8 fab things to do in Riyadh this weekend: Sept 29 to Oct 1
Cheers to the weekend…
Looking for activities to do with your friends and family? Gear up and grab your crew for a day of fun adventure and activities in Riyadh. From exciting music and nightlife events to cultural festivals, here’s our list of eight fab things to do this weekend.
Thursday September 29
1. Check out the largest book festival
Book lovers, the Riyadh International Book Fair has made its return to the halls of Riyadh Front. Expect to see the latest titles for your library on the exhibition floor and get some book shopping done. The ten-day event also offers a cultural programme that includes cultural events, talks, interactive lectures, and workshops on arts, reading, writing, publishing, bookmaking, and translation.
Riyadh International Book Fair, Sept 29 to Oct 8, 11am to midnight, Riyadh Front. Register here.
2. Catch a new film at Park Avenue’s muvi Cinemas
We’re all excited for Park Avenue shopping centre’s opening in Qurtubah, and what’s even more exciting is that it is also home to muvi Cinemas’ latest location. Boasting 10 screens, why not indulge yourself with a movie experience like no other? The newest films debuting this week include Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris, an uplifting drama; Smile, a supernatural psychological horror film; a sci-fi action Apex starring Bruce Willis; The Enforcer, a crime drama starring Antonio Banderas and Kate Bosworth; and The Siege of Robinhood, a bold, and fresh take on the legendary outlaw.
Muvi Cinemas, Park Avenue, Saed Bin Zaid St, Qurtubah, Riyadh 13248. Book your tickets here. @muvi_cinemas
3. Get ready for COYA’s party of the season
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Famed in COYAs across the globe, La Semana Blanca heads all the way to Riyadh. Enjoy the best beats with live DJs and entertainment, exceptional food, delicious drinks, and much more. Head Chef Yves has also created a special platter featuring a selection of the restaurant’s signature para picar dishes and authentic anticuchos. So, wear your best glam white outfit and prepare for an unforgettable night.
La Semana Blanca Party at COYA, until Oct 1, 8710 Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi St, As Sulimaniyah, 4237, Riyadh 12223. Tel: 9200 10352. @coyariyadh
Friday September 30
4. Have a fiesta at Fiesta Andalucia brunch
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Celebrate the culture and food of Spain’s Andalucia region at Azure’s brunch buffet, featuring live cooking stations. The menu presents an array of mouth-watering Andalucian delights, including tapas, paella, and grilled lamb leg. Wash it down with good ol’ sangria, all whilst you sit back and enjoy some Spanish music – a sophisticated way to spend a Friday afternoon.
Fiesta Andalucía Brunch, Aug 26, 12.30pm to 4pm, Azure, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya. SAR256+ per person, half price for children ages seven to 12, and free for children below six. Reservations can be made here. Tel: 053 341 1234. @azureriyadh
5. Rave on and party past midnight
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Something’s brewing on Friday night at Diriyah Biennale Foundation, and it’s DNA – an underground music event where the warehouse space will be turned into a party den. Expect fine tunes from Brussels-based DJ/Producer Marhu, who’s popular for her unparalleled energy behind the booth, earning her a place in the upper echelons of the scene. Other unmissable line-up of club bangers includes DJs Mariam Arab, Riyadh-based Texan Erizo, Bigg3, B-Hydra, and Jordanian DJ based in Saudi, Psykey.
DNA, Sept 30, 8pm to 4am, JAX B9, Diriyah Biennale Foundation. The ticket price starts from SAR500. Book your tickets here. @dna_events.me
6. Let’s KCON
KCON 2022 SAUDI ARABIA ?D-2❤️
Revealing #TO1 unreleased selfie for TOgether?
9/30-10/1(AST), See you in SAUDI ARABIA?TOgether를 위해 준비한 #티오원 깜짝 미공개 셀카 공개?
9/30-10/1(AST), KCON 2022 SAUDI ARABIA에서 만나요?#KCON #KCON2022SAUDIARABIA @TO1_offcl pic.twitter.com/PzBHNHGrG8— KCON official (@KCON_official) September 28, 2022
It’s still not too late to grab your ticket for the world’s largest South Korean music and culture festival in Riyadh this weekend. KCON 2022 will take place on September 30 and October 1 at Boulevard Riyadh City and will feature K-pop music concerts and meet-and-greets with artists. The star-studded line-up for the concerts is filled with popular fifth-generation K-pop superstars. K-pop artists Sunmi and Rain, as well as bands The Boyz, Pentagon, P1Harmony, Secret Number, and BIG will all perform on Day 1 (Friday September 30), while K-pop singer/songwriter Hyolyn and bands such as Ateez, NewJeans, OneUs, STAYC, TO1, and Maytree will be taking the stage on Day 2 (Saturday October 1).
KCON 2022, Sept 30 & Oct 1, 5pm to 10pm, Boulevard Riyadh City. The ticket, which allows entry into the main KCON 2022 Convention, is priced at SAR150 per person. Book your tickets here. The KCON concert starts from 9pm to 1am at Mohamed Abdo Arena, and the ticket price ranges from SAR180 to SAR550.
Saturday October 1
7. Have fun at the free Saudi Coffee Festival
The Ministry of Culture is organising the Saudi Coffee Festival 2022 to highlight the importance of the beverage as part of Saudi culture. If you’re interested in learning more about Saudi coffee – or coffee in general – head down to The Arena Riyadh Venue for Exhibitions near Granada Mall to learn about the history of Saudi coffee, including everything from how beans are cultivated to how to prepare it properly. Look forward to a variety of enriching activities for all ages, too.
Saudi Coffee Festival, until Oct 1, 4pm to midnight, The Arena Riyadh Venue for Exhibitions, Imam Abdullah Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Gharnatah, Riyadh 13241. Free entry but you still need to book your tickets here.
8. Try this new state-of-the-art virtual reality experience
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Get ready to be transported to a whole new world at Dreamscape’s first-ever experience in Saudi Arabia. Located on the first floor of Riyadh Park Mall, the venue features four epic adventures to provide visitors with the magic of immersive and full-sensory storytelling. Guests are invited to soar to new heights and perform a daring rescue mission in DreamWorks Dragons: Flight Academy; a journey to a wildlife refuge of intergalactic creatures in Alien Zoo; leap into a daring adventure to find a cursed treasure in Curse of the Lost Pearl: A Magic Projector Adventure; or suit up as agents and save the universe from the extra-terrestrial world in MIB: First Assignment.
Dreamscape, First Floor, Riyadh Park Mall, Gate 3, Sat to Wed 11am to 12.30am, Thurs 11am to 2.30am & Fri 1pm to 2.30am. Suitable for ages 10 and above. @dreamscapeksa
Images: Unsplash / Instagram