18 wonderful things to do in Riyadh this weekend: July 11 to 13
Have a good one…
Get ready to strap in for another busy weekend with plenty of unmissable events and experiences around the capital. Here is our shortlist of 18 wonderful things to do in Riyadh this weekend.
Thursday July 11
Refreshing watermelon drinks that are pure bliss on a hot day
View this post on Instagram
The weather is heating up, so cool down with one of Melonation’s refreshing watermelon drinks. Admire the vibrant décor as you sip on the delicious watermelon slushies at this hidden gem in Hittin. Need a boost of energy? We recommend trying the watermelon and Red Bull drink.
Melonation, 3651 Prince Faisal Ibn Abdulrahman, Hittin, 7630, Riyadh 13518, daily noon to 1am. @melonation.co
A fun-filled cooking masterclass for kids
This summer, Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences is organising kid’s cooking classes at its all-day dining restaurant, Jones the Grocer. Let your kids explore, create, learn, and make a mess while having fun. They’ll be baking cookies on July 11, making French toast on July 18, flipping pancakes on July 25, and making good ol’ spaghetti and meatballs on August 1.
Little Chef’s Kitchen, July 11, 18 and 25 & Aug 1, 5pm to 6pm, Jones the Grocer Ramla Terraza, 7713 King Fahd Rd, As Sahafah, Riyadh 13321. SAR180 per child. To register, email [email protected] Suitable for ages five and above. @fairmontramla
Stop searching; here’s the best empanada
View this post on Instagram
There’s nothing like a hot, fresh empanada straight out of the oven. In celebration of Argentinian National Day, Bianca presents savoury empanadas, stuffed with your choice of beef, chicken, or veal ham and cheese, wrapped in a flaky, golden crust for SAR60.
Bianca Bakery & Restaurant, Via Riyadh, Makkah Al Mukarramah Rd, Al Hada, Riyadh 12912, Thurs to Sat 9am to midnight, Sun to Wed 3pm to midnight. Available until July 13. @bianca.saudi
Check out the Esports World Cup action
Gaming fans can look forward to another series of epic matches locked in across Week 2 of the Esports World Cup. Among those awaiting attendees and global audiences is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. After four days of group stage action last week, the $3 million competition enters the knockouts with eight teams in quarter-final action on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the latter stages. Another competition is the Dota2 Riyadh Masters. With the play-in stage concluded, two groups of eight teams will battle it out in a best-of-2 round-robin format from Wednesday to Sunday, with play-off places at stake. These tournaments top the Esports World Cup Week 2 bill alongside Free Fire. The $1 million tournament runs daily, concluding with the Grand Final on Sunday July 14.
Esports World Cup, until Aug 25, Boulevard Riyadh City. Book your tickets here. @ewc_en
Attend a dreamy Candlelight Concert
View this post on Instagram
Candlelight concerts have mesmerised more than three million people worldwide. So why not check one out in Riyadh? Relax to the soothing sounds of Hans Zimmer’s Best Works in a unique and enchanting setting as The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh’s ballroom is lit up by hundreds of candles.
Candlelight: Hans Zimmer’s Best Works, July 11, 7pm & 9pm, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. Tickets are priced at SAR375 for Zone A, SAR325 for Zone B & SAR275 for Zone C, and they can be purchased here. @candlelight.concerts
Get ready for AFT_r, the Esports World Cup aftershow
View this post on Instagram
Calling all party people. Head to Mohammed Abdo Arena for AFT_r, the Esports World Cup (EWC) after-party. Enjoy international, regional, and local artists every week after the Esports World Cup competitions. Join us on Thursday July 11 on the dancefloor and catch Wiz Khalifa, R3hab, and NileBoi.
AFT_r, 8.30pm, Mohammed Abdo Arena, Boulevard Riyadh City. Tickets cost SAR149 and can be purchased here. @mdlbeast
Here’s introducing speed friending
View this post on Instagram
Want to make new friends? Connect with new people and have meaningful conversations at ‘Strange Supper’. Organised by Bauhaus Social, ‘Strange Supper’ is a once-a-month meeting where they explore restaurants in the city, offering a unique dining experience each time. You will be seated at a table with strangers and provided with cards containing interesting questions to help spark engaging conversations while enjoying your dinner. On July 11, the event will take place at the Japanese restaurant Ki, which promotes itself as an offline experience to emphasise the importance of direct, face-to-face interactions without the distractions of modern technology.
Strange Supper, July 11, 9pm, Ki Restaurant. DM @bauhaus_sc to book your spot.
Party it up with Saudi’s finest at Beast House
View this post on Instagram
The countdown to the weekend has officially begun… and tonight at Beast House will be off the charts. Tonight, Bucky Grooves is set to take to the stage with his captivating electro sets, followed by Soul and his soulful house sounds, and Blacky, master of genre-defying eclectic mixes. Trust us when we say the vibe, atmosphere, and talent here make this one of the hottest gig venues in the city.
Beast House, July 11, 9pm to 3am, Beast House, J12, JAX District, Riyadh 13732. The price starts from SAR250 per person and can be purchased here. @_beasthouse
Friday July 12
Dine at Les Deux Magots
View this post on Instagram
This bolthole, in the heart of Via Riyadh, is a delightful French restaurant packed to the rafters with charm, romance and atmosphere. In celebration of the French National Day, indulge in its special three-course set menu, which includes Salade Deux Magots with tender chicken breasts paired with hard-boiled quail eggs, and the Cordon Bleu purée de pomme de terre, stuffed chicken breast served with creamy potato. End your meal on a sweet note with the beautiful Millefeuille tricolore, representing the colours of the French flag.
