20 fun things to do in Riyadh this Eid Al-Adha weekend
Enjoy the long break, folks…
Get ready for the extra-long weekend with plenty of unmissable events and experiences around the capital. We’ve included things to do from Thursday June 13 to Wednesday June 19 to conclude the Eid Al-Adha break on a high.
Here is our shortlist of 20 fun things to do in Riyadh this long Eid Al-Adha weekend.
Thursday June 13
Enjoy the summer lunch menu at Agio
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Located at The Canopy, Amalfi Coast-inspired gem Agio is Riyadh’s love letter to the Mediterranean coastlines. If you’re looking to try out the food at this Italian restaurant, the set lunch is the perfect opportunity. For just SAR125 per person, it includes homemade ice cream, the perfect treat for the summer heat.
Agio, The Canopy, Northern Ring Rd, Hittin, Riyadh 13512. Summer Menu is available from Sun to Thurs 1pm to 6pm. Tel: 9200 13860. @agiosaudi
It’s the last day of the Riyadh Summer Exhibition
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This exciting event brings to life a unique concept, inviting guests to enjoy live entertainment and indulge in a little retail therapy at the same time. The inaugural Riyadh Summer Exhibition showcases local retailers, featuring clothes, jewellery, fragrances, and more, catering to various tastes and styles. Live entertainment and fashion shows add some atmosphere, infusing the afternoon with energy and excitement.
Riyadh Summer, until June 13, 4pm to midnight, ROSHN Front Exhibition & Conference Centre. SAR75 per person and tickets can be purchased here. @riyadh.summer.event
Keep cool with Flamingo Room’s mocktails
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To help you get some relief from the sweltering heat, Flamingo Room at Bujairi Terrace welcomes a menu of fruity mocktails and flavourful creations. Enjoy them with the restaurant’s new summery dishes, like the white fish ceviche or the innovative butternut squash carpaccio – ideal for sharing during the long summer evenings. What’s more, you’ll be able to catch live performances on the Flamingo Room rooftop on June 13, featuring Nawaf, a member of the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, from 8pm to 10pm and Composer Shadi Al Harbi from 10pm to midnight. So, come for the mocktails, stay for an absolute treat for the ears.
Flamingo Room, Bujairi Terrace, Sun to Thurs 6pm to 1am, Fri & Sat 2pm to 1am. @flamingoroomksa
Party it up with Dish Dash
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The countdown to a long break has officially begun. Get ready to party all night long with local heroes Dish Dash, who will be performing their signature mesmerising sounds at Beast House private members’ club. Trust us when we say the vibe, atmosphere, and talent here make this one of the hottest gig venues in the city.
Beast House, June 13, 9pm to 3am, Beast House, J12, JAX District, Riyadh 13732. The price starts from SAR250 per person and can be purchased here. @_beasthouse
Friday June 14
Explore Saudi Arabia through its food
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If you haven’t heard, there’s a brand-new Friday Brunch at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh’s La Brasserie, encompassing Saudi Arabia’s rich and vast culinary heritage. Showcasing authentic dishes from all 13 provinces, amid an array of traditional artworks and live Arabic entertainment, this culinary first in Riyadh promises to transport guests across every corner of the Kingdom. Diners can look forward to a menu that reflects each dish’s cultural and historical significance. This includes Margoog from Riyadh, Hasawi Rice from Eastern, and Samak Mkashan from Jazan. Guests will receive a welcoming drink of Zamzam Water with Taif Rose from Mecca, before indulging in a selection of sweet treats such as Ajwa Date Cake and Kleeja. The brunch also features interactive stations, international selections and a special kids menu.
13 Regions Brunch, every Fri 1pm to 5pm, La Brasserie, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh. SAR397 for adults & SAR198 for children aged seven to 12. Tel: 011 273 2005. @mo_alfaisaliah
Catch the Euro 2024 action at Bujairi Terrace
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Calling all sports fans. From Friday June 14 to Monday June 17, Bujairi Terrace will stream all Euro 2024 football games, including matches from national teams such as Germany, Spain, Italy, and England. Bujairi Terrace is already a brilliant dining destination with great eats and views. Throw in some high-octane, European football action, and you have the perfect mix.
