Riyadh Season is the Middle East’s largest entertainment festival — a six-month programme of world-class concerts, championship boxing, global cuisine, and immersive cultural zones that transforms the Saudi capital from October through March every year. Since its launch in 2019, the festival has grown from a debut experiment into a recurring mega-event drawing over 20 million visitors per edition. This month-by-month calendar covers the full 2025–2026 season, helping you plan your trip around the events that matter most to you. For a broader look at the capital beyond the season, see our Riyadh travel guide, and if you’re planning your first visit to the Kingdom, start with the Saudi Arabia travel guide 2026.
Best Time to Visit: November – January (peak events, pleasant weather of 15–28 °C)
Getting There: Fly into King Khalid International Airport (RUH); direct flights from most major global hubs. See our airport guide
Visa Required: Yes — tourist e-visa available for 63 nationalities
Budget: $80–$250/day (zone entry SAR 30–40; event tickets SAR 150–3,000+; hotels spike during season)
Must-See: Boulevard World, Soundstorm music festival, WWE Royal Rumble
Avoid: Arriving without pre-booked accommodation — hotel prices surge 2–3x during peak weekends
What Is Riyadh Season?
Riyadh Season is organised by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), the body established by royal decree in May 2016 to develop Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector under Vision 2030. The festival is one of 11 Saudi Seasons — regional cultural programmes designed to attract domestic and international tourists — and is by far the largest.
The first edition launched on 11 October 2019 and attracted 10.3 million visitors across 100 events in 12 zones. Subsequent editions scaled dramatically: the 2021–2022 season drew 15 million visitors across 7,000+ events, and the 2023–2024 edition peaked at 20 million. The current 2025–2026 edition, which opened on 10 October 2025 and runs through late March 2026, features 11 entertainment zones, 15 world championships, 34 exhibitions, and more than 200 concerts.
GEA Chairman Turki Al Sheikh oversees the festival’s programming and has become its most visible champion, personally announcing headline acts and attendance milestones on social media. The inaugural edition generated an estimated SAR 6 billion in revenue, with a 106% increase in flight bookings and a 240% surge in hotel bookings.
The 11 Zones of Riyadh Season 2025–2026
Each Riyadh Season zone occupies a distinct district of the capital, typically 20–30 minutes apart by car. Understanding the zones is essential for planning your calendar, because most headline events are tied to a specific venue. Here is a summary of the key zones for the current edition:
Boulevard City
The flagship free-entry zone in Al Hittin district. Boulevard City hosts six new experiences this season alongside 20+ concerts, more than 80 restaurants, and 14 theatrical performances. It is the site of the opening ceremony, the Riyadh Comedy Festival, major concerts, and the season’s signature nightlife. This is where you’ll spend most of your evenings. Use Uber or Careem to reach it — parking is notoriously scarce on event nights.
Boulevard World
The immersive cultural megapark with 24 themed sub-zones representing 15 countries, including new additions for 2025: Indonesia, Kuwait, and South Korea. Boulevard World features approximately 40 rides, 1,700 shops, and more than 500 restaurants. Entry costs SAR 30 on weekdays and SAR 40 on weekends. Opening hours are 4 PM to midnight. It is one of the most family-friendly zones and stays open longer than most — Boulevard World’s 2025–2026 run extends into May.
Via Riyadh
The upscale zone offering fine dining, luxury retail, and curated exhibitions including the “I Am Arab” exhibition and the Social Salon. Via Riyadh suits visitors looking for a more refined evening out.
Beast Land
Opened on 13 November 2025, Beast Land includes more than 40 shops and restaurants, 15 motion games, and 12 innovative entertainment experiences. This zone skews younger and more adrenaline-focused.
Other Zones
Riyadh Season 2025–2026 also includes Kingdom Arena (major sporting events), ANB Arena (boxing and tennis), Roshn Front, National Museum Park, Riyadh Zoo, and several pop-up zones. Check the official Riyadh Season guide for the full zone map and opening dates.
October: The Grand Opening
October marks the start of Riyadh Season and the return of comfortable evening temperatures to the capital. Daytime highs still reach 35 °C in early October but drop to around 27 °C by month’s end, and evenings are pleasant at 18–22 °C.
Opening Ceremony (10 October)
The 2025 opening ceremony at Boulevard City featured a 300-strong procession, 25 festive floats, and more than 3,000 dancers. For the first time, Macy’s iconic New York-style balloons paraded through the zone. Entry was free. Expect a similar spectacle for the 2026–2027 edition — the opening night consistently draws over a million visitors in its first weekend.
