Riyadh Season 2025 is back this October with its biggest-ever slate of sports, culture, and citywide spectacles, stretching into early 2026. Expect headline tennis showdowns, world-title boxing, global comedy names, mega-concerts, and flagship zones like Boulevard City and VIA Riyadh running late into the night. If you’re planning a trip, or you live in the capital, this guide highlights what’s new, how to get tickets, and the smartest ways to experience Riyadh Season 2025 without missing a beat.
What is Riyadh Season?
Riyadh Season is Saudi Arabia’s annual entertainment mega-festival, typically running from October to March, filling the city with events across dedicated “zones” and arenas (Boulevard City, Boulevard World, Mohammed Abdo Arena, Kingdom Arena, and the purpose-built anb Arena). It’s curated by the General Entertainment Authority and attracts millions of visitors with music, sport, pop-ups, art, and family attractions.
Riyadh Season 2025 to Open with a Grand Parade
Riyadh Season 2025 kicks off on Friday, October 10 with a dazzling opening parade from Boulevard City, featuring:
- 300 performers
- 25 themed floats
- 3,000 dancers and artists
The streets will transform into a stage, with free, open-air entertainment for the public. Arrive early to grab a good viewing spot!
What’s New for Riyadh Season 2025?
This edition leans hard into elite sport and blockbuster spectacles alongside fresh culture drops. Tennis on global broadcast, a championship boxing night, a major cybersecurity expo, a citywide comedy festival, and huge MDLBEAST weekends. Here’s what to lock into your calendar:
1) MrBeast Park at the All-New Beast Land
Riyadh Season 2025 introduces Beast Land in the Hittin district, a high-energy new zone featuring:
- 15 motion-based rides and games
- 12 cutting-edge entertainment experiences
- 40+ restaurants, cafes, and shopping outlets
At its heart is the world’s first MrBeast Park, created with YouTube star MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson). Visitors can try interactive challenges inspired by his viral videos, enjoy bold stunts, and sample his Feastables snacks. MrBeast himself is set to appear at the grand opening this November.
MrBeast has signed with #RiyadhSeason to produce exclusive content, bring world class experiences like MrBeast Park and epic challenges to Saudi Arabia for the first time and appear at the next season’s opening ceremony 😎🔥 pic.twitter.com/62bRnbhcCt
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) May 1, 2025
2) Riyadh Comedy Festival
A brand-new, city-wide laughfest centered on Boulevard City and running Sept 26–Oct 9, 2025, now comes with a starry roll call: Kevin Hart, Russell Peters, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Pete Davidson, Chris Tucker, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Andrew Schulz, Jimmy Carr, Jo Koy, Aziz Ansari, Tom Segura, Jack Whitehall, Mo Amer, and Dave Chappelle.
Expect early and late shows across multiple stages, plus surprise club sets around town. Keep evenings flexible; lineups evolve and the best drop-ins sell out fast. (Always check the official listing for final schedules and any last-minute additions!)
3) Countries Added to Boulevard World
Boulevard World expands in 2025 with the addition of three new cultural zones:
- Indonesia
- Kuwait
- South Korea
That brings the total number of represented countries to 24, alongside thousands of restaurants and global attractions. It remains the most diverse and immersive zone of the season.
4) Six Kings Slam (Oct 15–18, 2025) at anb Arena
On October 15, 16, and 18, 2025, ANB Arena welcomes six tennis heavyweights, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Jack Draper, for a three-day showcase of power and precision. The arena tennis showcase returns with a made-for-TV format and a Netflix global stream, meaning top-tier production values on and off the court. Expect a compact 3-day schedule, premium hospitality tiers, and player appearances that make it feel like tennis meets showtime.
5) WTA Finals (Nov 1–8, 2025) at KSU Indoor Arena
The Women's Tennis Association season finale brings the year’s top eight singles players and doubles teams to King Saud University Indoor Arena. With a US$15.5m commitment, it’s one of tennis’s glitziest showdowns, and a superb family night out thanks to indoor comfort and polished presentation. Tickets typically tier from baseline lower to hospitality lounges; semis and the final sell out first.
6) “Night of the Samurai” (Riyadh - Dec 27, 2025)
Year-end boxing goes next-level as undisputed star Naoya Inoue tops Ring V: Night of the Samurai against Mexico’s Alan David Picasso at Mohammed Abdo Arena. Multiple outlets confirm the date, venue, and main event, part of the Season’s push to bring pound-for-pound headliners to Riyadh. Mohammed Abdo’s amphitheater sightlines make even the upper tiers feel close. Aim for mid-bowl seats for the best price-to-view ratio.
7) Black Hat MEA (Riyadh - Dec 2–4, 2025)
One of the world’s largest cybersecurity gatherings Black Hat MEA lands at Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center, Malham, drawing tens of thousands of attendees, hundreds of exhibitors, and 250+ hours of content. Even if you’re not a security pro, the keynote sessions, Hands-On Labs, and expo demos are a fascinating tech counterpoint to the city’s concerts and sports nights. Book passes early and plan travel around morning traffic to Malham.
