15 things to look forward to in Saudi Arabia in October 2025
Discover a list of exciting openings and experiences
October in Saudi Arabia is stacked with festivals, culture, and one-off events. Here are some of the best things to do next month. Get your diary out and start filling it up now.
October 1 to 6: Celebrate the art and science of beauty in all its forms
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Mark your calendars for this exciting beauty event as part of the Jeddah Season 2025. Check out the Jeddah Beauty Week for all things makeup, skincare and fashion. Prepare to soak up the latest trends and indulge in a dose of glamour and elegance.
Location: Jeddah Beauty Week, Abadi Aljohar Arena, King Abdul Aziz Rd, Al Basateen
Timings: 4.30pm to 11.30pm
Cost: SAR35 for entry ticket & SAR200 for VIP. Tickets can be purchased here.
October 2 to 11: All about falconry heritage, hunting, and outdoor activities
Welcome to the Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2025. Taking place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Malham, it is the largest of its kind in the world, bringing together falconry and hunting enthusiasts from the Kingdom and abroad. This year’s edition features diverse events and areas, including a museum, royal reserve pavilions, falconry and hunting exhibits, adventure and safari activities, equestrian shows, camel riding, an arts zone, a falcon auction, the Chinese pavilion, the Falconer of the Future program, four-wheel-drive experiences, sponsor and exhibitor pavilions, and scientific workshops, as well as restaurants, cafes, competitions, and interactive activities.
Throughout October: Outdoor adventures at Aseer and Taif
Outdoor enthusiasts seeking refreshing mountain escapes will enjoy Aseer’s moderate summer breezes and Taif’s naturally cool mountain climate. The pleasant temperatures and clear skies provide the perfect setting for exploration and adventure. In Aseer, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich cultural experience of Almuftaha Village, where art exhibitions, handicrafts, and local cuisine blend seamlessly with the mild Abha breezes. Nature lovers will find tranquility at Liwan Farm, while Sky Village offers thrilling mountain activities perfect for families and friends. The spectacular Al Habala Park beckons with breathtaking views, cable car rides, waterfalls, and family-friendly events including camping, while Sky Village provides an ideal mountain setting for group adventures with its food trucks and vibrant atmosphere, making it the perfect destination for morning and evening relaxation. Taif complements these offerings with Arruddaf Park, where visitors enjoy pristine nature, fresh air, live music, and interactive fountains amid stunning landscapes. The famous rose factories invite guests to experience the fragrant essence of Taif roses and discover local products, while the renowned Al Shafa Mountain provides cool summer temperatures and enchanting panoramic views.
October 2 to 11: Bibliophiles, this one’s for you
After your next great read? Head on down to the Riyadh International Book Fair 2025. Look forward to meet-and-greets with writers, poets, and intellectuals from all over the region. Alongside the exhibition, there is also a full schedule of cultural events, such as poetry evenings and stimulating talks with prominent writers and thinkers. A special kids’ area has also been created, filled with entertaining activities for kids between the ages of three and 12.
Until October 9: Get ready for the biggest LOLs
The first Riyadh Comedy Festival is currently underway, featuring over 50 comedians from around the world. From stand-up to satire, sketch to improvising, this electrifying lineup is set to spark laughter, challenge norms, and connect cultures under one roof. Headliners include Russell Peters, Gabriel Iglesias, Jack Whitehall, Jimmy Carr, among others.
Location: Various locations in BLVD City
Cost: Tickets start from SAR100 and can be purchased here.
October 9: Feel the fusion of sound, lights, and Ibiza energy at La Plage
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Get ready for a night where Ibiza’s iconic energy meets the shores of the Red Sea. OBE joins forces with TEN Ibiza, one of the island’s most recognised electronic music brands, to bring you an unforgettable journey of sound, lights, and atmosphere right in Jeddah’s most exclusive beach destination, La Plage. It will be headlined by the legendary Oriol Calvo, who will be joined by Pomboklap, Chills, and Dasha Mell.
Location: OBE x TEN Ibiza, La Plage Beach Resort, Prince Abdullah AlFaisal St, Obhur Al-Shamaliyah, Jeddah 23811
Timings: Oct 9, 9pm to 3am
Cost: Tickets start at SAR250 and can be purchased here.
October 9 to 11: Witness a new era for the world of motorsports
Qiddiya City, the giga-project on the outskirts of Riyadh, has been announced to host the first-ever FIA Extreme H World Cup, the world’s premier hydrogen-powered motorsport series. The event marks the official transition from the all-electric Extreme E championship. The Extreme H World Cup will run a similar format to Extreme E in that each team must field one male and one female driver per car. This makes it the second international four-wheel motorsport event to do so. However, details on the sporting format, and the teams, drivers, and partners who will be competing, are yet to be announced.