Riyadh Comedy Festival (Early October)
Running through 9 October, the comedy festival at Boulevard City brought international headliners including Jack Whitehall, Pete Davidson, Russell Peters, Jimmy Carr, Andrew Schulz, Tom Segura, and regional stars like Mo Amer. Tickets were available via webook.com and typically sold out quickly for A-list names.
Six Kings Slam Tennis (15–18 October)
Held at ANB Arena, this invitational tournament featured the world’s top players including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic. Tickets started at SAR 150. The Six Kings Slam debuted in October 2024 and returned for a second edition, establishing October as a marquee tennis month in Riyadh.
Mohammed Abdo Concert (16 October)
The “Artist of the Arabs,” with over 125 albums to his name, performed at Boulevard City. His concerts are a cultural institution in Saudi Arabia and draw enormous crowds.
WBC Boxing Grand Prix — Semi-Finals (19 October)
The first leg of the WBC Grand Prix at The Venue, with the championship final following in December.
Kings Cup MENA Football (24–31 October, into November)
A seven-a-side football tournament with rolling substitutions, running across October and into mid-November. Matches on 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 October and 7, 11, 14 November.
November: Sport and Culture Peak
November is arguably the best month to visit for Riyadh Season. The weather is ideal — highs of 27 °C, lows of 14 °C — and the event calendar is stacked with world-class sport. Hotel prices are elevated but not yet at December–January peak.
Longines Global Champions Tour (30 October – 1 November)
Elite international equestrian show jumping, straddling October and November. The Riyadh leg attracts top riders and is part of the global championship circuit.
Power Slap (31 October)
Held at The Venue, headlined by Anthony “Babyface” Blackburn vs. Cole “Full Send” Young. Power Slap is Dana White’s open-palm striking league and draws a niche but enthusiastic following.
WTA Finals (1–8 November)
The season-ending championship for women’s tennis, bringing the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams to Riyadh. This is the WTA’s most prestigious event outside the Grand Slams and was a major coup for the Saudi sports calendar. Multi-day passes were available.
Beast Land Opens (13 November)
The zone with 15 motion games and 12 entertainment experiences opens in mid-November, adding another destination to the season’s map.
Riyadh Season Snooker Championship (19–21 November)
A professional snooker event at Boulevard City. Saudi Arabia has been aggressively expanding its snooker hosting calendar, and this event sits alongside the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
The Ring IV: Night of the Champions — Boxing (22 November)
Held at ANB Arena, the Ring IV card was headlined by David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde. The Ring series has become one of Riyadh Season’s marquee boxing franchises, with each edition built around a world-title fight.
Booking tip: November is the sweet spot for Riyadh Season — the weather is perfect, the calendar is packed, and hotels are 20–30% cheaper than during the December–January peak. Book your accommodation at least 6–8 weeks ahead, especially for WTA Finals week.
December: Soundstorm and Boxing Finals
December brings Saudi National Day celebrations (though the actual date is 23 September, extended events run into autumn), cooler temperatures averaging 15–22 °C, and the season’s biggest music event.
MDLBeast Soundstorm (11–13 December)
The Middle East’s largest music festival transforms a desert site outside Riyadh into the “City of Sound.” The 2025 edition featured Post Malone, Calvin Harris, Halsey, Cardi B, Ava Max, Idris Elba, and Pitbull. Previous editions have drawn David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Tiesto, and Bruno Mars. Soundstorm runs as a standalone ticketed event within the broader Riyadh Season umbrella. For a deeper dive, see our Soundstorm festival guide.
WBC Boxing Grand Prix — Championship Final (20 December)
The concluding round of the WBC Grand Prix that began in October. Expect a full undercard of elimination bouts leading to the final.
Ring V: Night of the Samurai — Boxing (27 December)
At Mohammed Abdo Arena, the Ring V main event pitted undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue against Alan David Picasso. Inoue, widely considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, drew a massive international audience to Riyadh.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Boulevard City and Boulevard World both host New Year’s Eve programming with concerts, fireworks, and extended hours. These are among the most crowded nights of the entire season — arrive early and expect long queues.
Weather note: December evenings in Riyadh can drop to 8–10 °C. Pack a jacket if you’re spending the evening at Boulevard World or attending Soundstorm, which takes place in the open desert.
January: WWE, Darts, and the Home Stretch
January is Riyadh’s coldest month, with average highs of 21 °C and lows around 9 °C. It is also the month that delivers the season’s single biggest global event.
Saudi Arabian Darts Masters (19–20 January)
Part of the PDC World Series of Darts, this two-day invitational brings the sport’s top names to Riyadh. The event has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2024 and is part of the Kingdom’s broader push to host niche sports with dedicated global fanbases.
