12 amazing things to do in Riyadh this weekend: April 18 to 20
Hello, weekend…
Get ready to strap in for another busy weekend with plenty of unmissable events and experiences around the capital. Here is our shortlist of 12 amazing things to do in Riyadh this weekend.
Thursday April 18
Celebrate golf and more at the 2024 Saudi Open
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Experience golf and more across four action-packed days at the 2024 Saudi Open presented by PIF. Expect plenty of family fun with an array of activities in the fan zone, from hitting cages to putting challenges and a dedicated kids’ play area. Plus, you can enjoy a sunset session with a live DJ every day from 4pm until late, complete with henna artists, fire shows, and various food and beverage offerings. Looking to purchase local goods like textiles and jewellery? There’s also a Sajah Market, which opens at 4pm onwards.
The 2024 Saudi Open Presented By PIF, Apr 17 to 20, Riyadh Golf Club. General admission tickets start from SAR50 and can be purchased here. @thesaudiopen
Get a taste of Swiss music at this free concert
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For all you cultural music lovers, the one-night-only free concert by Swiss artists Marc Aymon and Milla Besson is an excellent introduction to Swiss music. Their performance in Riyadh will feature their joint project “Glaneurs”, a compilation of 15 Swiss poems and songs which showcase the Swiss cultural heritage. Organised by the Swiss Embassy in Riyadh – in cooperation with the French Embassy and Alliance Française – as part of the Francophonie festival, celebrating the French language and Francophonie cultures, the event aims to showcase French-language Swiss music.
Swiss Francophonie Concert: Marc Aymon & Milla, Apr 18, 8pm to 9.30pm, Cultural Palace, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh. @swissembassyksa
An electrifying night out at Techno Lab
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Whether you’re a techno enthusiast or just looking for a unique night out, experience the heart of electronic music with two iconic DJs: DJ Zeena and DJ Kriis, spinning the decks and taking you on a journey through sound.
Techno Lab, Apr 18 & 20, 8pm to 2am, Merwas Rooftop, Boulevard Riyadh City. Tickets start from SAR100 and can be purchased here. @anghamilabriyadh
Cinema Nights at the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024
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Curious about moths? “Nocturnes”, directed by Anirban Dutta and Anupama Srinivasan, is a captivating documentary about moths that reveals climate concerns and expresses a multi-millennia vision of time nearly beyond our perception.
Cinema Nights: Nocturnes, Apr 18, 9pm to 11pm, Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024, Auditorium, JAX District. Book your tickets here. @biennale_sa
Friday April 19
Check out the biggest-ever equestrian show
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Hold on to your saddles. For the first time in the Middle East, the Kingdom is hosting the 2024 FEI World Cup Finals for Show Jumping and Dressage at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The tournament will witness the participation of the best riders in the world. Reigning champions and World No.1s Henrik von Eckermann and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, as well as home favourite Abdullah Alsharbatly, are among the talents. Full passes for the remaining days of the competition are still available, as well as tickets for each individual day. Fans can also check out the premium hospitality options on offer.
2024 FEI World Cup Finals, Apr 17 to 20, 4pm to midnight, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre. SAR100 per person for the grandstand general admission tickets and they can be purchased here. @feiwcriyadh
Watch the Al-Nassr vs Al-Faiha
Football fans, this one’s for you. Top-flight games are on this weekend, with Al-Nassr Club going head-to-head against Al-Faiha Club in Round 28 of the Roshn Saudi League at the iconic Alawwal Park Stadium. As two of Saudi Arabia’s top teams collide, expect nothing less than an unforgettable spectacle that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final whistle blows.
SPL 28 : Al-Nassr vs Al-Faiha, Apr 19, Kickoff at 6pm (Gates open at 4pm), Alawwal Park Stadium. Tickets start from SAR35 and can be purchased here.
The perfect mates for dates
Savour the sweet dates harvested from the valleys of Ghubaira, Al Balida, Qulaiqel, and Al Moghaisbi. Pair them with delicious different condiments from cheeses like French Brie and Italian Mascarpone, meats like Naimi shanks, as well as various types of nuts. You’ll also learn about date products like molasses, pickled dates, jam, and butter infused with dates and black pepper, and experience a sweet send-off of date ice cream. Bring your appetite; this isn’t merely a tasting. It’s a full-blown culinary experience.
Date Pairing, Apr 19, 7pm to 10pm, Diriyah Biennale Foundation, Atrium. SAR100 per person and you can book your spot here. @biennale_sa
Dance the night away at the Mazzika Night
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Head to the Merwas Rooftop in Boulevard Riyadh City for a spellbinding mix of Arabic and English dance music by DJ Eli. The night promises an unforgettable blend of rhythms and beats. So, get ready to get your groove on.
Mazzika Night, Apr 19, 8pm to 2am, Merwas Rooftop, Boulevard Riyadh City. Tickets start from SAR99 and can be purchased here. @anghamilabriyadh
Attend a Taylor Swift listening party
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Swifties, this one’s for you. Happening on Friday April 19 at Riyadh’s newest social club, Level Up, the listening party will celebrate Taylor Swift’s new album release, ‘The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD)’. You’ll be given the TTPD tracklist, so you can share your thoughts for each track after they’ve been played. The best part? There’s a chance for you to win a TTPD-themed friendship bracelet.
Taylor Swift Listening Party in Riyadh, Apr 19, 8pm, Lvl Up Social Club. SAR75 per person and can be purchased at Lvl Up. @lvlupsocialhub, @ts.nights
Prepare to have your funny bone tickled
Get ready to laugh at One Mic, the ultimate weekly stand-up comedy show featuring Saudi Arabia’s local talents. Prepare for an evening filled with hilarious Arabic punchlines, witty observations, and side-splitting humour that will leave you in stitches.
One Mic: Stand Up Comedy Show, Apr 19, 8.45pm, One Mic, 6745 Anas Ibn Malik Rd, Al Malqa, 4288, Riyadh 13524. SAR100 per person and tickets can be purchased here. @onemicsa
Saturday April 20
Check out the newly opened Jon & Vinny’s
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LA’s favourite casual Italian spot, Jon & Vinny’s, has just opened in Riyadh’s As Sulimaniyah district for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Expect a cosy and minimalist aesthetic featuring sleek blonde wood seating, with pops of green and their branded display of pizza boxes to grace the new Riyadh establishment. Forgoing fancy or fiddly Italian dishes, you can look forward to their famous wood-fired pizzas made with 48-hour fermented dough, and American-inspired classics like hearty Chicken Parmigiana.
Jon & Vinny’s Riyadh, daily 8am to midnight, The Elite, Al Dabbab Street, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12234. Tel: 9200 18212. @jonandvinnys.ksa
Get your golden on
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If you’re interested in learning about painting or improving your painting skills, this workshop by accomplished artist Maru Prats is ideal for you. The afternoon will take you through painting exercises and you will learn how to apply gold leaves and gold paint to your works.
Painting Workshop, Apr 20, 5pm to 7pm, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh. Register here. SAR300 per person. Suitable for adults and kids above six years old. @alliancefrancaise_ksa
Images: Instagram