Well, Riyadh Season is finally here. The much-anticipated festival has returned to town, and is promised to be bigger than ever. The festivities began with a blast – a gigantic fireworks display, to be precise – along with a performance from superstar Pitbull and parade in colourful costumes and with Harley Davidsons. That is just a taster of what’s to come, with a packed schedule running all the way until March 2022.
So what actually is it?
Riyadh Season is part of the countrywide Saudi Seasons festival initiative, which includes Sharqiyah Season in March and Jeddah Season in June. Riyadh Season launched in 2019 and is the biggest festival of its kind in the Middle East.
After skipping an edition in 2020 (no prizes for guessing why) Riyadh Season returns for the second time. The festival will be covering an impressive 5.4 million square metres and 14 districts, plus there are dedicated zones with their own distinct themes and activities.
Let us help you break down the mind-boggling scale of it all: there are 350 theatre shows, 70 Arabic concerts, six international musical events, 18 Arabic plays, six international plays, ten international exhibitions and 100 interactive experiences. Plus, more events are expected to be added on a regular basis.
What makes the festival particularly impressive is that it’s not just about big-ticket events, instead it caters to all tastes with niche offerings, from anime parties to poetry readings, gaming festivals, big team football matches and circus shows on ice.
So there’s no reason to not get involved. Here are 21 things, events, experiences, and well, stuff to get excited about.
1 Admire beautiful birds during Falcons
Did you know that falconry is labelled by UNESCO as a living human heritage in Saudi Arabia? These birds are a thing of beauty in the kingdom and will be celebrated during Falcons. You may well be flying high, as you have the chance to enter competitions and win prizes. The event runs from November 10 to 17.
2 Battle it out at Combat Field
Leave your joysticks at home and head over to Combat Field. Here you’ll experience the real deal and feel like you’re in your very own video game, as you can test out your skills on the field. Ride around in an actual war tank, shoot bow and arrows, swing some swords and then fire real ammo at a shooting range. Game on.
3 Be wowed du Soleil’s Messi 10
Cirque du Soleil shoots and scores with this larger-than-life live show. Messi 10 by the world-class circus group celebrates the magic behind the legendary footballer, Lionel Messi. This is the second time that the circus group are coming to the festival. Don’t expect cheesy clowns squirting water out of their ties, as the circus group are renowned for shows that often have death-defying stunts, which will thrill you and keep you on the edge of your seat. You’ll be impressed by the mix of acrobatics with athleticism, which brings together the wonderful worlds of football and circus.
4 Challenge yourself during The Crystal Maze
Admit it: whenever you watched the TV show, Crystal Maze, you imagined you could do better than the participants. Get ready to step into the interactive version of the show and see if you’re really up to the challenge. Use your wit and physicality to beat the clock and solve puzzles. You’ll be buzzing with excitement when you get to the round and get to collect all the dosh – it’s fake, of course.
5 Cheer on Barcelona and Boca Juniors at the Maradona Cup
Can Riyadh kick it? Yes, it can. Two former clubs of the legendary footballer, Diego Maradona, will be battling it out for the Maradona Cup. Barcelona and Boca Juniors will compete for the coveted cup, which is held in honour of the footballing legend on November 25, which is the date that Maradona died.
6 Enjoy a fine dining experience at Al Muraba
Al Muraba is back with high-end dining experiences, which will add a little razzle-dazzle to your night out. Oozing sophistication, you can listen to live music while you dine out. All you have to worry about is making the tough decision and choosing between international restaurants as well as cafes that are coming to the kingdom for the first time.
7 Escape the city at Oasis Riyadh
Go into the depths of the desert at Oasis Riyadh, which is located on the northern outskirts of the capital. In this zone, you can leave your footprints in the sand and dine at international restaurants, listen to traditional music and watch artistic performances. In the past, the area hosted pop-ups of globally renowned restaurants including Amazonico, Zuma and Ninive.
8 Dress up like your favourite cosplay character
If you know your Harley Quinn pigtails from your Deadpool bodysuit, then you’ll be excited to hear that at Riyadh Front you can join the Saudi Anime Show. While the zone has restaurants and cafes, we are especially excited by this event. You are encouraged to dress up as your favourite character and join like-minded people.
