8 brilliant things to do in Riyadh this weekend: August 3 to 5
Your weekend plans sorted…
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 an art exhibition and concerts to family-friendly activities, here’s our list of eight brilliant things to do this weekend.
Thursday August 3
Check out Misk Art Institute’s Summer exhibition
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We love ourselves some art here in Riyadh, and Misk Art Institute is one of the best places to check some out. Taking place until August 31, the Summer 2023 exhibition will be showcasing works from 33 visual artists from all over Saudi Arabia, exploring on the theme of ‘Tradition’ through paintings, photography, drawing, and sculptures. This exhibition presents works that express an aspect of society’s culture that – despite the influences of modern life – has been preserved and passed down from one generation to another. From nationally recognised cultural events to intimate traditional practices that are passed down through families, each artist represents their own version of tradition.
Misk Art Week’s Summer exhibition, until Aug 31, Sat to Thurs 10am to 4pm, Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall. miskartinstitute.org
A new era of the rave underground
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Practice your best dance moves and head down to Alammariah Hills for a wonderful weekend out on the town. Happening on Thursday August 3 and Friday August 4, immerse yourself in the world of electronic music with YellowPlus. The rave fest will be headlined by Øostil, a Mexico-based musical artist known for his melodic techno-inspired music, and 8Kays, who’s already made waves with releases on renowned labels like Blaufield Music. They’ll be hitting the stage alongside local artists like Dish Dash, JEME, Melon, RDJ, Virgo, Darkodelix, and Narkbeat.
YellowPlus, Aug 3 & 4, 8pm to 3.30am, Alammariah Hills, Riyadh 13725. Book your tickets here. The ticket price starts from SAR350. @yellowplus_sa
Friday August 4
Try the summer menu at Urth Caffe
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You can’t talk about cafés and coffee shops in Riyadh without mentioning one of its most popular places: Urth Caffé. It is the kind of light airy spot where chill vibes abound and where you could spend hours watching life go by. There are few things better than a place with brilliant matcha drinks (Fun fact: Urth Caffé is the first place in Saudi Arabia to introduce matcha) and good WiFi, and Urth Caffé understands that better than most. They even take things one step further with a mini library of curated books and zines so you can take a break from your phone and read something new. If you get peckish, this cafe offers an assortment of nice brunch items, including paninis, avocado toast, and an array of colourful baked goods and pastries. We recommend trying out their Breakfast Pie or Truffle Scramble from the new summer menu.
Urth Caffe, various locations, Riyadh. @urthcaffesaudi
A day of fun and amusement at Planet X
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You’ll feel like you’re stepping into a whole other world at this state-of-the-art, multi-function entertainment centre. PlanetX doesn’t disappoint with its selection of games and attractions, catering to different age groups, from the young to the young at heart. Think VR games for when you want to escape reality, cracking the code under pressure in the exciting escape rooms, and thrilling rounds of arcade games to keep you entertained all day long.
Planet X, The Zone, Gate 2, 3422 Khalifah Ibn Badi, Al Mohammadiyyah, 7326, Riyadh 12364, daily 4pm to midnight. @planetx.sa
Get ready to slither and sway with DJ Snake
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French music producer and DJ Snake is a crowd favourite in Riyadh and is headed back to the capital, as part of the Gamers8 concerts, so get ready to bust a move. He will be joining Saudi DJ Omar Basaad, Cheb Khaled, an Algerian raï singer, musician and songwriter, and Egyptian singer Ahmed Saad on the weekend’s music line-up, taking place at Mohammed Abdo Arena in the Boulevard Riyadh City.
Gamers8 Concerts, 6pm onwards, Mohammed Abdo Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City, Riyadh. The price starts from SAR199. Book your tickets here. @gamers8_ar
Saturday August 5
An immersive Peaky Blinders experience
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Running only for the month of August, Gamers8: The Land of Heroes features an exclusive immersive experience ‘Peaky Blinders: The Rise!’. Come and join boss Tommy Shelby as he personally invites you to his family’s Camden warehouse to share an expansion plan that could prove lucrative for everyone. Whether you’re Team Poly, Team Arthur, or Team Mick, choose your storyline for an incredible Peaky Blinders experience. And remember: Don’t mess with the Peaky Blinders…
Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, Boulevard Riyadh City, 6pm, 8.30pm & 11pm. The price starts from SAR60. Book your tickets here. @gamers8_ar
Beat the heat with these refreshing drinks
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At Elemental, you’ll find plenty of new summer drinks to sip all season long. Some of our favourites include the non-alcoholic gin-based Get Figgy With It, which gets a subtle earthy and sweet flavour from the homemade vanilla fig syrup, and the Riyadh Mule infused with Saudi coffee. The Watermelon Nogroni is also a great way to shake up an old classic.
Elemental, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12241, daily 5pm to 2am. @elemental.ksa
Check into this utterly blissful spa
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Part of the exclusive members-only Core Social Wellness Club in the Diplomatic Quarter, CORE Spa is just as fab as its wellness counterpart. Plus, the spa is now open to the public. Come for its cool, state-of-the-art interiors, and stay for an endless list of perfectly divine treatments for your hair, feet, nails and body. While you’re at it, why not sign up for CORE’s One Day Spa Wellness Membership available for both ladies and gents? At SAR1,045 (excluding VAT), you’ll have full access to the vitality pool, swimming pool, steam room, sauna and relaxation room. Book a facial by the world-renowned Biologique Recherche or go for a Swedish full-body massage. Oh yes, CORE Spa has got it all… head to the ENCORE restaurant or the tea lounge for a post-spa brunch.
CORE Spa, Core Social Wellness Club, Diplomatic Quarter, Al Safarat, Riyadh 12512, Sat to Thurs 6am to 11pm & Fri 2pm to 11pm. Tel: 9200 01223. @core.riyadh
Images: Instagram