What’s On in Saudi Arabia 2025–26: Family Festivals, Riyadh Season & Unmissable Events
- Sarah Green
- Oct 16
- 5 min read
The Thrill (and Chaos) of Riyadh’s Event Scene
If you live in Riyadh long enough, you’ll realise two things.
One: everything happens at once.
Two: no one tells you about it until three days before.
It’s part of the charm, or the chaos, depending on your caffeine levels. Riyadh’s event calendar has gone from quiet desert nights to full-blown festival city in just a few years, and 2025–26 looks set to be its busiest season yet.
Between Riyadh Season, Noor Riyadh, AlUla’s winter festivals, and a growing local music scene, there’s now something happening almost every weekend. Whether you’re an expat family plotting your weekends or just trying to keep up, here’s your insider’s guide to what’s on and how to stay ahead of the announcements as of mid October 2025. More fun will be added so keep your eyes peeled.
Major Events Across Saudi Arabia 2025–26
And of course, the football never stops — the Saudi Pro League runs right through the winter, bringing international stars and sell-out matches most weekends. Expect the city to buzz whenever Al Nassr or Al Hilal play.
Many event dates are still to be confirmed, so what’s listed here reflects publicly released information as of mid-October 2025. As always in Riyadh, new announcements drop fast — and often without warning.
Art, Culture & Creative Highlights
Every November, Riyadh lights up. Literally. Noor Riyadh turns the city into a glowing open-air gallery with large-scale light installations across parks, skyscrapers, and heritage zones. It’s all part of the Riyadh Art initiative, which aims to make the city one of the world’s most vibrant public art hubs.
You’ll find work from international artists alongside Saudi creatives, plus talks, workshops, and family-friendly evening walks. Wander through Wadi Hanifa or Diriyah after dark and you’ll stumble on something extraordinary.
King Fahad Cultural Centre - Where the Big Shows Happen
This theatre has quietly become Riyadh’s cultural heart. It hosted Carmen earlier this year, and this December it welcomes WICKED, marking the musical’s Middle East debut.
It’s also home to international opera, theatre, and orchestral performances, proof that Riyadh’s cultural scene now spans from pop concerts to Puccini. Book early; seats sell fast.
The Beat of a New Saudi — Music & Nightlife
If Riyadh Season is the glossy headline, NOFOMO is where you’ll find the beat behind it. The app focuses on Saudi’s fast-growing electronic music and entertainment scene from MDL BEAST main events to underground collectives like Unstable, and venues in JAX District and The Arena.
It’s part of Saudi’s Vision 2030 mission to become a regional music hub, mixing international DJs with emerging local producers. The scene and the app are evolving fast, and discovering what’s next is half the fun.
🟢 Tip: Check often. Events appear late, sell out fast, and vanish just as quickly - blink and the party’s already moved on.
Where to Find Out What’s On (Before Everyone Else Does)
There’s no single site that captures everything — you’ll need to dig a little, ask around, hangout in whatsapp groups and refresh your browser like a pro. Here’s where to start.
The main ticketing platform for major concerts, festivals, and shows including WICKED, boxing nights, and Cirque du Soleil.
🟢 Tip: Download the app for instant QR codes and faster checkout before ticket prices spike.
Originally built for restaurant and spa bookings, WeBook now powers many of the big Riyadh Season events including the Comedy Festival, tennis finals, and fight nights. It also has a handy resale feature, perfect for last-minute swaps. But you’ll need to be quick: for returning events, tickets can disappear within hours. Riyadh isn’t for the slow-clickers — are you ready for battle?
The official tourism hub with the “Unreal Calendar” - great for spotting national festivals and travel-worthy weekends like Winter at Tantora or Ancient Kingdoms.
Your English-language insider guide — updated constantly with new openings, reviews, and “what’s on this weekend” roundups. When I first arrived in 2022, the 'whats on this week' often started with 'Check out the library' and 1001 new places to have an average brunch experience but at this time of the year it is busy and useful.
Embassy & Cultural Events
Many embassies host country-themed days and cultural showcases that fly under the radar. The Japan Festival in October is a highlight including sushi stalls, martial arts demos, and taiko drums at Boulevard City. Keep an eye on embassy pages and social media for dates.
Facebook & Local Pages
The Riyad(h)izen – brilliant for real-time updates and helpful locals.
Expats in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh Events & Activities – perfect for compound pop-ups and community fairs.
🟢 Tip: Search by month (“October Riyadh”, “Boulevard events”) to find posts before they disappear.
Instagram & Social Media Scrolling
To get you started follow:
@RiyadhSeason
@AlUlaMoments
@DiriyahSeason
@MDLBEAST
Plus your favourite cafés, galleries, and gyms — pop-ups often start there.
Riyadh’s event scene lives on Stories, not schedules. Blink and you’ll miss it — but that’s what makes it fun.
Season Snapshot
Beyond Riyadh Season, every region has its moment:
Diriyah Season – Equestrian, heritage, and Formula E.
Jeddah Season – Summer concerts and seaside fireworks.
Saudi Winter Campaign – Outdoor events and travel offers nationwide.
The golden rule? Stay spontaneous, keep your eyes open, and never assume a quiet weekend will stay that way.
What have I missed? Share your favourites!!!
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