Your ultimate weekend guide for things to do in Riyadh
Weekend vibes loading
When searching for the best things to do in Riyadh each weekend, it’s hard not to end up more confused and indecisive than when you started. While it’s never a bad idea to secure a booking at one of the best restaurants in the capital, spend an evening in one of Riyadh’s music venues, or even explore an iconic Riyadh attraction, we’re always on the lookout for new, exciting pop-ups, openings and events.
Here’s your guide to all the brilliant things to do in Riyadh this weekend.
Family fun
Oodles of fun at Al Watan Park
View this post on Instagram
Al Watan Park overwhelms with enough family-centric activities to fill a long weekend. Families descend on the park for the dozens of accessible rides for children. The theme park features some old-time classics like the miniature Ferris wheel, alongside some adventurous rides where kids pilot their own flying plane, revolving at their own elevation. You can also enjoy a great stay in one of its chalet rentals, which includes a swimming pool.
Location: Al Watan Park, Riyadh Water Tower, King Saud Rd, Al Futah, Riyadh 12632
Timings: Daily 4pm to midnight
Contact: 050 033 8844 / @alwatan_p
Take the kids to the Big Fun Museum
View this post on Instagram
Visit the Big Fun Museum for a whole world of fun and illusion waiting to be discovered. This new attraction features three immersive adventures in one place – Fairy Forest, Museum of Emotions, and Museum of Illusions. The right place to have a great time with friends and family.
Location: Big Fun Museum, Park Avenue, Gate 4
Timings: Sun to Wed noon to midnight, Thurs noon to 2am, Fri 3pm to 2am, Sat 1pm to midnight.
Cost: Tickets start from SAR80 and can be purchased here.
Beat the bars at Prison Island
View this post on Instagram
While you’re at Park Avenue for the Big Fun Museum, why not take the older kids to spend their free time in cells filled with challenges? That’s fun at Prison Island, where you and your mates must work together to complete obstacles and tasks in order to break free. There are 35 cells to complete, each testing your physical or mental mettle.
Location: Prison Island, First Floor, Park Avenue Mall, 7042 Said Ibn Zayd Rd, Qurtubah, Riyadh 13247.
Contact: 055 028 7066 / @prisonisland.ksa
For the culture vultures
Cities Under Quarantine: The Mailbox Project
View this post on Instagram
Presented for the first time in Riyadh as a living archive of solitude, resilience, and connection, Cities Under Quarantine: The Mailbox Project gathers hand-bound, artist-designed books created during the pandemic and mailed from Beirut to 22 cities around the world. The books were sent across to be filled with sketches, drawings, and thoughts by the designated artists. Explore the books, join the conversations and performances, and reflect on how art preserves memory.
Location: Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art (SAMOCA)
Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Arts Hall Exhibition: Summer 2025
View this post on Instagram
Through an intergenerational lens, 43 Saudi and Saudi-based artists explore how personal and collective histories inform evolving identities and catalyse social change. The exhibition reflects on the narratives, values, and lived experiences passed down by families and communities, tracing their impact over time. The works in this exhibition, spanning a range of media and approaches, from figurative representations to symbolic abstraction, delve into themes of memory, migration, cultural hybridity, and resilience.
Location: Misk Art Institute, 9346 King Saud Rd, An Namudhajiyah
Timing: Until Sept 25, Sat to Thu 4pm to 10pm
Cost: Free
Solo Series 2025
View this post on Instagram
Misk Art Institute presents the second edition of the Solo Series—a dedicated platform honouring influential Saudi artists and their contributions. This year’s Solo Series spotlights Khaleel Hassan Khaleel and Dr. Mohammed Alresayes, two pioneering figures whose work has left a lasting impact on Saudi visual culture. Through their unique artistic languages, both artists explore themes of heritage, identity, and creative expression, offering a deeper understanding of Saudi Arabia’s evolving art landscape.
Location: Misk Art Institute, Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall
Timing: Until Sept 25, Sat to Thu 4pm to 10pm
Cost: Free
Two Swords and a Palm: Archive of the Saudi Emblem
View this post on Instagram
Running until November 21, The Two Swords and a Palm exhibition is based on extensive research carried out in cooperation with experts and specialists in history and design, offering an in-depth reading of the national emblem — not merely as a visual element adorning official documents, but as a deeply rooted symbol in the collective consciousness that reflects national identity and Saudi cultural heritage.
