12 things to look forward to in Saudi Arabia this March 2024
Check out amazing parties, sporting and art events and much more…
Just like that, a new month comes marching right in… (see what we just did there?). March will mark International Women’s Day. And what better way to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women than by partaking in the third edition of the Kingdom’s first-ever navigation rally for women? Of course, more than anything else, we want to be back at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to watch the highly anticipated F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The month also marks the start of Ramadan, the first in about two decades that it will fall during the winter season. Wondering what else is in store? Here are 12 things to look forward to in Saudi Arabia this March.
March 1: Rave in the ruins of an abandoned hospital
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Nightlife institution MDLBeast knows just how to turn mundane spaces into epic rave fests. Enter ERGA, where you can rave in the ruins of the now-defunct Irqah Hospital in Riyadh. It’s an audio-visual spectacular where the music takes you on a mental sonic trip across various sounds and styles. Featuring two separate dance floors known as The Ward and The ER, its location is the most dystopian one ever seen. Headlining on Friday March 1 will be DJs Magdalena, Shaque, Tjizza, Dabous, and Saoud. Get ready to be warded and pump up the volume for some sick beats.
ERGA, Mar 1, 9pm to 2am, Irqah Hospital, Riyadh 12586. The ticket price starts from SAR149 and can be purchased here. @mdlbeast
Until March 2: Get excited for the first tournament of the 2024 Premier Padel season
The Riyadh Season P1 Premiere Padel tournament, marking its first appearance in Riyadh, is set to be a highlight in the padel world. It brings together the best players globally, promising a week of top-tier competition and thrilling matches. This event, part of the Riyadh Season, signifies a major push to elevate padel’s profile both regionally and internationally. The schedule for the Riyadh Season P1 Premier Padel Tournament can be found here.
Riyadh Season P1 Premier Padel Tournament, Feb 26 to Mar 2, Padel Rush, Hittin, Riyadh 13516. The tickets start from SAR20 and can be purchased here. @riyadhseason
Until March 2: The Clash is coming to Riyadh this weekend
All the best to all the participants of SandClash 2024, a thrilling three-day fitness competition taking place at The Arena. Featuring the highest number of athletes ever, new competing divisions, and bigger rewards, the weekend promises an exhilarating blend of competition, entertainment, and vendors from around the world. Meanwhile, for those interested in coming down and supporting your friends or just wanting to get into the vibe, tickets are still available.
SandClash 2024 in Riyadh, Feb 29 to Mar 2, The Arena, Granada, Riyadh. The tickets start from SAR30 and can be purchased here. @sandclash.ksa
March 1 to 3: LIV Golf Jeddah is back
The highly anticipated LIV Golf Jeddah returns to the Middle East, promising an extraordinary experience at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. The event will once again bring global golf superstars to Saudi Arabia, captivating fans of all ages with a perfect blend of world-class golf and off-course entertainment in the vibrant King Abdullah Economic City. Don’t miss the Fan Village, featuring a fun kids’ zone, golf-themed games, interactive activities, and live action on large video screens, as well as the LIV Golf Beach Club, back by popular demand.
LIV Golf Jeddah, Mar 1 to 3, Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City. The tickets start from SAR111 and can be purchased here. @livgolf_league
March 4 to 8: Buckle up for the Rally Jameel 2024
Rally Jameel, Saudi’s first-ever all-women navigation rally, is returning to the Kingdom for the third consecutive year, coinciding with International Women’s Day. With over 100 participants from 36 countries, including 22 local teams, this year’s rally offers a journey through Saudi Arabia’s most picturesque cities. Covering a distance of 1,600 kilometres, Rally Jameel will start from Hail to King Abdullah Economic City and pass through AlUla, Umluj, and lastly, Yanbu.
Rally Jameel, Mar 4 to 8. @rallyjameel
March 7: Party it up at Anghami Lab with DJ Juliet Fox
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Still have yet to check out Anghami Lab, the rooftop entertainment venue at Boulevard City in Riyadh? Here’s your last chance to do so as it’s wrapping up the season with ‘Resonance’, an event in collaboration with Madhaūs. Headlining the March 7 bash is global sensation Juliet Fox, who will make her debut in Saudi Arabia. A force to be reckoned with in the techno realm, Juliet Fox has conquered dance floors worldwide with sold-out performances at renowned venues and festivals, including Printworks London, DGTL, and Tomorrowland. Fresh off her Australia tour alongside legend Carl Cox, Juliet is set to unleash her signature madness in Riyadh. Joining her are Madhaūs’ resident maestros Moses and Noa, ready to enchant with their exquisite sounds, plus regional star Julian Mesa and rising talent Mania.
