7 great things to do in Riyadh this week: October 2 to 5
Cheers to the start of a new week and a new month…
From fashion festivals to culinary experiences, this week’s line-up is not short of amazing things to do. Here’s a look at some ideas and activities in Riyadh for the first week of October.
Sunday October 2
1. Get your walking workout indoors
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Thinking of ways to increase your step count during the day? Walking indoors is always an option when trying to get your fitness on. It’s still not too late to join the Riyadh Women Getting Fit community for a four-kilometre brisk walk at Al Nakheel Mall. And once you’re done, you can also grab a quick lunch at one of the cafés.
Sunday Mall Walk at Al Nakheel Mall, Starts at 11.30am. Meeting time: 11.20am in front of Muvi Cinema at the new wing of Al Nakheel Mall. DM @riyadh_women_gettingfit or WhatsApp 058 218 2524 for more info.
2. Explore the world of sneakers
Attention sneakerheads. Riyadh is witnessing an electric celebration of the rising trend of sneakers with an exciting launch of the ‘Sneak Me’ sneaker culture festival. Expect to see some of the most celebrated global and regional brands retailing sneakers, as well as the hottest in streetwear and accessories. The first-of-its-kind event in the Kingdom will deliver sneaker culture panel talks, live graffiti, a museum showcasing 200 rare and exclusive pieces, and a team of international designers on hand to provide customised designs and sneaker care. There’s also a street food market, world-class stunt acts, hip hop and live performances at a dedicated basketball court, and a DJ playing throughout the evening.
Sneak Me, until Oct 14, 4pm to midnight, King Khalid Rd, Ar Rihab, Riyadh 00966. SAR50 per person. Book your tickets here.
Monday October 3
3. Watch the best short films by emerging Saudi filmmakers
To highlight the beauty of short movies by Saudi filmmakers, Netflix has released a specially curated collection of 11 short films titled “New Saudi Voices”. From horror and fantasy to family adventure, animation, sci-fi, and non-fiction, stories will span across decades, from the past of the 1960s to the modern day, and into an imagined future of the 2090s. The red thread across all of them is the chance to experience a distinctly Saudi perspective. Documentaries like ‘Alrufea’ by Abbas Alshuwayfie offer a peek into an old Saudi neighbourhood, and Omar Al Omirat’s ‘Covida the 19th’ explores lifestyle changes post-pandemic. The collection also includes fictional plots like ‘The Day I Lost Myself’ by Rami Alzayer, which explores how a young man with anxiety finds himself stuck in an elevator on his way to an interview.
Tuesday October 4
4. Enjoy a ladies’ Yin Night at Yauatcha
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Welcome to ladies’ night – every night – at Yauatcha. Amp up your Chinese gastronomic experience this month when you indulge in Yin Night at the restaurant. So, round up your girlfriends, come after 6pm for a complimentary drink and macarons, and stay for dim sums.
Yin Night for Ladies, Yauatcha, 6pm to closing time, Model Mall, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12212. @yauatchariyadh
5. Catch Chef Mamo in Riyadh
From October 4 to 6, you’ll get to say “Hi” to Chef Mamo of Mamo Michelangelo – the restaurant’s creator who’s also a brilliant artist and chef. He will be in Riyadh to present three days of specially curated dishes, which will delight all culinary explorers, bringing them to new heights of fine dining excellence. So, book your table, indulge in one of the best Provençal and Italian cuisines in Riyadh, and get a chance to meet, greet and share pictures of the culinary genius from Antibes.
Mamo Michelangelo Restaurant, Al Faisaliah, King Fahd Rd, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12212, daily 12.30pm to midnight. Tel: 9200 00874. @mamomichelangeloksa
Wednesday October 5
6. Shop at Saudi Arabia’s first outlet shopping festival
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On a budget? Shop discounted luxury labels, high-street brands, sportswear, designer bags and more at Outlet 2022, the largest Saudi shopping festival that brings together over 1,500 international brands. Enjoy up to 70 per cent off from Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, Missoni, Jimmy Choo, Massimo Dutti, Ralph Lauren, Fred Perry, Nike, Decathlon and much more. Then, make a day of it by rewarding yourself with dinner at the various restaurants available.
Riyadh Outlet 2022, until Oct 14, 3pm to 1am, King Khalid Rd, Ar Rihab, Riyadh 00966. Free entry.
7. Book a table at Encore for a top chef meal
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Gastronomic excellence takes centre stage at Encore, where outstanding guest chef Massimiliano Mascia from two-Michelin starred San Domenico Restaurant in Imola, Italy, delivers a multi-sensorial dining experience to food connoisseurs for two indulgent nights. This event highlights Chef Mascia’s reputation for celebrating Italy’s outstanding culinary tradition through full of flavour classics with seasonal colours that are sure to impress.
Dinner by Italian Chef Massimiliano Mascia, Oct 5 & 6, 7pm onwards (last seating at 11.30pm), Encore Restaurant, Core Social Wellness Club, Diplomatic Quarter, Al Safarat, Riyadh 12512. Tel: 050 801 9750. @encorerestaurants
Images: Social / Provided