Saturday June 15
Turkish breakfast, anyone?
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Get ready to be transported to the Turkish homely kitchens with an open oven bakery table, letting the warm, freshly baked smell of bread dance around the room, and Turkish breakfast specialities at Rüya. Available at SAR158 per person, all tables will be presented with unlimited baskets of hot freshly baked Sourdough, accompanied by Lavash, Simit and a spread of Turkish Cheeses, including Erzincan Tulum, Aged Goat Cheese, Kashar Cheese and Exine White Cheese. Diners can also enjoy a selection of breakfast condiments, including Butter, Kars Honeycomb and Kaymak, Marinated Olives, Tomatoes and Cucumber Crudites and Toasted Sesame Seeds and Sahine – making for a true Turkish feast.
Turkish Breakfast at Rüya Riyadh, every Sat 10am to 4pm. Tel: 9200 10692. @ruya_riyadh
Watch the latest flick
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The first cinema operator in Saudi Arabia, AMC Cinemas has some of the comfiest seats in the city and a great range of snacks and drinks on offer. We’re particularly fond of its weekend super saver, where you can enjoy a large popcorn, a soft drink and a ticket starting from SAR65. If you still haven’t caught the world’s favourite Bad Boys, they’re back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your-seat action and outrageous comedy, but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run. Or create new core memories with the family this weekend as Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley. She is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions.
AMC Cinemas, various locations, including Panorama Mall and Riyadh Gallery. Visit: AMCCinemas.com
Speed into a world of immersive racing
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Are you ready for a thrilling adventure? Hop into an electric kart and race around the track while interacting with virtual game elements projected on the track. BattleKart combines video gaming, augmented reality, and go-karting to create one unforgettable experience.
BattleKart Riyadh, 2pm to 2am, 3112 Al Bahar Al Arabi, Ishbiliyah, Riyadh 13226. The ticket is priced at SAR120 per person and can be purchased here. @battlekart_ruh
Sunday June 16
Eid Mubarak
Eid Al-Adha in Saudi Arabia is a time of joy and celebration, offering something for everyone. Planning on sticking around in Riyadh? You can enjoy cultural performances, festive feasts, and fireworks at Boulevard City and Via Riyadh at 9pm.
Pause, refresh and take a break
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A snapshot from this mountainside dome tent will have your friends and family (and social media followers) asking where it is. Just around an hour away from Riyadh’s bustling city centre, tucked between the peaks of Tuwaiq mountains, lies this charming enclave, and it’s called Pauseaway at Tuwaiq House for a reason: inviting you to unplug for a while. Have a swim at the private pool, go horse riding, watch the sunset and savour the views, gaze at the stars, or retreat into your bubble for a snooze on the comfy bed. Here, it’s all about disconnecting and being one with the nature that surrounds you.
Pauseaway at Tuwaiq House, Old Dirab Rd, Riyadh 14958. Rates start from SAR1,152 per night including breakfast. @pauseaway
Monday June 17
Grab a cuppa at Lavazza Coffee Design
Lavazza Coffee Design had us at hello, thanks in part to its contemporary design and chic Milanese interior, which sits pretty within the vibrant culinary enclave of Laysen Valley. But the real star of the show is the coffee experience here, which features the exclusive Lavazza’s premium 1895 coffee collection. Bonus points: Lavazza Coffee Design doubles as a café, complete with a table service area. The menu, ranging from breakfast and savoury dishes to irresistible desserts, is curated by acclaimed Italian Chef Igor Macchia. Drawing inspiration from global influences, Chef Igor infuses his signature dishes and brews with Middle Eastern tastes and flavours, making them ideal for pairing with 1895 premium coffee.
Lavazza Coffee Design, Laysen Valley, Salem Bin Abi Baker Shikhan St., Building 30, Riyadh. @lavazzasaudi
Check out the WWE Experience at BLVD City
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Wrestling fans can check out the WWE Experience, where you’ll find yourself immersed in a variety of themed rooms, each telling a unique story through historical photos, and a life-sized wrestling ring. There will also be a dedicated area paying homage to The Undertaker. Stepping into this section feels like entering a graveyard-themed sanctuary dedicated to the iconic wrestler.