8) The Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams Exhibition
While this blockbuster fashion retrospective ran Nov 21, 2024 – Apr 2, 2025 at the Saudi National Museum (Al Murabba), its success signals more major design exhibitions on the horizon during the Season window. If you’re a culture traveler, monitor museum listings and Visit Saudi for new fashion/art announcements, you’ll often find late-night openings aligned with Season hours.
9) Dunes of Arabia
This immersive desert-themed experience usually opens in December and sits outside the city core, blending heritage activations, live shows, and dune adventures, including falconry demos, traditional crafts, and sunset performances. Programming updates drop via the Riyadh Season site; book timed entries for golden-hour light and fewer crowds. Wear closed shoes (sand) and bring a light layer for breezy nights.
10) MDLBEAST Concerts
December in Riyadh belongs to MDLBEAST: industry conference XP Music Futures (Dec 4–6, 2025) and three epic nights of SOUNDSTORM (Dec 11–13, 2025). Expect global headliners like Post Malone and Tyla, huge stages in Banban, and a festival infrastructure that now runs like clockwork. Many MDLBEAST events require the NOFOMO app for ticket access and entry, so set that up before you fly.
11) Boulevard Flowers: A Floral Fantasy
Replacing Wonder Garden this year, Boulevard Flowers is a nature-themed wonderland that features:
- 200 million real flowers
- 200 giant floral sculptures
- Family rides and installations
- Three decommissioned Boeing 777 aircraft converted into unique exhibits
- 40 cafes and restaurants
A stunning evening destination that blends art, nature, and light.
12) Fly Over Saudi: A Virtual Sky Tour
A brand-new experience allows visitors to fly virtually over Saudi Arabia inside a state-of-the-art simulator. This 15-minute experience:
- Runs every 15 minutes
- Accommodates up to 90 people per session
- Covers all regions of Saudi Arabia using ultra-HD visuals and motion tech
Ideal for culture explorers and first-time visitors to get a panoramic taste of the Kingdom.
13) Suwaidi Park: Celebrate 13 Cultures for Free
One of three free-entry zones, Suwaidi Park turns into a cultural mosaic with:
- Representations from 13 countries, including: India, Pakistan, Jordan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Sudan, Palestine, Yemen, Syria, and more
- Traditional dances, folk music, food stalls, crafts, and concerts
- A family-friendly atmosphere with carnival vibes and shopping streets
Located near Al-Suwaidi Main Street and King Fahd Road, it’s a must-visit for global culture fans.
14) The Groves: Theatre by the Lake
Located in Rafia district, The Groves is a boutique zone offering a serene, upscale twist on Riyadh Season. Expect:
- A lakeside theatre
- 7 new restaurants
- 16 artisan shops
- 25 curated shows
- Cozy lounges and relaxed event spaces
Perfect for couples, friend groups, and those seeking a slower pace.
15) Riyadh Zoo: Free Entry + Wild New Experiences
This year, Riyadh Zoo becomes one of Riyadh Season’s free-entry family destinations, featuring:
- 1,600 animals across 170 species
- Six themed sub-zones
- Ten family-friendly activities
- 16 restaurants and cafes
- Four all-new immersive wildlife experiences
Great for families with kids looking for a fun and educational afternoon.
Expanded Line-Up of Gulf and Arab Theatre
This season celebrates rich Arabic storytelling with 14 new plays, including performances from:
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
- Qatar
- UAE
- Gulf region’s top playwrights and actors
Look out for showtimes in Boulevard City and The Groves.
How to Get Tickets for Riyadh Season 2025
- Webook (Official): the primary hub for Season tickets, from arenas to zone entries. Create an account, add payment, and enable notifications.
- NOFOMO App: widely used for MDLBEAST and nightlife; many events require the app for ticket access and scanning at gates.
- Visit Saudi Calendar: browse events and use the Buy Tickets buttons to route to authorized sellers.
Getting Around
- Ride-hailing: abundant; follow signed pick-up zones at Boulevard and arenas to avoid detours.
- Driving/parking: arrive early on finals and concert nights; garages near Boulevard publish live capacity.
- Event shuttles: major cards sometimes add shuttle services, check the specific event page or Visit Saudi listing on the day.
FAQs
When Does Riyadh Season 2025 Start?
Core programming rolls through October 2025, with major events mid-October to mid-March 2026.
Is Riyadh Season Entry Free?
Many public zones are free to walk around, but most attractions and events are ticketed. Book tickets on WEBOOK (official). Music/nightlife shows are often listed on NOFOMO too.
Is Riyadh Season Worth Visiting?
Yes, if you like big, high-energy experiences. It’s one of the world’s largest city-wide festivals, drawing millions of visitors and packing Riyadh with themed zones, headline shows, sports, dining, art, and family attractions from October-March.