Riyadh Season is back, and it’s bigger than ever!
Riyadh Season, one of the Saudi Seasons launched two years ago as Saudi Arabia opened its doors to tourists, had its first run in October 2019 and was definitely one of the most memorable and amazing events in the capital city of KSA.
Riyadh Season became the showpiece of modern KSA. It represented some of the major social changes that happened in the Kingdom in the past few years. There were many activities, events, and concerts during the third quarter of 2019 that were extended to the first quarter of 2020. Before the pandemic hit, some of the zones of Riyadh Season were still up and running. The event has attracted not only locals and expats in Saudi Arabia but also citizens from the GCC and other Arab countries. The number of visitors exceeded 10 million!
Fast forward to 2021 and the General Entertainment Authority headed by its chairman, Turki Al Shaikh, has announced a second edition of the much-loved event. And it’s just around the corner! Riyadh Season 2021 will kick off on October 20, 2021 and will run until March 2022! Expect over 7,500 activities, 500 electronic games, nine international studios, four theaters, and more than 200 restaurants, cafés, and stores!
Photo credit: Alsanqer Abdullah H / Shutterstock.com
The most important elements of the Season are the zones. These are themed venues scattered all over Riyadh. They present various events and activities focused on specific themes. For Riyadh Season 2021, there will be 14 exciting zones! Some zones from the first edition are making a comeback this year and some are even here to stay.
One of the most visited and biggest zones last 2019 is the Riyadh Boulevard, where concerts and festivals were held. This year, the Boulevard will be triple in size and will have sub-areas with their own set of activities, restaurants, and outlets. The highlight of this zone is its huge dancing, lit fountain that mesmerized both adults and children.
Winter Wonderland was a favorite in 2019. It was a fantasy land that rose on a wide empty lot north of Riyadh. It was filled with carnival rides, arcade games, and restaurants housed in small wooden huts that formed central villages. This year’s version will have more than 50 rides including the much-awaited Sky Loop, 6 sub-zones, and more attractions.
The Riyadh Safari that featured incredible animals will also be back this year. The 45-minute trip to its venue will be worth the distance. Nabd Al Riyadh will also be lit this year. The zone which was held in the area of Masmak Fort in Dirah will continue to highlight Saudi Arabia’s heritage and tradition while Al Murabaa, the venue that hosted luxurious international restaurants, will once again open its doors to fine dining foodies.
Speaking of luxury, a new zone called VIA Riyadh will present ultra-luxurious experiences through VIP cinemas, exquisite fine dining cuisines, world-renowned retail stores, and a luxe hotel. The same vibe is expected at the Oasis, a venue for international brands in the middle of the desert in the outskirts of Riyadh.
Al Salam Tree is reminiscent of 2019’s Magic Forest. This zone is a garden with fountain shows and restaurants that will delight the entire family. The Groves will also be a kid-friendly, pet-friendly zone that has something fun in every corner.
New zones like Al’Athriyah, Qariat Zaman, and Khaloha will bring Saudi Arabia’s heritage, culture, and arts to life. Nights in these venues will be filled with creativity and talent from painters, musicians, and poets.
It will be pure energy and thrill at the Combat Field. There will be many games to choose from: paintball, battlefields, escape rooms, and more! The Riyadh Front zone will also hold big festivals in various fields and diverse trends: jewelry, perfume, anime, gaming, and cars.
The Riyadh Season 2021 kicks off with a parade on October 20, 2021 and followed by the WWE Crown Jewel on October 21, 2021 to be held at the Mohammed Abdo Theater in Riyadh Boulevard. The WWE has inked a 10-year strategic multi-platform partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority in support of Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s social and economic reform program, in 2018 and has since staged shows in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Football star Lionel Messi has been gracing the ads and teasers of Riyadh Season 2. There will also be an exciting match between his team Paris Saint-Germain and a team composed of Al Hilal and Al Nassr star athletes scheduled early 2022.
The GEA expects huge crowds and it’s one of the first huge events after Saudi Arabia lifted its strict rules during the pandemic. However, precautionary measures are still in place. Only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to enter event venues. The Tawakkalna app, used in the Kingdom to show the immune status of citizens and residents, has added a feature that allows Riyadh Season visitors to add their tickets to the app.
For more details on the upcoming Riyadh Season, visit the following websites:
www.instagram.com/riyadhseason