WWE Experience, BLVD City, 5pm to midnight. The ticket starts from SAR75 and can be purchased here. @riyadhseason
Hang out at Level Up
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Looking for a fun thing to do with your best buds on a day out in Riyadh? Check out Level Up. Big on community-building, the venue offers board game experiences and gaming consoles, or you can head upstairs where you’ll find a VR room, a group therapy room where you can watch movies and TV shows with your friends, and so much more.
LVL UP social club, Hittin, Sun to Wed 4pm to midnight, Thu 11am to 12.30am, Fri 12.30pm to 1.30am, Sat 11am to 12.30pm. @lvlupsocialhub
Tuesday June 18
Explore Ushaiqer Heritage Village
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Take a scenic drive to the Ushaiqer heritage village, a stunning example of Najdi architecture. This village, over a thousand years old, was a key stop for pilgrims heading to Makkah. Walk through narrow alleys, explore ancient mosques, and visit a private antique collection. End the tour with a panoramic view of the village and a delicious Arabian lunch at a traditional restaurant before heading back to Riyadh.
Full Day Ushayger Tour with Lunch, June 18, 10am to 6pm. Book your spot here. SAR967.71 for adults & SAR676.64 for children between three and 11 years old.
Score a strike at Go Bowling
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With bowling, laser tag, arcade games, a full menu and more, you’ll want to plan an entire day here. This indoor family-friendly spot is home to a six-lane bowling alley and is priced at SAR60 per person per game. We reckon your kids will love this place so much that you may end up planning their next birthday soiree here.
Go Bowling, Makan Mall, Prince Muhammad Ibn Saad Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Al Malqa, Riyadh 11564, Sun to Wed 3pm to 11pm, Thurs 3pm to 1am, Fri 4pm to 1am & Sat 4pm to 11pm. SAR60 per person per game of bowling. Tel: 053 355 0212.
Wednesday June 19
Get cracking and drink
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Assuming you’ve not been living under a rock for the past month, you’ll have heard of ‘Cracked’ – Drip’s signature drink that’s taken Riyadh by storm. Think cups coated with dark chocolate, and all you have to do is crack the cup and enjoy a burst of flavours of coffee and chocolate topped with extra chocolate flakes. Of course, the flavour hits the mark, too.
Drip Coffee, various locations, including Olaya Street. @dripcoffeesa
Experience true zen at this new Thai spa
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No one would know that hidden all the way out at the InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort & Spa lies luxe Thai wellness brand, HARNN Heritage Spa, a calm haven to totally unwind in. Escape Riyadh’s frantic energy and crowds and head down to Banban to fully immerse yourself in the state-of-the-art spa. The best part? It has a mixed gender gym and indoor pools although treatment rooms are still separate for male and female.
HARNN Heritage Spa, InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort & Spa, District Durrat Arriyadh Area, Banban, Riyadh 11566. Tel: 011 411 8800. @intercontinentaldurratalriyadh
Visit the ‘Perfumes of the East’ exhibition
The ‘Perfumes of the East’ exhibition has made its first international stop in Riyadh. Unfolding through three distinct spaces at the National Museum – from the raw beauty of nature to bustling town streets and the setting of a private home, the exhibition enables visitors to experience the evolution of perfume-making through a blend of historical treasures and modern artistic expressions.
Perfumes of the East, until Sept 14, Mon to Wed & Sat 9am to 6pm, Thurs 9am to 9pm & Fri 2pm to 9pm, National Museum. Tickets are priced at SAR29 and can be purchased here. @mocsaudi
Eat to the beat
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Dinner at Scott’s has now gone up several octaves. If you love a side of entertainment while dining, you can check out a live jazz band every Wednesday and Friday from 8pm. The fine musicianship deserves as much attention as the enticing summer menu, which starts from just SAR150.
Scott’s, Via Riyadh, Sun to Thurs 6pm to midnight, Fri & Sat 1pm to midnight. @scotts.saudi
Images: Social