Les Deux Magots, Via Riyadh, daily 1pm to 2am. Set menu is priced at SAR150 per person. @lesduexmagots.sa
Speed into a world of immersive racing
View this post on Instagram
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
The best Arab fighters collide
View this post on Instagram
Let’s get ready to rumble. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) Regular Season MENA is back in Riyadh with lightweights and heavyweights taken to the cage. This event features the best Arab fighters, with seven Middle East Champions competing for a shot at the PFL MENA belt. The stacked card will also see the return of Hattan Al Saif, who became an instant sensation following her impressive KO, and Saudi MMA legend Mostafa Nada. Snag your tickets before they sell out.
Professional Fighters League in Riyadh, July 12, 5.30pm, The Green Halls, Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Ar Rafiah, Riyadh 12752. Tickets can be purchased here. SAR50 for Bronze, SAR80 for Silver, SAR200 for Floor Gold, and SAR400 for Floor Platinum & Front Row. @pflmena
DIY paint your own fluid art balloon dog
View this post on Instagram
Paint, drip, and splash your own creative masterpiece at Lift Studio. Using fluid acrylic paints, you can create stunning and unique designs on the balloon dog. Let your creativity flow as the colours blend and interact to form mesmerising patterns. Explore the joy of fluid art and bring your balloon dog model to life with vibrant and flowing colours.
Fluid Art Bear Workshop, July 12, 7pm to 9pm, Lift Studio & Space. SAR138 per balloon dog. @lift.ksa
Continue to dance the night away at Beast House
View this post on Instagram
Can’t get enough of Beast House? On Friday July 12, Justin Harris from Music For Freaks (MFF) will be burning the Beast House decks with his MFF signature sound while DJ Producer Lil Mark brings classic and quirky Detroit deep. Don’t miss regional artists Baloo and Mozeez, too.
Beast House, July 12, 9pm to 3am, Beast House, JAX District, Riyadh. The price starts from SAR250 per person and tickets can be purchased here. @_beasthouse
Have a meal with the world’s tiniest chef
Dining concept Le Petit Chef, the spontaneous, nomadic, and smallest animated chef in the world, is back at Le Meridien Riyadh to share another gourmet adventure: “Le Petit Chef & Friends.” The immersive dining experience takes place every Thursday to Saturday until August 31 at Kazo restaurant, located on the ground floor of the hotel. There are two sittings for dinner: 6pm to 8pm and 9pm to 11pm.
Le Petit Chef & Friends, until Aug 31, Thurs to Sat, 6pm to 8pm & 9pm to 11pm, Kazo, Le Meridien Riyadh, Riyadh 11544. Make your reservation here. SAR299 per person, SAR180 for a Junior Chef menu & SAR220 for a vegetarian menu. Tel: 059 837 0780. @lemeridienriyadh
Saturday July 13
A fun family day out on an adventure farm
If you’re looking for a family adventure away from the hustle and bustle of Riyadh, requires minimal effort in planning, and don’t mind a two-hour drive out of the city centre, then the Alshebah Resort is the place for you. Look forward to live animal encounters such as deers and emu, camel and horse rides, and a kid’s play area – this really is an action-packed day for all ages. There are also food stalls, a café and picnic areas – perfect for a day out with families and friends.
Alshebah Resort Hotah bin Tamim, Al Islamiah, Howtat Bani Tamim 16511, Saudi Arabia, Thurs & Fri 7am to 3am, Sat to Wed 7am to midnight. SAR30 for adults and SAR10 for kids.
Brunching… the ROKA way
View this post on Instagram
ROKA is one of the city’s most perennially popular hotspots for Japanese food. Its new semi-buffet brunch concept features 16 of the restaurant’s irresistible signature dishes and live stations. Expect a variety of bites, including yakisoba noodles, variations of gyozas, sushi, sashimi and skewers, hearty robata favourites for mains, as well as a dessert platter to finish. All of this is accompanied by a fantastic live DJ on the decks and a totally fun vibe, which ROKA is renowned for.
ROKA Riyadh Saturday Brunch, 1pm to 5pm, 5140 Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Rd, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12243 7053. SAR295 per person & SAR95 for children aged six to 12. Tel: 9200 12327. @rokarestaurant.ksa
Paint your own macarons
View this post on Instagram
Pop by Café ELLE and grab its exclusive macaron painting kit for SAR90. Consisting of six macarons, the kit comes complete with paintbrushes, edible colours and sprinkles. This DIY is literally for all skill levels and ages, so channel your inner Monet and transform these sweet delicacies into edible art pieces.
Café ELLE, Via Riyadh, daily 1pm to midnight. Available from July 11 to 14. @cafeelle.sa
Strike up some fun at this new bowling alley
View this post on Instagram
What’s not to love about bowling? It’s a cool sport, it’s great for group gatherings, and it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon. Check out this new bowling alley that sits right above the Al-Jazeera Hypermarket. With eight swish lanes, X300 Bowling is the perfect spot for families and neighbourhood folks to enjoy a fun-filled day.
X300 Bowling, First Floor, Al Jazeera Hypermarket, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 11492, Sat to Wed 2pm to 11pm, Thurs & Fri 3pm to midnight. @x300_bowling