Riyadh Season is the Middle East’s largest entertainment festival and the centrepiece of any Riyadh travel itinerary. Now in its sixth edition, the 2025-26 season launched on 10 October 2025 and runs through to early May 2026, spreading more than 200 concerts, 15 world championships, 34 exhibitions and hundreds of dining and retail experiences across 11 purpose-built entertainment zones. From the WWE Royal Rumble’s first staging outside North America to the MrBeast-branded Beast Land theme park and a floating AROYA cruise zone on the Red Sea, this edition is the most ambitious yet. Below is everything you need to plan your visit — every confirmed event, zone-by-zone breakdown, ticket prices and practical tips for getting around the Saudi capital during the season.
Season Dates: 10 October 2025 – early May 2026 (Boulevard World closes 2 May 2026)
Getting There: Fly into King Khalid International Airport (RUH); zones are 20–35 minutes from the city centre by car or ride-hailing app
Visa Required: Yes — tourist e-visa available online
Budget: USD 50–150 per day (zone entry from free to SAR 40; event tickets from SAR 37 upwards)
Must-See: Boulevard World, WWE Royal Rumble (31 Jan 2026), MDLBeast Soundstorm
Avoid: Driving to major events on opening nights — parking fills fast; use Uber or Careem instead
What Is Riyadh Season?
Launched in October 2019 by the General Entertainment Authority under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism programme, Riyadh Season has grown from a bold experiment into a fixture on the global entertainment calendar. The first edition drew 10.3 million visitors. By the fourth season (2023-24) attendance hit 20 million. The current sixth edition had already surpassed 14 million visitors by early 2026, with several months still to run.
The festival transforms Riyadh each winter — when the capital’s climate is at its most comfortable — into an open-air entertainment hub stretching across multiple districts. Each zone has its own identity, from the free-entry Boulevard City in Hittin to the culturally immersive Boulevard World and the premium dining destination Via Riyadh. The programme spans every genre: boxing world titles, Grand Slam-level tennis, EDM mega-festivals, Arabic pop concerts, theatrical productions, equestrian championships and interactive gaming experiences.
Season Dates and Opening Hours
Riyadh Season 2025-26 officially opened on 10 October 2025 with a parade through Boulevard City featuring more than 3,000 performers and 25 festive floats, including Macy’s-style giant balloons. The season will run until early May 2026 — Boulevard World’s confirmed closing date is 2 May 2026, though some zones wind down earlier.
General Opening Hours
| Day | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday – Wednesday | 4:00 PM | 1:00 AM |
| Thursday – Saturday | 4:00 PM | 2:00 AM |
Tip: Hours can vary by zone and during major events. Boulevard World typically opens at 4 PM and closes at midnight on weekdays, extending to 1 AM on weekends. Check the official Riyadh Season app or website for zone-specific timings on the night you plan to visit.
The 11 Entertainment Zones
Riyadh Season 2025-26 spreads across 11 zones, each occupying a different district of the capital. Four zones — Boulevard City, Al-Suwaidi Park, Riyadh Zoo and Winter Wonderland (before 6 PM) — offer free general entry. The rest require a ticket.
Boulevard City (Free Entry)
The anchor zone, located in the Hittin district, is the first thing most visitors experience. Boulevard City hosts six new immersive experiences this season, 20 concerts spanning Gulf, Arab and international acts, more than 80 restaurants, and 14 theatrical productions. Key ticketed attractions inside include:
- Poppy Playtime: from SAR 45
- Play-Topia: from SAR 50
- The Conjuring Experience: from SAR 50
- Minecraft Experience: from SAR 50
- WWE Experience: from SAR 37.50
- House of Hype: from SAR 99
- Visit webook.com or download the Webook app (iOS and Android)
- Create an account using your email or phone number
- Browse by zone or event, select your date and ticket tier
- Pay by credit/debit card or Apple Pay — prices are in Saudi Riyals (SAR)
- Receive an e-ticket with QR code for scanning at the gate
- Uber and Careem: The easiest option. Both apps work well in Riyadh. Select the official Boulevard City or Boulevard World gates as your drop-off point during the season.
- Riyadh Metro: The new metro system has stations near several zone locations. It is the cheapest option at SAR 4–6 per ride.
- Driving: Zones offer free parking — Boulevard City has more than 10,000 spaces. However, these fill quickly on peak nights and during major events. Arrive early or use ride-hailing for headline shows.
- Near Boulevard City (Hittin district): Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter, Courtyard by Marriott — walkable to the zone
- Near Via Riyadh (Al-Hada): The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh — directly adjacent to the zone
- City centre (Olaya): Four Seasons Riyadh, Hyatt Regency — good metro connections to zones
- Budget: Serviced apartments in the Al-Malaz or Al-Murabba districts from SAR 200–400 per night
- October–November: Daytime highs of 30–35°C, cooling to 18–22°C in the evenings. The season’s opening weeks — most zones are fresh and uncrowded.
- December–February: The sweet spot. Daytime 18–24°C, evenings 8–14°C. This is peak season, with the biggest events (Soundstorm, Royal Rumble, Saudi Cup). Expect larger crowds and higher hotel prices.