9 Fall for illusions at Champions of Magic
Get ready to be mesmerised by some Houdini-like acts and magic tricks. Watch as five magicians each specialising in different types of tricks impress the audience with mind-reading and grand illusions. Past shows have included daring escapes from water cells and predictions that will keep you guessing throughout the show.
10 Get chills as you watch Cirque de Glace
Imagine dancers doing high-speed throws and acrobatic lifts. Now imagine it on ice. That’s what you can expect at this ice show, which shows off superhuman aerial skills, contortionists and more. The family-friendly show sees Russian performers tell the story about evolution and the creation of the planet.
11 Give your day a digital upgrade at Riyadh Pulse
Watch some serious technological wizardry at Riyadh Pulse. In this futuristic zone, you can step into 3D displays, which social media won’t do justice. So put your phone down and be in the moment. As you’ll be dazzled by the visuals, which no mobile screen can replicate.
12 Go on an animal adventure with Riyadh Safari
Calling all animal lovers: Riyadh Safari brings a little bit of Africa to Saudi Arabia. We are all used to spotting stray cats on the street, but here you’ll meet some big cats. Hop on board for a real-life safari experience, where you can see wild animals including lions, elephants and leopards. Plus, look out for the petting zoo in the middle of the city.
13 Have some quiet time at Peace Tree
While you may well be overwhelmed with Riyadh Season, the organisers have thought of everything and created a dedicated spot so that you can have a little bit of silence. Here’s where you can enjoy the beauty of nature and swap the city sounds for some tranquil beats. Now exhale.
14 Listen to poetry at Kaluha
Saudi loves its poetry, so it comes as no surprise to see that there’s a whole zone dedicated to the spoken word. The word on the street is that this evening is fuelled with coffee, of course. So you can sip the night away while you listen to some of the country’s creative writers regale you with some verses.
15 Play games at Boulevard Riyadh City
We are big fans of this cool hotspot, but it’s about to get a whole lot more exciting. The three-kilometre walkway has restaurants, cafes and stores. What makes this stand out from other zones, however, is that there’ll be more than 500 electronic games, specially designed for children, which they’ll be able to play throughout the festival. Power up, people.
16 Spoil yourself at Via Riad
One for the grown-ups, Via Riad offers a touch of luxury to the season. This upscale zone will be home to high-end brands and an upmarket cinema experience. So if you want to escape the liveliness (noise) of some of the family-friendly areas, head here.
17 Step back in time at Zaman Village
Sure, we know Riyadh is a city of the future with soaring skyscrapers and entrepreneurial ambition, but we also love that its passionate about its past. Zaman Village adds a little touch of the old school to the festival. Be entertained by traditional Saudi songs and see classic Saudi art in the heritage village.
18 Take the kids to the Masameer Experience
Cute alert: your favourite characters from much-loved Saudi cartoons are coming to life via the Masameer Experience. This will be a top way of making sure the kids don’t say the two words parents dread the most: “I’m bored.” So, get ready for a fun-filled day where you’ll meet Captain Hekma, Bandar, Saleh and more.
19 Walk in a Winter Wonderland
Perhaps one of the most popular events during Riyadh Season, Winter Wonderland has increased by a whopping forty percent and brings a touch of frost to the desert. Go for a spin on the Ferris wheel, hop on to the carousel or scare yourself silly on the rollercoaster. Plus, this year it houses the world’s largest mobile skyloop. With festive lights, ice skating, cute chalet-style shops and street food stalls, you can easily spend the day and night here.
20 Watch footie legends take part in Riyadh Season Cup
The former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, will coach a team of Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr players in a match against Paris Saint-Germain in Riyadh Season Cup. We’re thrilled, as it will be the first time that the French side play in Saudi Arabia. Set to take place in January, the exact dates have yet to be confirmed.
21 Whizz down some super slides
Who doesn’t love slides? Whether you’re a kid or just a big kid, this giant slide is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Definitely one for the family – the Giant Slide in Winter Wonderland has multiple lanes for you to slide down at once. While there’s another – Avalanche at the Boulevard – just waiting for you to whizz your way down. Ready, set, slide…
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