Are you ready to celebrate Saudi Founding Day in Riyadh? These are the exciting concerts, events and activities to mark the second-ever Founding Day.

Falling on Wednesday February 22, it is a day when everyone comes together to join in the foundation of the first Saudi state, Diriyah. A historical town and must-visit destination housing the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turaif, and the newly opened luxury foodie destination, Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah is considered the birthplace of the Kingdom.

February 22 is the official day of celebrating the unification of the Saudi regions – it’s also a public holiday and the first one of 2023 at that.

Here are a the best ways you can celebrate Saudi Founding Day in Riyadh this year.

Founding Day events and activities

Saudi Founding Day Ride

Mark Saudi’s commitment and determination while also working on your own by going on this cycling ride outside the city. Organised by Riyadh Pelton, this 222-kilometre (get it?) early morning group exercise goes along Al Waseel Road. Not only is it flanked by many scenic farms, but the scenic tour is a brilliant way to keep active as you mark Saudi Founding Day in Riyadh. So, grab your bike, and we’ll see you at the finish line.
Free. Wed Feb 22, 6.30am. Waseel Fields, Al Waseel Rd, @riyadhpeloton.

Founding Day food and restaurant offers

Chunk

If people say that Founding Day has a particularly crunchy vanilla and cardamom taste, then they’ve likely been enjoying the Founding Day cake from Chunk. This SAR220 dense cake comes with its own arda troupe.
SAR220. Various locations including Riyadh Park Mall, @hello_chunk.

Glaze Craze

Glaze Craze is known for its themed menus and Saudi Founding Day in Riyadh is no exception. This Foundation Day box could be just the gift for a gathering of sweet-tooths. It contains five cupcakes and 10 donuts, all decorated to the theme, of course. Let’s not forget the Founding Day cake, big enough to feed five people. We already share the pride, why not share some desserts?
SAR200. Open Mon-Sat 6.30am-midnight; Sun 4pm-midnight. Shorofat, An Nada, @glazecrazedonuts.

Listen to live music and tuck into Saudi eats at the Hilton

Hilton Riyadh is pulling out some stops for Saudi Founding Day. The lobby will be transformed with Saudi-inspired décor, including a tent with a traditional Arabian-style lounging area and live music. The hotel will also have a Saudi dessert corner with sweets from different regions of the Kingdom – with Saudi coffee, of course. The Teatro restaurant will also be serving a special Saudi-inspired breakfast and lunch buffet on the celebratory day.
Wed Feb 22. Ghirnatah, @hiltonriyadh.

Marriot Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter

How about Founding Day in the Diplomatic Quarter? Marriot Riyadh DQ has a range of experiences for the joyous day, including traditional Saudi dishes and the arda performed throughout the hotel. The Coffee Table will serve Saudi-inspired hot chocolates. An art gallery will showcase Saudi artists’ work, and more.
Wed Feb 22, 4pm. Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter, Al-Safarat, @marriottriyadhdq (011 835 3000).

Sarabeth’s

Another patriotic foodie treat, Sarabeth’s has launched two new dessert items in celebration of Saudi Founding Day. Available at both U Walk and Bujairi Terrace branches, these sweet croissants come in two flavours: pistachio and rose.
SAR15. Various locations including Bujairi, @sarabeths.sa.

Yauatcha

Maybe you’d like to take your party to Time Out Riyadh Best Restaurant Awards winner for Best Asian Restaurant, Yauatcha. In honour of Founding Day, the Olaya eatery is dishing up a themed dessert and mocktail, along with DJ performancse.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-11pm; Fri 1pm-11pm. Mode Mall, Olaya, @yauatchariyadh (920 00 6555).

Founding Day performances

Alliwan Heritage Celebration at KAFD

Explore all 14 locations commemorating Founding Day at King Abdullah Financial District. The celebratory schedule will include heritage performances, live shows, traditional recipes, and craft exhibits. Walk around among the traditional markets and dresses, interactive exhibition, and theatrical performances. Entry is free.
Free. Wed Feb 22-Fri Feb 24. KAFD, @kafd.

Check out The Beginning exhibition at Huna Takhassusi

Journey back to the beginning with, well, Burble’s second art exhibition: The Beginning at Huna Takhassusi in Panorama Mall from Sunday February 19 to Friday February 24. The showcase will explore artists and their developments, from the time they began to date. From beginners to professionals, the exhibition is taking the source of creativity and each of the artists individualistic journey’s at the creative space Inside the Place.
Until Fri Feb 24. Open Sun-Wed 8am-midnight, Thu 8am-1am. Panorama Mall, Al Takhassusi, @iam.huna / @inside.the.place.

Be part of The Boulevard Founding Day celebrations

The Boulevard was recognised for its Saudi Founding Day celebrations last year, and this year will likely be no different. The popular Hittin complex is sharing in the joy of the Kingdom with a traditional performance of the famous Saudi dance, ardah. The venue will also offer a corner for pictures, fitting gifts, as well as a caravan.
Wed Feb 22. The Boulevard, Hittin, @theboulevard_riyadh.

Enjoy music by Abdullah Al Abid at Aria Lounge

Ready for a night of music and to get Saudi National Day in Riyadh celebrations started right away? Abdullah Al Abid is taking to the Aria Lounge stage for a Saudi Founding Day performance from Tuesday February 21. The musical event will focus on classic Arabian tunes and promises to include that well-known Saudi hospitality. You’ll need to make a reservation beforehand.
From Tue Feb 21. Open Sun-Wed 4pm-3am, Thu-Fri 4pm-4am, Sat 4pm-3am. Al Aqiq, @arialoungeksa.

Take in a Founding Day musical play

History is getting musical at Al Ahmar Theater with a performance highlighting the Kingdom’s birth. Silver tickets are SAR50, gold SAR100 and VIP SAR150. The event starts on Wednesday February 22 and continues until Monday February 27.
From SAR50. Wed Feb 22-Mon Feb 27. 9pm-midnight. Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, mocevents.ticketmx.com.

Founding Day spa offers

Don’t miss out on Marriott’s Founding Day spa offer

Marriott’s Founding Day celebration include 50 percent off spa treatments

Enjoy 50 percent off at the Marriott’s Saray Spa this Saudi Founding Day in Riyadh. Yes, 50. The offer is available for six- to 12-month Health Club Membership holders, so we say get in on this while you can. Spas are always welcome during those days off.
Wed Feb 22. Marriott Hotel, Diplomatic Quarter, @marriottriyadhdq.

Relax at the eforea Spa & Health Club at the Hilton

Looking to relax this Saudi Founding Day? You could Head on over to the Hilton Riyadh and enjoy two limited packages available during the Founding Day week only. From Sunday February 19 to Thursday February 23, you can enjoy an hour-long massage for SAR460, and a 40-minute massage for SAR230. It’s time to unwind.
SAR230 (40 minutes), SAR460 (one hour). Sun Feb 19-Wed Feb 22. Ghirnatah, @eforeaspariyadh /@hiltonriyadh.

Wondering about how Saudi Founding Day came to be? See our Saudi Founding day guide for everything to know about the new public holiday.