- March–April: Warming up (25–33°C) but still pleasant in the evenings. Crowds thin out after the February marquee events, and you can often find discounted hotel rates.
- Riyadh Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to Saudi Arabia’s capital city
- Riyadh Season Guide 2025-2026 — Overview of events, zones, tickets and planning tips
- Saudi Arabia Airport Guide — Terminal maps, transfers and airline info for King Khalid International
- Uber and Careem in Saudi Arabia — How ride-hailing works across the Kingdom
- Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
- Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — Every visa type explained
Boulevard World (From SAR 30)
The cultural and culinary centrepiece of the season. Boulevard World recreates neighbourhoods from around the globe across 24 sub-zones, with 1,600 shops, 350 restaurants and cafés, and 40 rides. This edition adds three new country zones — Kuwait, South Korea and Indonesia — alongside returning favourites like Japan, Morocco, India and Greece. Entry starts at SAR 30 on weekdays and SAR 40 on weekends. VIP and all-inclusive packages run from SAR 300 to SAR 700. Open until 2 May 2026.
Beast Land (Ticketed)
The headline new zone for 2025-26 is Beast Land, a theme park built in collaboration with YouTube creator MrBeast. Spanning 188,000 square metres, it features more than 15 main rides, 14 unique experiences, themed zones, high-energy competitions and immersive challenges. It is designed for all ages and represents Riyadh Season’s push into creator-driven entertainment.
Winter Wonderland (Free Before 6 PM)
A festive recreation featuring more than 80 rides — flying swings, adventure activities, carnival games and a House of Terror. The zone is dressed with ice sculptures, snow-covered trees and seasonal décor, plus daily musical performances and theatrical shows. Free entry before 6 PM daily; ticketed admission required after 6 PM.
BLVD Flowers
Spanning 215,000 square metres, BLVD Flowers features more than 200 million flowers, 200 floral sculptures and three decommissioned Boeing 777 aircraft repurposed as immersive installations. The zone includes 40 restaurants and cafés, making it one of the season’s most photogenic destinations.
Al-Suwaidi Park (Free Entry)
This green-space zone transforms into a rotating cultural showcase, with each week highlighting one of 13 cultures: Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. Food stalls, live performances and craft markets change weekly.
Via Riyadh
The season’s premium lifestyle destination, located in the Al-Hada district adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton. Via Riyadh combines upscale retail, fine dining, cinema screenings and cultural programming in a sophisticated mixed-use setting. Open 4 PM – 1 AM on weekdays and 4 PM – 2 AM on weekends.
The Groves
A returning fan favourite in the Al-Rafiah neighbourhood, The Groves features a lakeside theatre, new lounges and curated dining experiences set among landscaped gardens.
Riyadh Zoo (Free Entry)
One of the season’s family-friendly free zones, with capacity for up to 12,000 visitors. The zoo offers six sub-areas, 170 species, 1,600 animals and ten interactive experiences.
Roshn Front
A waterfront entertainment district featuring live events, sports screenings and family activities in a purpose-built outdoor setting.
AROYA Cruise (Floating Zone)
For the first time, Riyadh Season includes a floating entertainment zone aboard an AROYA Cruises ship on the Red Sea. The cruise features 14 destinations, 29 restaurants and cafés, ten spa and fitness facilities, and 20 onboard entertainment areas. AROYA also operates activations within Boulevard City and Boulevard World, where the lake has been transformed into the “Aroya Lagoon”.
Major Events Calendar
The 2025-26 programme is the most stacked in the season’s history. Below is every major confirmed event, organised by month.
October 2025
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Oct | Opening Ceremony and Parade | Boulevard City |
| 15–18 Oct | Six Kings Slam Tennis — Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz, Zverev, Fritz, Draper | ANB Arena |
| 16 Oct | Mohammed Abdo Concert (300+ patriotic songs) | TBA |
| 19 Oct | WBC Boxing Grand Prix — Semi-Finals | The Venue |
| 24–31 Oct | Kings Cup MENA — Seven-a-side football | TBA |
| 30 Oct – 1 Nov | Longines Global Champions Tour — Elite equestrian | TBA |
| 31 Oct | Power Slap 17 — Anthony Blackburn vs. Cole Young | The Venue |
November 2025
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1–8 Nov | WTA Finals — World’s top 8 singles players and doubles teams | TBA |
| 7, 11, 14 Nov | Kings Cup MENA — Knockout rounds | TBA |
| 19–21 Nov | Riyadh Season Snooker Championship | Boulevard City |
December 2025
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 11–13 Dec | MDLBeast Soundstorm — 200+ artists across 14 stages (Ava Max, Post Malone, Calvin Harris, Halsey, Benson Boone, Idris Elba) | Soundstorm venue |
| 20 Dec | WBC Boxing Grand Prix — Championship Final | The Venue |
| 27 Dec | Ring V: Night of the Samurai — Naoya Inoue vs. Alan David Picasso (junior featherweight title) | Mohammed Abdo Arena |
January 2026
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 19–20 Jan | Saudi Arabian Darts Masters | TBA |
| 26–28 Jan | Sneaker Con Riyadh | Boulevard City |
| 31 Jan | WWE Royal Rumble — First time outside North America | Kingdom Arena |
February 2026
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 5–7 Feb | LIV Golf Riyadh — Team golf under floodlights with fan village | TBA |
| 9–14 Feb | Premier Padel P1 — World’s top pairings | TBA |
| 12–14 Feb | PIF Saudi Ladies International — Championship golf | TBA |
| 14 Feb | Saudi Cup — World’s richest horse race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse | King Abdulaziz Racecourse |
March 2026
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Mar | Fanatics Flag Football Classic — Featuring Tom Brady; hosted by Kevin Hart | TBA |
Also announced: A Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua heavyweight showdown is reportedly being planned for 2026 as a Riyadh Season mega-event. No confirmed date at the time of writing — check the official Riyadh Season website for updates.
