15 wonderful things to do in Riyadh this weekend: October 17 to 19
Hello, weekend…
Can’t decide what to do this weekend? While it’s never a bad idea to secure a booking at one of the best cafes in the capital, rave it out all night, or check out the Riyadh Season zones, we’re always on the lookout for new, exciting pop-ups, openings and events.
Here are 15 wonderful things to do in Riyadh this weekend.
Thursday October 17
Do you really need an excuse to Business Lunch?
View this post on Instagram
Our latest favourite spot for a business lunch is Ruya, a Turkish restaurant right in the heart of the city centre. The set menu is one of the best values in Riyadh, offering a two-course business lunch meal for just SAR89 per person and SAR129 for three courses. Indulge in dishes like mushroom borek or tomato kebap before getting back to work with a full belly.
Ruya, 1224 Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12243. Business Lunch is available from Sun to Thurs 12.30pm to 5pm. Tel: 9200 10692. @ruya_riyadh
Catch the last day of the Saudi Games action
View this post on Instagram
The Saudi Games 2024 concludes today (October 17) with the chess, archery, handball, karate, and table tennis competitions underway. The full competition schedule is available here.
Saudi Games 2024, Oct 17, various locations in Riyadh. @thesaudigames
Giddy up, the Riyadh racing season is here
Situated on the outskirts of Riyadh, a race night at King Abdulaziz Racecourse is an evening like no other. The jewel in the crown of Saudi racing, this sophisticated venue features picturesque viewing lawns, stylish lounges and restaurants, extravagant fashions and, of course, proximity to the thrilling racing action. Gates open at 2.45pm with the first race at 3.30pm and the last race at 8.30pm. A full racing schedule is available here.
Riyadh Racing Season Opening Night, Oct 17, 2.45pm to 9.30pm, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Riyadh. Tickets start at SAR15 with all-inclusive hospitality experiences available from SAR179. Tickets can be purchased here.
Watch the world’s top tennis stars
View this post on Instagram
Congrats to those who were able to snag tickets to the sold-out Six Kings Slam happening this weekend. The thrill reaches new heights as Novak Djokovic faces Jannik Sinner, while Rafael Nadal goes head-to-head with Carlos Alcaraz. These two epic showdowns will determine who advances to the final. Prepare for a day of unforgettable tennis action.
Six Kings Slam – Semi-Finals, Oct 17, 5.30pm, The Venue, Riyadh. @riyadhseason
Party it up at Beast House
The weekend kicks off on Thursday night infused with melodic zest, as Lebanese-favorite Rolbac takes to the stage to serve up his signature sounds, alongside emerging Riyadh-based progressive DJ Ant.
Beast House, every Thurs & Fri, 9pm to 3am, Beast House, JAX District, Riyadh. Tickets start from SAR185 and can be purchased here. @_beasthouse
Friday October 18
Have a cuppa at Café Kitsuné
View this post on Instagram
The wait is finally over. Cult-favourite Café Kitsuné makes its debut at Laysen Valley, marking the famed French-Japanese café’s first foray into Saudi Arabia. Boasting a space with an outdoor terrace and French and Japanese influences (think: oak wood outfittings), the café exudes a chic and warm vibe. Besides the brand’s signature speciality coffee, you can look forward to indulgent snacks and pastries, such as Café Kitsuné’s iconic Fox-shaped shortbread and sandos. You can also browse a selection of Café Kitsuné themed merchandise – from hoodies, T-shirts, tote bags, reusable bottles to coffee mugs – as well as freshly roasted coffee beans that you can bring home to enjoy.
Café Kitsune, King Khalid Br Rd, Umm Al Hamam Al Gharbi, Riyadh 12329, Sun to Wed 4pm to midnight, Thurs to Sat 4pm to 2am. @cafekitsune
An immersive day of music, arts and wellness
View this post on Instagram
If you’re looking for an escape to the outdoors, a wellness festival in a gorgeous, serene, African-inspired wellness haven in Riyadh could be the answer. Set amid the picturesque setting of Nofa Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Resort, an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Ikoni Festival will fuse music, arts, and wellness in a one-day spectacular. Look forward to a line-up of conscious musicians, including Leonardo Prakash (harmonic escape music that aims to amalgamate rhythms and sounds of the world), Izadora (electronic haven in which she bonds traditional and electronic music through folktronica, nu cumbia and organic house), and Dunes Music (known for their percussive beats, a unique fusion of electronic music with live percussions and instrumental tunes). Other festival highlights that guests can enjoy are yoga, sound healing, an animal safari and much more.