Resonance featuring Juliet Fox, Mar 7, 9pm to 3am, Anghami Lab, Fountain Gate, Boulevard City, Riyadh. Tickets can be purchased here. SAR400 per person. @therealmadhaus
March 7 to 9: Prepare for an action-packed race weekend in Jeddah
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The pinnacle of motorsport will be returning to Jeddah, home of the world’s fastest street circuit. Expect a full three-day programme both on and off track that will appeal to sport and entertainment seekers alike. Look forward to epic concerts with headliners, including Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, DJs Martin Garrix and Fisher. This year’s event will also see a change to its previous weekend format, with the Grand Prix taking place on Saturday night in order to avoid a clash with the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024, Mar 7 to 9, Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The ticket price starts from SAR100 and can be purchased here. @saudiarabiangp
March 8: Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou confirmed for rumble in Riyadh
Brace yourself for an adrenaline-fueled spectacle at the Knockout Chaos Boxing event, where the world’s fiercest champions collide. Anthony Joshua will fight Francis Ngannou in a 10-round boxing match, taking place in Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena. Why you should watch it? Both fighters are ranked in the WBC’s Top Ten, making a Joshua vs Ngannou showdown appealing to boxing and MMA fans worldwide. The winner could position themselves for a future bout against the victor of Fury versus Usyk. Get ready to rumble.
Knockout Chaos Boxing, Mar 8, Kingdom Arena, Riyadh. The tickets start from SAR80 and can be purchased here. @riyadhseason
Until March 9: Be dazzled by colourful flowers at the Yanbu Flower Festival
Who would have thought the mundane industrial city of Yanbu would become the largest open-air flower garden in the Kingdom? Welcome to the Yanbu Flower and Garden Festival, a mesmerising show of colourful blooming spectacle. Alongside the stunning flowers decorating the landscape, visitors can check out the bird and butterfly gardens, a recycling garden, and a strawberry farm. The festival is guaranteed to be a visual feast – perfect for the ‘Gram.
Yanbu Flower and Garden Festival 2024, until Mar 9, 5pm to 11pm, Celebration Park, Yanbu Industrial City. The ticket is priced at SAR11.50 and can be purchased here. Yanbuflowerfestival.com
From March 11 (TBC): Ramadan Kareem
Muslims worldwide will soon begin preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, as the expected start date is less than two weeks away. This year, Ramadan is predicted to begin on or around March 11, subject to the moon sighting. Iftar, the evening meal to break the fast, and Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, are cherished moments during Ramadan, and Saudi Arabia takes these meals to a grand level. From high-end luxury Iftars and exclusive Ramadan tents to local markets offering traditional delicacies, there’s something for every palate. Keep a look out for our Iftar and Suhoor guide.
From March 13: Enjoy Ramadan Nights at Hayy Jameel
The inaugural Ramadan Nights at Hayy Jameel brings a diverse programme of workshops, film screenings, eateries and shopping opportunities celebrating the essence of community, culture and wellbeing. For culture lovers, explore Hayy Markets for a spot of retail therapy and support Jeddah creative entrepreneurs, showcasing artisanal crafts and products inspired by local tradition and heritage. There will also be an array of local food and beverages, children’s activities, film screenings, games, performances, sound healing, poetry and storytelling sessions.
Ramadan Nights, Mar 13 to Apr 4, Hayy Jameel, Jeddah. Free and open to the public, but registration may be required for some activities. @hayyjameel
Until March 23: Dive into Desert X AlUla 2024
The international open-air art exhibition Desert X AlUla returns for its third edition. It runs until Saturday March 23, placing visionary contemporary artworks by Saudi and international artists amidst the extraordinary desert landscape of AlUla. This year’s exhibition features 15 newly commissioned artworks under the ‘In the Presence of Absence’ theme. Often dismissed as spaces of emptiness, deserts are rendered mute and static, but there is much more than meets the eye. Through the artwork, the artists of Desert X AlUla ask, “What cannot be seen?” and invite spectators to explore the stories that lurk within the dunes of AlUla.
Desert X AlUla 2024, until Mar 23, 10.30am to 6.30pm. Free entry, but you need to book your day pass here. @_desertx
Images: Instagram / What’s On Archives