WWE Royal Rumble (31 January 2026)
The first Royal Rumble held outside North America. Staged at a purpose-built temporary outdoor stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District, the event drew a massive live and streaming audience. The men’s match was won by Roman Reigns; the women’s match by Liv Morgan. WWE has held 14 events in Saudi Arabia as part of a long-term partnership, but hosting the Royal Rumble — one of WWE’s “Big Five” premium live events — marked a new tier of commitment. Tickets ranged from SAR 100 to SAR 5,000+ for ringside.
February: Golf, Padel, and Ramadan Approach
February is a transitional month. Temperatures start climbing again (highs of 24 °C) and the approach of Ramadan — which in 2026 begins around 18 February — reshapes the final stretch of the season. Some events continue through Ramadan; others pause.
LIV Golf Riyadh (5–7 February)
The Saudi-backed golf league holds its Riyadh event in early February. LIV Golf events are played over three rounds (54 holes) with shotgun starts and a team format. Entry is typically free for spectators, though VIP hospitality packages are sold separately.
Premier Padel P1 (9–14 February)
Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in Saudi Arabia, and this Premier Padel event brings the world’s top players to Riyadh. The sport has exploded in popularity across the Gulf, with new courts opening across Riyadh’s residential compounds.
PIF Saudi Ladies International (12–14 February)
A women’s professional golf tournament supported by the Public Investment Fund. The event underscores Saudi Arabia’s expanding calendar of women’s sport.
Ramadan (from ~18 February)
The start of Ramadan significantly changes the rhythm of Riyadh Season. Many zones shift to nighttime-only hours (opening after iftar, typically 6–7 PM). Alcohol-free Riyadh operates as normal, but restaurant opening hours change and daytime entertainment options thin out. Boulevard World typically remains open with adjusted hours. Check the official Riyadh Season app for updated schedules.
March: Final Events and Season Close
Riyadh Season 2025–2026 wraps up at the end of March. March events tend to be announced later than the rest of the calendar, so check the Riyadh Season website and app for late additions.
Fanatics Flag Football Classic (21 March 2026)
A celebrity flag football game featuring Tom Brady and hosted by Kevin Hart. This event reflects the growing crossover between American sports entertainment and Saudi event programming.
Season Closing Events
Expect closing-week concerts, fireworks, and extended hours at the major zones. The closing weekend typically draws large crowds as residents rush to experience the season one final time before the summer heat arrives.
Note: While the main Riyadh Season programme ends in late March, Boulevard World has historically extended its run into May. Check for post-season hours if you’re visiting in April.
How Riyadh Season Has Grown: Edition by Edition
| Edition | Dates | Visitors | Zones | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (2019–2020) | Oct 11 – Jan 2020 | 10.3 million | 12 | Inaugural edition; SAR 6 billion revenue |
| 2nd (2021–2022) | Oct 20 – Mar 2022 | 15 million | 14 | 7,000+ events; post-COVID comeback |
| 3rd (2022–2023) | Oct 21 – Mar 2023 | 15 million | 15 | 8,500 activity days; Riyadh Season Cup (PSG vs Riyadh XI) |
| 4th (2023–2024) | Oct 28 – Mar 2024 | 20 million | 14 | Fury vs Ngannou; Joshua vs Ngannou; Six Kings Slam debut |
| 5th (2024–2025) | Oct 12 – Mar 2025 | ~19 million | 14 | Usyk vs Fury II; continued global expansion |
| 6th (2025–2026) | Oct 10 – Mar 2026 | 14M+ (mid-season) | 11 | First WWE Royal Rumble outside North America |
Tickets: Where and How to Buy
All Riyadh Season event tickets are sold through the official channels:
- Riyadh Season App — the primary platform for browsing and purchasing. Available on iOS and Android.
- webook.com — the official Saudi ticketing partner. Handles most event and zone entry tickets.
- riyadhseason.com — the official website with event listings and direct ticket links.
- Zone entry (Boulevard World): SAR 30 weekdays / SAR 40 weekends (~$8–$11 USD)
- Boulevard City: Free entry
- Concerts: SAR 150–1,500 depending on artist and seating
- Boxing/wrestling (major events): SAR 100–5,000+
- Tennis (Six Kings Slam): From SAR 150
- Soundstorm: Day passes from SAR 299; multi-day VIP packages significantly more
- Riyadh Travel Guide — Things to do, metro, hotels, and Diriyah in the Saudi capital
- Riyadh Season Guide 2025–2026 — Full overview of zones, events, and tickets
- Soundstorm Festival Guide — Everything you need to know about MDLBeast’s mega music event
- Saudi Arabia Events Calendar 2026 — Month-by-month guide to festivals and events across the Kingdom
- Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
- Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — Every visa type explained
Pricing Guide
Tip: Headline acts sell out within hours of release. Follow the Riyadh Season app for ticket drop notifications. Resale at inflated prices is common on third-party platforms but not officially sanctioned.
