15 brilliant things to do in Riyadh this long Eid holiday: Apr 28 to May 4
Who’s ready for the Eid break?
It’s a welcomed long weekend. Last week, officials announced that the Eid al-Fitr holidays for the private and non-profit sectors in Saudi Arabia start on Saturday April 30 and last for four days. The big day itself, Eid al-Fitr is expected to fall on Monday May 2, depending on the sighting of the Shawal moon.
With a six-day break (counting the weekend), you may well be looking for ways to get out and spend some time bonding together with the family – which is why we have compiled a super long list of things to keep you occupied for the super long weekend.
Here are 15 brilliant things to do in Riyadh this Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Thursday April 28
1. Watch a new movie this week
“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” is the newest adventure in the Wizarding World created by J.K. Rowling that you can escape to. This third instalment of the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, a spinoff of the “Harry Potter” series, sees Eddie Redmayne reprising his starring role as British wizard Newt Scamander. Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers.
Book your tickets here.
2. A family-fun day out at Ebda Adventure Park
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School’s out, and what better way to celebrate the holidays than by bringing the kiddos to Ebda Adventure Park? Offering fun-filled activities for kids of all ages, the park includes rock climbing, trampolining, and a great play cage. Whip out your cameras and snap away as your brave kids tackle balancing beams and zip lines. Trainers are also on hand to help supervise the children.
Ebda Adventure Park, Boulevard Riyadh City, daily 4pm to 1am. @ebdaadventureparks
3. Enjoy exclusive BMW offers
Take hold of your desired BMW with exclusive offers from Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors (MYNM), the official importer of BMW Group in Saudi Arabia. Those interested in buying the BMW X5 and BMW X7 models are able to pay 50 per cent of the total amount upon purchase and the remaining 50 per cent up to two years after purchasing the selected vehicle. In addition, new owners of BMW X5 and BMW X7 will also receive an exclusive comprehensive BMW Warranty Package valid for up to three years or 200,000km (whichever comes first) and a BMW Service Inclusive Package valid for up to three years or 60,000km (whichever comes first).
Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Showroom, As Sulay, Riyadh 14323, Sat to Thurs 11am to 4pm & 9.30pm to 1.30am. The offer is valid until April 30. Tel: 800 123 8000. BMW-saudiarabia.com
Friday April 29
4. Make time for a blowout
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Get your beauty look in check for the holiday. Your days of bad hair and the struggle against frizzy and flat locks can finally be put to rest at Metanoia Spa with their hair treatments and services. Blow-dry starts from SAR150, but we recommend trying out their Kevin Murphy scalp detox treatment (SAR168) that leaves your hair with a new shine. Oh, and while you’re there, why not do your nails, too?
Metanoia Spa, 2123 Abdulwahid Ibn Ahmad, An Nakheel, 7385 Riyadh 12385, Mon to Sat 2pm to 5pm & 8pm to 1am. Tel: 011 422 3314. @metanoia_spa
5. Indulge in a lavish iftar at Four Seasons Ramadan Tent
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It’s the last few days of Ramadan, and for those who would like to experience the Ramadan tent in Riyadh, the Kingdom Ballroom at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh has just the tent for you. Created in the most opulent settings with luxurious white and gold accents, the Kingdom Ballroom tent showcases the finest buffet setup and dedicated live cooking stations. Guests will enjoy traditional Iftar dishes and an extensive range of international specialities. There is also a special ‘Chef’s Table’ area, featuring bespoke table décor, personalised butler service, a ‘Chef’s Recommendation’ dish served to the table, and much more.
Ramadan Tent at the Kingdom Ballroom, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, Olaya Street, Kingdom Centre, Riyadh 11321, daily 6.30pm to 9pm. SAR425 for Iftar, SAR525 for Chef’s Table & SAR175 for children. Tel: 011 211 5888. @fsriyadh
Saturday April 30
6. Check into Nofa Resort Riyadh
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Tucked in the outskirts of Riyadh, Nofa Resort delivers complete luxury and exclusivity. Its open-air spaces allow you to appreciate your magnificent surroundings filled with verdant greenery, overlooking the Nofa Wildlife Park. There are ample activities to keep guests busy at the resort: Guests can experience the safari tour, show off their putting skills at the mini-golf, go horseback riding, or just laze by the swimming pool. Read our review of Nofa Resort here.
Nofa Resort Riyadh, a Radisson Collection Hotel, Riyadh Makkah Highway, Exit 857, Riyadh, 66223, Saudi Arabia. Tel: 011 521 2300. Radissonhotels.com
7. Get your second booster shot
“مواعيد حجز الجرعة “التنشيطية الثانية” من لقاح كورونا متاحة لمن يرغب من الفئة العمرية (50) عاماً فأكثر، وذلك لمن أتم (8) أشهر على أخذ الجرعة التنشيطية الأولى.
ويمكن حجز الموعد عبر تطبيق صحتي: https://t.co/BnAPh0VtZR pic.twitter.com/36BkFZKFsc— وزارة الصحة السعودية (@SaudiMOH) April 26, 2022
Are you above 50 years old? Have you completed eight months since taking the first booster dose? If the answers are ‘yes’, good news – you’re eligible for the fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccines. For those who aren’t aware, the rollout of the second booster dose has kicked off across the Kingdom to increase protection against Covid-19 and its variants. So, be sure to get registered.
Book your appointment through the Sehhaty mobile app.