October 10 to 31: Head over to HorrorCon if you dare
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Jeddah Season 2025 is adding another thrilling attraction to its calendar. Come and experience HorrorCon, a gathering for horror lovers packed with cosplay shows, celebrity meet-and-greets, themed exhibits, and immersive experiences. Not much details have been announced yet, so watch this space for more updates.
October 15, 16 & 18: Watch the world’s top tennis stars battle it out
Tennis fans, the legendary tennis showdown is back. The Six Kings Slam 2025 will once again feature tennis legend Novak Djokovic and Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz. Last season’s winner, Jannik Sinner, who has just won his first Wimbledon 2025 title, is set to return to grace the courts in Riyadh. This year’s line-up also features three players making their debut in the tournament: Alexander Zverev, an Olympic gold medallist at Tokyo 2020 and a three-time Grand Slam finalist, whose name is already etched into the history of German tennis; British number one Jack Draper and American number one Taylor Fritz, who are currently ranked fourth and fifth in the world, respectively.
Location: ANB Arena, Riyadh
From October 16: The Riyadh Racing Season 2025-2026 begins
Horseracing resumes at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh next month after the new season schedule was revealed by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, culminating with the $20 million Saudi Cup on February 14, 2026. The new campaign gets underway on October 16 and is the first of 50 meetings for thoroughbred and purebred Arabian horses, which for the first time will end with The Saudi Cup meeting.
Visit: jcsa.sa
October 16 to 21: Riyadh Fashion Week returns for its third edition
Returning for its third edition next month, Riyadh Fashion Week will be strutting down our runways with a fun twist. For the first time, international brands are invited to debut their headline-stealing collections. This edition promises unforgettable moments that will continue to shape the future of Saudi fashion and redefine the region’s global style narrative. The shows are usually invite-only. Fashion enthusiasts can visit Riyadh Fashion Week’s website to watch a live stream of the runway shows.
Visit: riyadhfashionweek.com
October 17: Groove on the Grass is back in Riyadh
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Happening on Friday October 17 at the stunning JAX Viewpoint in Diriyah, the independent music festival will take over the location for the second time. Headliners for Groove on the Grass Riyadh 2025 have already been announced and include a great mix of local and international artists, including Giorgia Angiuli, Glowal & Henri Bergmann, Dish Dash, Deian, Darko Delix, Moses, Noa, and Kayan.
Location: JAX Viewpoint, Diriyah, Riyadh
Timing: 5pm to 3am
Cost: SAR250 for general admission, SAR395 for VIP (standing), and SAR795 for backstage (standing). Book your tickets here.
Until October 18: Step into a world of dreamy acrobats and jaw-dropping stunts
For the first time in Saudi Arabia, the internationally acclaimed Pluma Circus is bringing its magic to Riyadh. Get ready for jaw-dropping acrobatics, dazzling costumes, hilarious clowns, and mind-blowing visual effects that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Location: Pluma Circus Tent, Al Nakheel Mall, Riyadh
Timings: Oct 1 to 18, Wed 6pm to 9pm, Thurs 5pm to 8pm & 8pm to 11pm, Fri & Sat 4pm to 7pm & 7pm to 10pm
Cost: SAR95 (Green), SAR140 (Blue), SAR180 (Red), SAR240 (Silver) & SAR345 (Gold). Tickets can be purchased here.
October 21 & 22: Calling all professionals in the creative and marketing sectors
Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity is returning next month and is set to be the festival’s biggest, boldest, and most dynamic yet. The two-day festival continues to attract some star power from the industry. The speaker lineup features some of the most influential voices in creativity and innovation, such as Mo Gawdat, bestselling author and former CBO at Google; Jo Malone, Founder and Creative Director at Jo Loves; Ellie Norman, CMO of Formula E; and Ali Ali, Co-Founder and Film Director at Good People Films. Athar Festival 2025 will introduce four new content streams: Creative Impact, Future Forward, Screen & Influence, and Luxury & Lifestyle, covering trends from storytelling and AI to influencer marketing and premium experiences. Registration for the event is now open via atharfestival.com
Location: Diriyah Biennale Foundation, JAX District, Riyadh
Timings: Oct 21, 10am to 10pm & Oct 22 10am to 7pm
Cost: Festival passes start from SAR200 and can be purchased here.
Contact: +971 54 432 4456 / @atharfestival.sa
From October 24: Unwind, reconnect, and take part in a wide range of wellness and fitness experiences
As part of the AlUla Moments calendar, AlUla will once again host the return of the AlUla Wellness Festival from Friday October 24 to Saturday November 1. This year introduces new mass participation events, with competitions being held across running, cycling, and swimming. Events being introduced include the AlUla Duathlon, a multisport event featuring Olympic, sprint, and kids’ distances, AlUla Half Marathon, Ashar Valley Triathlon, the AlUla 24-Hour Endurance Race, the Ride with the Pros challenge, and more.
