15 brilliant things to do in Riyadh this weekend: January 25 to 27
Read on for our picks on things to do and see…
Lining up plans in Riyadh? From dining at restaurants to attending immersive extravaganzas, you won’t be short of things to do this weekend.
Here are 15 brilliant things to do in Riyadh this weekend.
Thursday January 25
Explore, play and win at House of Hype
A trip to the House of Hype promises to be a family and friends’ gateway to a world of extraordinary experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. Where else in the world can guests eat cotton candy burritos as you roam glitching neon cities, lounge in glowing gardens, design digital sneakers, explore melting neighbourhoods, star in their own music videos, dance with lasers, get lost in mirror palaces, and uncover hidden prizes? As if those were not enough, getting rewards is also part of the House of Hype experience, all thanks to the PARX companion app. The PARX app enables guests to play the park like a video game and unlock an Augmented Reality layer full of prizes and scavenger hunts, all from their own phone.
House of Hype, Boulevard Riyadh City, daily 4pm to 2am. Tickets can be purchased here, with general admission ticket for one for only SAR89, while a group of four can access the park for only SAR335 via The Squad Pass. @houseofhype____
Date night at Chez Bruno
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For a romantic ambience reminiscent of the southern French countryside, Chez Bruno at Bujairi Terrace delivers perfectly with every minute detail, from food to service. Settle in for a truffle-filled culinary voyage, accompanied by their signature dishes, and you’re sure to have a consistently great date night experience whether you’re out for a casual or celebratory dinner. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy live music performances every Thursday while you dine at our favourite European restaurant.
Live Music at Chez Bruno, every Thurs 8pm to 11pm, Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah. @chezbrunoksa
Party it up with the Beasts on the roof
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If you’ve ever wanted to dance under the stars with the city’s skyline as your backdrop, you’re in for a treat. Get ready for an epic musical night with MDLBeast at KAFD’s hottest rooftop experience. Soak in Riyadh’s best views and hottest vibes with a slate of groovy beats by Undercatt, Soel and NHA as they light up the sky.
FOWG: Rooftop Experience in Riyadh, Jan 18, 9pm to 1am, 4.04 KAFD, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13519. The ticket price starts from SAR249 and can be purchased here. @mdlbeast
Friday January 26
Celebrate the super weekend with a Super Brunch
La Brasserie at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah: It is one of Riyadh’s top venues, not only for its sophisticated setting but also for its fabulous buffet offerings. On Fridays, you can head to the venue and enjoy a long and languid feast of an all-new, enhanced brunch, complete with eight live cooking stations and live music. The contemporary, multi-cuisine restaurant promises an international buffet filled with freshly shucked oysters, prime Kobe beef, personalised pizzas, and live barbeque. And to keep the young guests occupied, there are plenty of kids’ activities like arts and crafts, face painting, cooking with the chef, a roaming magician, and more.
La Brasserie Super Brunch, every Fri 1pm to 5pm, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah Hotel, King Fahd Rd, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12212. SAR397 per adult & SAR 198 for kids over seven. Tel: 011 273 2005. @mo_alfaisaliah
Exit to a delightful camping retreat
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For a unique winter experience, check out Riyadh Exit, a brand-new Riyadh Season zone dedicated to camping. Designed for those seeking solitude and distinctive atmospheres, the camp is divided into three options: the regular camp, the royal camp, and the VIP camp. Perfect for those who would like to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Riyadh Exit, Riyadh 13495. Book your spot via The Chefz mobile app. The price starts from SAR5,000. @riyadhseason
Formula E is speeding into town
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Riyadh’s biggest racing moment of the year and a must-attend event for all sports fans, the Diriyah E-Prix once again welcomes the world’s best drivers to Diriyah Street Circuit. On day 1 (January 26), gates and the Allianz Fan Village open at 3pm, the qualifying round starts at 3.20pm and will go on until 5pm. Right after, there will be a pit lane walk and a driver autograph session. There will also be a pre-race concert by the Arab Queen of Music, Nancy Ajram at 6pm on the main stage. Another pre-race show will start at 7pm followed by the main event at 8pm and the podium ceremony at 9pm. Post-race concerts begin at 10pm with One Republic and end with Axwell at 11.45pm.
2024 Diriyah E-Prix, Jan 26 & 27, Diriyah, Riyadh. The tickets start from SAR100 and can be purchased here. @diriyah_eprix
Explore Boulevard World
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Experience a world of civilisations and cultures, exploring Boulevard World’s numerous adventures in each unique area. The second edition of this zone is 40 per cent more spectacular than last year’s event, which now features over 1,180 shops and 120 restaurants. Boulevard World Riyadh famously includes the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Lagoon, and it boasts the largest spherical theatre in which an exciting world of games and adrenaline-packed activities can be enjoyed.