Practical Tips for Visitors
Getting Around
Riyadh Season zones are spread across the city and separated by 20–30 minutes of driving. The Uber and Careem apps are the easiest way to move between zones, though surge pricing applies on major event nights. Riyadh’s Metro (opened 2024) connects some areas, with Line 4 running from King Khalid Airport to the King Abdullah Financial District in about 30 minutes for just SAR 4. Car hire averages around $40/day.
Where to Stay
Hotels near Boulevard City (Al Hittin, Al Olaya, KAFD) are the most convenient but most expensive during the season. Budget travellers should consider apart-hotels in Al Malaz or Al Murabba, which are 15–20 minutes by ride-hail. Book at least 2–3 months in advance for the October–January peak; prices can spike 200–300% on event weekends. For detailed recommendations, see our Saudi Arabia hotels guide.
What to Wear
Riyadh Season events are relatively relaxed by Saudi standards, but the Kingdom’s dress code still applies — shoulders and knees should be covered in public. Evenings from November to February are cool (8–15 °C), so bring layers. Women do not need to wear an abaya but modest dress is expected. For more on what to expect as a first-time visitor, see our non-Muslim travel guide.
Food and Drink
Boulevard World alone has 500+ restaurants. Saudi Arabia does not serve alcohol, but the dining scene is outstanding — from street-food stalls in the themed country zones to fine dining at Via Riyadh. Most zone restaurants are open from 4 PM to midnight; during Ramadan, expect post-iftar hours only. For broader tips, see our shopping and dining guide.
Currency and Payments
Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi Riyal (SAR), pegged at 3.75 to the US dollar. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere within Riyadh Season zones. Apple Pay and mada (the Saudi debit network) work seamlessly at most vendors.
When to Go: Choosing Your Month
| Month | Weather | Crowd Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 27–35 °C (warm) | Moderate | Opening ceremony, comedy festival, tennis |
| November | 20–27 °C (ideal) | High | WTA Finals, boxing, equestrian, best weather-to-crowd ratio |
| December | 15–22 °C (cool) | Very High | Soundstorm, boxing finals, NYE events |
| January | 14–21 °C (cold) | Very High | WWE Royal Rumble, darts, peak season atmosphere |
| February | 16–24 °C (warming) | Moderate–High | Golf, padel, quieter zone experiences before Ramadan |
| March | 20–28 °C (warm) | Moderate | Closing events, smaller crowds, last-chance visits |
Planning Your Visit: Key Dates at a Glance
The following confirmed dates are from the 2025–2026 edition. Future editions typically follow the same October–March structure with events announced from August onwards.
| Date | Event | Venue/Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Oct | Opening Ceremony | Boulevard City |
| Through 9 Oct | Riyadh Comedy Festival | Boulevard City |
| 15–18 Oct | Six Kings Slam Tennis | ANB Arena |
| 16 Oct | Mohammed Abdo Concert | Boulevard City |
| 19 Oct | WBC Grand Prix Semi-Finals | The Venue |
| 24–31 Oct | Kings Cup MENA Football | Various |
| 30 Oct – 1 Nov | Longines Global Champions Tour | Equestrian venue |
| 31 Oct | Power Slap | The Venue |
| 1–8 Nov | WTA Finals | Tennis centre |
| 13 Nov | Beast Land Opens | Beast Land zone |
| 19–21 Nov | Snooker Championship | Boulevard City |
| 22 Nov | Ring IV Boxing | ANB Arena |
| 11–13 Dec | MDLBeast Soundstorm | Desert site (Banban) |
| 20 Dec | WBC Grand Prix Final | The Venue |
| 27 Dec | Ring V Boxing (Inoue) | Mohammed Abdo Arena |
| 19–20 Jan | Saudi Darts Masters | TBC |
| 31 Jan | WWE Royal Rumble | KAFD Stadium |
| 5–7 Feb | LIV Golf Riyadh | Golf course TBC |
| 9–14 Feb | Premier Padel P1 | TBC |
| 12–14 Feb | PIF Saudi Ladies International | Golf course TBC |
| 21 Mar | Fanatics Flag Football Classic | TBC |