Sunday May 1
8. Check out the Eid gifts selection from Marks & Spencer
Whether you’re looking for an Eid gift for your friends and family or the perfect Eid outfit for you, Marks & Spencer has got it all covered. Customise a food hamper featuring delectable sweets and savoury foods. You can choose from Belgian or Swiss chocolate gift bags, classic teatime treats, and traditional British favourites. Looking to refresh your wardrobe? Their high-quality selection of Eid apparel for women, children, and men features a range of timeless smart and casual wear to fit all occasions.
Marks & Spencer, various locations, including Panorama Mall & Granada Mall. The Eid collection is available in-store, with selected lines also available online. Customised M&S Ramadan Food Hampers are available to purchase in selected stores.
9. Donate care packages to those in need
With Eid around the corner, gift those in need with hope, care and happiness. Donate a Ramadan Donation Bundle – an initiative in collaboration between noon.com and AlNahda Society. All you have to do is purchase boxes of everyday necessities on noon.com, consisting of a Fashion Bundle, Personal Bundle, Home Bundle, or a Study Mega Bundle. Delivery will be sent directly to AlNahda Society for distribution.
noon Ramadan Donation Bundles Initiative, Until May 2. SAR50 per bundle. Noon.com
Monday May 2
10. Graze on a gorgeous cheese platter
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Meet Social By Chunk’s Eid breakfast cheese platter. Their decadent platters are carefully put together for maximum enjoyment, with flavours that pair well together. Assembled with ingredients made in-house, it includes a variety of cheeses, such as brie, halloumi and cheddar, accompanied by ham and freshly baked bread such as croissants and their signature Simit. Suitable for four to six people, the cheese platter is the perfect addition to your breakfast. You can also have the platter as a light snack between meals if you’re feeling a little peckish after lunch.
Social By Chunk, Eid Breakfast Cheese Platter, Order via The Chefz app. Tel: 050 222 5032. @socialbychunk
11. Crazy Pizza is now open
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Pizza lovers, you have been warned: a new must-visit address opens on Tahliya Street. Operating under Modern Food Company, which also owns Billionaire Riyadh, Myazu, COYA Riyadh, and Urth Caffe, Crazy Pizza is known for its crazy thin, yeast-free crust pizzas made from a secret recipe. The menu features a selection of salads and, of course, its wood-fired pizza with toppings like truffle, burrata and zucchini flowers. And if it’s anything like its outposts in London, we’re expecting energetic pizza spinning shows while waiting for our pizzas to arrive on the table.
Crazy Pizza Riyadh, Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12243, daily 1pm to 1am. Tel: 9200 07275. @crazypizza.saudi
Tuesday May 3
12. Celebrate Eid at ROKA
In celebration of the most-awaited festival of Eid Al-Fitr, ROKA welcomes guests for a memorable meal at its beautiful venue with its exclusive non-alcoholic cocktail. Inspired by the traditional Japanese highballs, Rei-Sai (SAR60, available only for three days) is made of a thirst-quenching blend of cucumber shiso cordial, orange rose, and a clarified yuzu and soda water. Have it alongside the platters of Angus beef tartar, crispy enoki maki, or the charred avocado salad – there really couldn’t be a better pairing. There’ll also be a DJ taking over the stage on the second and third days of Eid.
ROKA, 5140 Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Rd, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12243 7053, Sun to Wed 1pm to 4.30pm, Thurs to Sat 1pm to 12.30am. Terrace Opening Times: Sun to Wed 6.30pm to midnight, Thurs to Sat 6.30pm to 12.30am. Tel: 9200 12327. @rokariyadhofficial
13. Extravagant shows are back at Billionaire
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After closing for a month throughout Ramadan, Billionaire Riyadh is now open again to give you one memorable night out with plenty of entertainment. Expect an exquisite dining experience of Italian and new-Asian dishes with an innovative live show that brings together music, dance, food, and drink in one glittering package.
Billionaire Riyadh, Dabab St, Sulaimaniya, daily 7pm to 1am. Tel: 9200 11916. @billionaireriyadh
Wednesday May 4
14. Stay-cay at Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road
In celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road has announced its new limited-edition breakfast buffet, alongside special staycation rates for residents. Tuck into the hotel’s Eid breakfast buffet at Seven Restaurant, featuring live cooking stations, Middle Eastern favourites, freshly baked pastries and stacks of warm and fluffy pancakes and waffles. What’s more, families who book two rooms during the Eid period get to enjoy up to 50 per cent off the room rates. Guests will also receive 15 per cent or more off standard room rates when they choose to stay three nights or longer.
Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road, Al Murooj District, Olaya Street, Riyadh 11491. Eid Breakfast Buffet, 6.30am to 11am, SAR140+ per adult & SAR70+ per child (free for children below six years old). Tel: +966 11 521 0000. Email: [email protected]
15. Book a table at COYA for authentic Peruvian cuisine
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Riyadh’s famed Peruvian restaurant COYA has put together new special dishes this Eid. Featuring the very best of Latin American delights, diners will find themselves spoilt for choice with sumptuous dishes such as spider maki rolls and Wagyu beef cheek cazuela (slow-braised beef cheeks with miso yuzu butter and crispy sweet potato). Ending the celebrations on a sweet note, the dessert menu features choux de pistachio (Pistachio cream, white chocolate, dulce, and pistachio ice cream).
COYA Riyadh, 8710 Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi St, As Sulimaniyah, 4237, Riyadh 12223, daily 1pm to 2am. Tel: 9200 10352. @coyariyadh
Images: Provided / Instagram