Boulevard World, Hittin, daily 4pm to midnight. Book your tickets here. @riyadhseason
Rev up your passion
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Calling all sports car enthusiasts. Prepare yourself for a day filled with the revving of engines and the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. The Sports Car Show at The Boulevard Riyadh (not to be confused with Riyadh Season’s Boulevard Riyadh City) promises a diverse display that captures the essence of speed and agility.
Sports Car Show, Jan 26, 4pm to 8pm, The Boulevard, 5186 Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, Riyadh 13513. @theboulevard_riyadh
Tuck into pretty pastries
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Those who are pastry obsessed, groupies of Parisian pastry chef Yann Couvreur who have seen his work on Instagram, or are just lucky enough to taste his pastries know that they are as pretty as they are tasty. So, for a little snack between shops, Yann Couvreur Pâtisserie at Centria Mall is the place to satisfy a sweet craving or sip a hot drink. Needless to say, the mint green and gold fox-adorned packaging is just as adorable as the cakes within.
Yann Couvreur Pâtisserie, Centria Mall, Olaya Street, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12241, daily 10am to 10pm. @yanncouvreur_ksa
Rave in the ruins of an abandoned hospital
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ERGA takes place every weekend in the now-defunct Irqah Hospital and is an audio-visual spectacular where the music takes you on a mental sonic trip across various sounds and styles. Featuring two separate dance floors known as The Ward and The ER, its location is the most dystopian one ever seen. So, step into the dancefloor and pump up the volume for ERGA’s sick curators, Manda Moor, Sirus Hood, Biirdperson, Gooner, Mishal, and Solskin.
ERGA, Jan 18, 9pm to 2am, Irqah Hospital, Riyadh 12586. The ticket price starts from SAR199 and can be purchased here. @mdlbeast
Saturday January 27
Fun kids activities at the Alliance Française
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Bonjour. Ça va? Do you have kids between four and ten years old who are interested in learning French? If your answer is an enthusiastic oui, then here’s some good news for you. On Saturday January 27, your kids can come and discover the French language with fun activities and games at Alliance Francaise.
Kids Activities, Jan 27, 11am, Alliance Francaise, Diplomatic Quarter, Al Kindi Plaza, Gate 14, Al Safarat, Riyadh. Register here. SAR210 per person. @alliancefrancaise_ksa
Nozomi brunch is back
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Nozomi needs no introduction. The winner of What’s On Riyadh Awards 2023 Favourite Japanese Restaurant is easily one of the top spots for sushi and other classics in Riyadh, and it’s bringing its brunch back. Located at Century Corner, you can expect unbeatable service, brilliant food, live music and an all-around exceptional time.
Nozomi Riyadh Brunch, Jan 27, 1pm to 5pm, Century Corner, 7448 King Fahd Rd, Al Olaya, 4255, Riyadh 12331. SAR325 per person. @nozomiksa
Take a trip down to JAX for an art exhibition
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Noor Riyadh’s art exhibition, titled “Refracted Identities, Shared Futures”, is held at the Riyadh Art space in JAX District until March 2. This year, the show celebrates light as a flux, where artists, as cartographers of light, comprehend the dynamic nature of human and cultural identity amidst the shifting sands of time.
Noor Riyadh Exhibition, until Mar 2, 2024, Sat to Thurs 11am to 1am & Fri 4pm to 1am, JAX District. @noorriyadhfestival
Have a wander at Wonder Garden
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Open until January 28, this Riyadh Season zone features more than 70 rides and experiences, two arcade halls, 15 stores, 26 restaurants and more than 60 roaming acts and shows. You can chill out by the Flamingo Lake and admire over 50 gorgeous flamingos, check out the Bloom subzone, where flowers inspire art installations; and ride on a giant wheel. You can even be one with nature at the stunning Butterfly Garden.
Wonder Garden, until Jan 28, Al Malqa, weekdays 4pm to 1am, weekends 4pm to 1am. The ticket starts from SAR30 and can be purchased here. @riyadhseason
A race like no other
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It’s the final day of the Diriyah E-Prix. Most of the event schedule will remain the same as Day 1’s; only the pre-race concert will be performed by popular Egyptian rock band Cairokee at 6pm on the main stage. The post-race concerts will kick off with The Backstreet Boys at 10pm, and Afrojack at midnight.
2024 Diriyah E-Prix, Jan 26 & 27, Diriyah, Riyadh. The tickets start from SAR100 and can be purchased here. @diriyah_eprix