Location: Al Masmak Palace, 6937 Al Thumairi St, 6937, Ad Dirah
Timings: Sun to Thurs 8am to 9pm, Fri 4pm to 8pm, Sat 9am to 8pm
For the foodies
A.O.K weekend brunch buffet
For those who believe brunch is best enjoyed unhurried and sun-drenched, the A.O.K Brunch Buffet at KAFD is now a weekend essential. Available Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm, the SAR149 buffet includes a vibrant spread of starters, salads and pastries, followed by a choice of a main course. From Avocado on Toast to A.O.K’s signature Rumbled Eggs, Parmesan Creamy Rigatoni to grilled local Chicken Burgers, each dish is as wholesome as it is worthy of a weekend treat.
Location: A.O.K Kitchen KAFD
Timings: every Fri & Sat, 11am to 4pm
Cost: SAR149
Contact: 9200 25304
The first-ever Thai Fruits Festival 2025 in Riyadh
Love tropical fruits from Thailand? Thailand is officially showcasing a wide range of premium agricultural products at Tamimi Store 142 in Riyadh. The festival will showcase a wide selection of Thai agricultural products, including tropical fruits, Thai rice, herbs, fresh produce, processed fruits, and innovative agri-products. Visitors will also experience Thai cultural activities, such as live cooking demonstrations and traditional performances, creating a unique atmosphere that enhances the image of Thai agricultural products and makes them more accessible to international consumers.
Location: Tamimi Irqah Plaza (S142), Irqah Plaza, Prince Mishaal Ibn Abdulaziz Rd
Timings: August 28 & 29, 24 hours
Dim sum, our kind of yum
View this post on Instagram
Grab your chopsticks for some of the finest dim sum in Riyadh. Hong Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh has just launched their Saturday Dim Sum Night. Dim sum delights here are all handmade, and you’ll be spoilt for choice with items that’ll fill you up nicely.
Location: Hong Restaurant, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh
Timing: Every Sat, 6.30pm to midnight
Cost: SAR228 per adult (including signature drinks) & SAR116 for kids aged six to 12
Contact: 011 802 8333 / @hong.restaurant
Ladurée’s new savoury menu
View this post on Instagram
Known for its iconic macarons, Ladurée now brings its signature flair to a new savoury menu, offering elegant options from breakfast through to dessert. Mornings begin with comfort and craft – eggs florentine, omelette royale, and a locally inspired Middle Eastern omelette. From the shrimp rolls “Terre et Mer,” crab salad, and avocado gazpacho to blinis with smoked salmon or Oscietra caviar, bring French elegance to the table. The sandwich selection includes highlights like the Lobster Roll, the rich Ladurée gourmet burger, and the classic croque-monsieur.
Location: Across all outlets in Riyadh
Maestro x Netflix’s Squid Game
View this post on Instagram
Maestro Pizza has announced an exclusive partnership with Netflix to launch a limited-edition menu inspired by the highly anticipated series “Squid Game 3.” This unique culinary experience is now available across Maestro Pizza locations in Saudi Arabia.The collaboration introduces Pizza 456, a bold new offering that draws inspiration from the main character and iconic symbols of the global hit series. Complementing this, Maestro Pizza is also serving OX Chicken Bites, featuring crispy chicken paired with distinctive green “O” and red “X” sauces, a playful homage to the show’s memorable visuals.
Location: Across all outlets in Saudi Arabia
Relaxation and pampering
Relax and rejuvenate at Mansard Spa by L’Occitane
Discover true relaxation at Mansard Spa by L’Occitane, where French-inspired design meets the brand’s renowned treatments and aromatic scents. With separate sections for men and women, the spa offers a serene escape in the heart of Riyadh. Women can enjoy access to an indoor pool, jacuzzi, hammam, sauna, salt cave for halotherapy, as well as dedicated manicure and pedicure services. Every element is thoughtfully curated to provide a luxurious and restorative experience.
Location: Mansard Spa by L’Occitane, Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel
Timings: 10am to 11pm
Social gatherings
Party it up at MDLBEAST Radio Mixtape
Beast House throws it back with an old-school Hip-Hop and R&B night at MDLBEAST Radio MixTape. Shaolin brings raw hip-hop power and a relentless flow. Kali B drops signature bars with smooth R&B flavour. DJ Moe spins straight bangers with heavy hip-hop energy.
Location: Beast House, J12, Al Dariyah Al Jadidah, JAX District, Riyadh
Timings: Aug 29, 9pm to 3am
Cost: Tickets start from SAR199 and can be purchased here