Ikoni Festival by Raw Escapes Experiences, Oct 18, 5pm to 12.30am, Nofa Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Resort. Book your spot here. Tel/WhatsApp: 011 521 2300 / 058 289 5110. @rawescapes
Two nights of laughter with Martin Lawrence
Whether you know him for roles in movies like Bad Boys and Big Momma’s House, his eponymous TV show Martin, or some of the funniest stand-up specials of the last couple of decades, you know you’ll want to see the legendary Martin Lawrence when he performs his newest material live in Riyadh. The “Y’all Know What It Is!” is an all-new stand-up show and fresh one-hour set in which he brings the real talk and finds the funny in everything from family to culture as only he can. Those who managed to score tickets to the already sold-out event, get ready to laugh yourself sick.
Martin Lawrence “Y’all Know What It Is!” Tour, Oct 18 & 19, 7.30pm (Gates open at 6pm), Bakr Al-Sheddi Theatre, Boulevard City, Riyadh. For 18 years and above only. @riyadhseason
Dress up in your most glam white attire
View this post on Instagram
If you haven’t heard, Coya Riyadh’s legendary white party, La Semana Blanca, is here. The event will be held until Saturday October 19 across the beautifully decorated dining room, the Pisco Bar, and the air-conditioned terrace. You can look forward to energetic entertainment from a live band and resident DJs, as well as special dishes like the refreshing velvet blanco mocktail, the sweet Hoja De Maiz dessert, and the indulgent steak cuts with 24K gold. And be sure to come dressed in white.
La Semana Blanca: The Ultimate White Party, until Oct 19, 8pm to midnight, Coya Riyadh, 8710 Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi St, As Sulimaniyah, 4237, Riyadh 12223. Tel: 9200 10352. @coyariyadh
Catch the Al Shabab vs Al Nassr – Roshn Saudi League Season
For a night of thrilling football action, mark your calendars for an exciting clash as Al Shabab meets AlNassr in round 7 of Roshn Saudi League.
Al Shabab vs Al Nassr, Oct 18, 9pm, Al Shabab Club Stadium, Riyadh. Tickets start from SAR40 and can be purchased here. @spl_en
Dance the night away at Beast House
Can’t get enough of Beast House? Friday (October 18) offers a trio of acts, with UK house aficionado and Fuse London resident, Rich NXT, hitting the stages. Also on the lineup is the Riyadh native making a name for himself across the region with his deep house cuts, Dabous, as well as emerging local favourite, Dorar , with her diverse house digs & selections.
Beast House, every Thurs & Fri, 9pm to 3am, Beast House, JAX District, Riyadh. Tickets start from SAR185 and can be purchased here. @_beasthouse
Saturday October 19
The largest Riyadh Season zone is back
View this post on Instagram
This season’s Boulevard World returns bigger and better than ever before. And tickets are now available via webook.com, priced at SAR20 for weekday tickets and SAR30 for weekends. Like previous years, culture is at the core of Boulevard World’s sprawling site, with more than a dozen pavilions dedicated to different countries and regions. There are five new pavilions to look forward to this year: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Africa, and Courchevel.
BLVD World. Book your tickets here. @riyadhseason
Six Kings Slam concludes play
View this post on Instagram
The excitement reaches its peak at the Six Kings Slam. Don’t miss the epic finale and the intense battle for the championship.
Six Kings Slam – The Finale, Oct 19, 5.30pm, The Venue, Riyadh. @riyadhseason
The biggest mixed martial arts event hits Riyadh
PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants Press Conference at the The Anthem in Washington D.C., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Battle of the Giants will take over the state-of-the-art Mayadeen Venue in Riyadh’s Diriyah on Saturday October 19, in which Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira will go head-to-head in an explosive heavyweight battle. But that’s not all. You’ll also witness an intense women’s fight featuring Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco in the PFL Super Fight.
Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact, Mayadeen, Riyadh, Oct 19, 7pm onwards. Ticket price starts from SAR300 and can be purchased here. @pflmma
Go from dinner to dancing under one atmospheric venue
View this post on Instagram
Once an equestrian club, attaché is the latest standalone project from MDLBeast, tucked in a valley between the endless rows of embassies in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter (DQ). There is more to attaché than just a restaurant. Divided into four areas, the sprawling space is a cohesive juxtaposition of then and now, elevating the property’s rich equestrian heritage with modern accents to complement a unique sense of place. When you’ve finally decided you’re full (after having practically every dish on the menu), walk across to UNSTABLE to continue the party. Of all the spaces in attaché, this is our favourite – the club for evening entertainment and where the dance floor is your playground.
attaché, Diplomatic Quarter, Al Safarat, Riyadh 12513. The restaurant is open from noon to midnight, while UNSTABLE is open from 6pm. Tel: 053 244 6209. @attache.dq