. JAX District, Diriyah, mocevents.ticketmx.com.
Silkscreen Showcase Exhibition at Misk Art Institute
Misk Art Institute invited six Saudi artists to spend four weeks focusing on contemporary and traditional printmaking. The artists immersed themselves in the deep conceptual thinking required for creating art of this sort. A new addition to Riyadh arts and culture events, enjoy artistically creative efforts by Haitham Alsharif, Shatha Altumihi, Rawabi Al Zahir, Mashari Alosaimi, Anfal Ben Alkolayb, Mohammad Fattal. We can’t wait to see what they’ve come up with.
Click here for the best tacos in Riyadh.
Sat Sep 3- Thu Sep 8. Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Arts Hall, miskartinstitute.org/exhibtions.
Plays
Qais & Laila
Looking for some live theatre and hopefully a few laughs in Riyadh arts and culture events? Qais & Laila is an old story of Arab origin about seventh-century Bedouin poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah and Layla bint Mahdi. The new rendition brings things into the modern digital age. The play explores the impact of social media platforms on our lives. Put your phone down and tune in.
Click here for more about the World Cosplay Summit coming to Riyadh.
From SAR80. Fri Aug 26 to Sat Sep 3. 9pm-10.30pm. Princess Noura University, Conference Center, Blue Hall, mocevents.ticketmx.com.
Workshops
Ceramics Wheel Workshop at Keramos Studio
If you love learning new skills, how about getting behind the pottery wheel? Keramos Studio is a local brand dedicated to teaching the art of making ceramics. Get to work on your very own cup, vase or bowl. Make it a family affair – Keramos welcomes kids over the age of five. This is one of the Riyadh arts and culture events everyone to enjoy.
Click here for awesome things to do in August.
SAR460. Uthman Ibn Affan Rd, An Narjis, keramosksa.com.
Comprehensive sculpting course at Catalyst V
Want to explore different art mediums? You could book into a sculpting course for beginners. Attend this eight-day course to understand the fundamentals of the artform. It’s of the fun Riyadh arts and culture events that allows you to great creative, and hopefully have something to display at the end. No pressure.
Click here for top live music events happening this month.
SAR4,760. Mon Aug 22-Thu Sep 1. 6pm-9pm. Hittin, instagram.com/catalystv.sa.
Back-to-school camp for kids at Watan Books
Back-to-school season is here, and that means you need to get the kiddos back into the school mindset. Watan Books has you covered, learn the basics of Arabic with an art class, story time, and interactive and action games, and more.
Click here for amazing new restaurants in Riyadh.
SAR120. Wed Aug 31. 10am-noon. 4pm-6pm. Uthman Ibn Affan Rd, An Narjis, watan-books.com (055 849 9197).
Paint on ceramic tiles at Hao Saudi
Who says you have to be limited to the canvas? Hao Saudi is hosting different Riyadh arts and culture events all year round. The latest event to get creative at is painting on ceramic tiles, cups, plates, and more. Get inspired.
Click here for more amazing coffee in Riyadh.
SAR170. Wed Aug 31. 6pm-7pm. King Fahd Road, Al-Muhammadiyah District, haosaudi.com.
Learn drawing basics at Enchanted Art Center
Always wanted to get into fine arts? Enchanted Art Center is offering a workshop on the basics of drawing. You’ll learn fundamental art theories using charcoal colours. Begin your artistic journey under the themes of silent nature or drawing animals. Pick up those pencils and get creating.
Click here for more about Enchanted Arts Center.
SAR250. Sun 5pm-7pm (ladies), Mon 6.30pm-8pm (ladies and gents),
Wed 11am-1pm, 5pm-7pm (ladies). Al Thumamah Valley St, Al Olaya, salla.sa/enchantedartcenter.
Painting at Lift KSA
Are you a Picasso in the making? Co-working space Lift KSA is offering painting sessions. Grab a paintbrush and make your masterpiece (no pressure). This artistic experience at Tafaseel Park sounds like a great way to unwind and destress.
Click here for more about a pop-up launched by Lift.
From SAR250. Open daily, 4pm-midnight. Tafaseel Park, Al Safarat, liftksa.com.
Inspired to create? Click here for all the art classes in the city.