How to Buy Tickets
Most Riyadh Season events and zone entries are sold through webook.com, the official ticketing partner. Here is how the process works:
Ticket Price Guide
| Zone / Event | Price Range (SAR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boulevard City (general entry) | Free | Individual attractions ticketed separately |
| Boulevard World | 30–40 | SAR 30 weekdays, SAR 40 weekends; VIP from SAR 300 |
| Winter Wonderland | Free before 6 PM | Ticketed after 6 PM |
| Al-Suwaidi Park | Free | Rotating cultural showcase |
| Riyadh Zoo | Free | Family-friendly, up to 12,000 visitors |
| Six Kings Slam tennis | From 150 | Via webook.com |
| WWE Royal Rumble | Varies | Check webook.com closer to date |
| MDLBeast Soundstorm | Varies by tier | Multi-day passes available |
For budgeting purposes, check the Saudi Arabia currency guide — one SAR is roughly USD 0.27, so SAR 40 is about USD 11.
Budget tip: Four zones are completely free, and Winter Wonderland is free if you arrive before 6 PM. You can have a full evening at Riyadh Season without spending a riyal on entry.
Getting to Riyadh Season
Flying In
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) handles direct flights from most major hubs in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and North America. The airport is about 35 km north of the city centre. You will need a tourist e-visa, which can be obtained online before departure — citizens of 49 countries are eligible for the streamlined electronic visa.
Getting Around
Riyadh Season zones are spread across the city, so you will need transport between them. Your main options:
Tip: If you are visiting multiple zones in one trip, plan your route in advance. Boulevard City and Boulevard World are in different districts (Hittin and Al-Thumama respectively), and travel between them takes 15–25 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Where to Stay
Riyadh has accommodation at every price point, from five-star international chains to budget aparthotels. During Riyadh Season — especially around headline events like the Royal Rumble or Soundstorm — hotels fill quickly and prices rise, so book early. For a full breakdown, see the Saudi Arabia hotels guide.
Best Time to Visit
Riyadh Season deliberately runs during the Saudi capital’s cooler months. The weather in Riyadh between October and March is ideal for outdoor entertainment:
Note: Evenings can be surprisingly cool in December and January. Bring a light jacket — most zones are predominantly outdoors.
Practical Tips for Visitors
What to Wear
Riyadh Season zones are relaxed by Saudi standards, but dress respectfully. Men typically wear smart-casual clothing. Women are not required to wear an abaya at entertainment venues, though modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is expected. For more on dress codes and cultural etiquette, see the non-Muslim travel guide.
Food and Drink
Riyadh Season is a food destination in itself. Boulevard World alone has 350 restaurants and cafés spanning cuisines from Japanese ramen to Moroccan tagine. Boulevard City adds another 80+. Saudi Arabia does not serve alcohol, but the variety and quality of food across the zones is exceptional. Budget SAR 50–100 per meal at sit-down restaurants within the zones, or SAR 20–40 for street food and casual bites.
Families
Riyadh Season is designed to be family-friendly. Riyadh Zoo, Winter Wonderland and Al-Suwaidi Park are all free and geared toward children. Beast Land’s rides cater to multiple age groups. Pushchair access is generally good across the main zones.
Cash or Card?
Most vendors inside Riyadh Season zones accept card payments and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, STC Pay). However, carrying some cash is useful for smaller stalls and car-park tips. See the currency guide for ATM locations and exchange tips.
Safety and Crowds
Riyadh Season is heavily staffed with security, and the zones are generally very safe. The main challenge is crowd management during headline events — the opening ceremony, Soundstorm and major boxing or wrestling nights can draw enormous numbers. Arrive early, keep your phone charged, and agree on a meeting point with your group.
Beyond Riyadh Season
If your visit to Riyadh extends beyond the entertainment zones, the capital has plenty more to offer. The shopping scene includes Kingdom Centre Mall and the boutique stores along Tahlia Street. History lovers should visit the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif quarter in nearby Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi state. And for an escape from the city, the Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) offers dramatic cliff-top hiking just 90 minutes’ drive northwest — see the Saudi Arabia hiking guide for details.