Here’s how to make the most of the month ahead.
It’s a new year, which means it’s a chance to try new things. Saudi Arabia is filled with festivals, from Diriyah Season to Riyadh Season. Pop-ups are opening across the country, from Al Khobar to AlUla. Plus, there are plenty of concerts by local and international artists. Here are the best things to do in Saudi Arabia in January.
Wednesday 1 January
Celebrate the new year at A.O.K Kitchen
The FACT award-winning A.O.K. Kitchen offers a special brunch menu on New Year’s Day. The restaurant offers laid-back brunch. The menu includes dishes that are free from refined sugar and consciously limited in dairy and gluten. The brunch is available from 12pm to 4pm.
GO: Visit www.aokkitchen.co.uk for more information.
Thursday 2 January
Be the first to visit the new Desert Rock Resort
Desert Rock Resort boasts a spectacular setting, as it is situated within the desert cliffs. The unique hotel features 48 stunning villas and 12 well-appointed rooms, offering discerning travellers an exclusive and secluded retreat. Designed with modern luxury in mind, the recently released videos showcase rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide panoramic views of the desert landscape. Private pools offer a tranquil oasis for relaxation, while the resort’s contemporary furnishings create a stylish and comfortable ambience for guests. The project is fully integrated into the rock, showcasing a harmonious blend of architecture and nature.
GO: Visit www.redseaglobal.com for more information.
Friday 3 January
Visit Diriyah Season
Saudi Arabia knows how to put on a season. The next season coming up in the Kingdom is Diriyah Season. The season includes events after dark, which cover arts, culture and music. Look out for illuminated walkways, poetry readings and theatre shows.
GO: Follow @diriyahseason on Instagram for more information.
Saturday 4 January
Watch Ghost Cat Anzu at Hayy Cinema
Ghost Cat Anzuis is being screened at Hayy Cinema in Jeddah. The film follows the friendship shared between Karin, a strong-willed girl, and her monk granddad. He becomes her unexpected guardian.
GO: Visit https://hayyjameel.org for more information.
Sunday 5 January
Visit Dolce&Gabbana’s first café in Saudi Arabia
“Can you please spell Gabbana?” Fashion fans, we have some stylish news. Diriyah is home to many things, from fine dining restaurants to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now, it is collaborating with a legendary Italian fashion house. Dolce&Gabbana has opened its largest store in Saudi Arabia and its first café in the region at Bujairi Terrace.
GO: Visit https://bujairi.sa for more information.
Monday 6 January
Watch EA Sports Cup FC Supercup’s final
EA Sports Cup FC Supercup has kicked off in Riyadh. The event brings together different clubs. The teams include Atalanta, Inter Milan and Juventus. The final takes place on 6 January. Tickets start from SAR 110.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for tickets and more information.
Tuesday 7 January
Enjoy AlUla on Wheels’ music nights
Saudi, there’s an exciting event rolling into the Kingdom. AlUla on Wheels runs until 21 February and is a fun-filled experience for the family. Taking place in Al Jadidah district, you can catch DJ Igniter on 6 and 7 January. Tickets are available now, and start from SAR 150.
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.
Wednesday 8 January
Watch the Spanish Super Cup
The Spanish Super Cup runs from 8 to 12 January at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. The cup started back in 2020, and sees the best of the football world face each other in Jeddah. Athletic Bilbao, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and RCD Mallorca will face each other in the field.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for more information.
Thursday 9 January
Check out Hayy Matsuri! in Jeddah
Hayy Matsuri! celebrates the special relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan. Now in its second edition, it runs from 9 to 11 January. The programme includes live performances from Saudi and Japanese artists. Plus, there are family-friendly workshops, film screenings and an artisanal market with Japanese ats, craft and food.
GO: Visit https://hayyjameel.org for more information.
Friday 10 January
Have lunch at SUSHISAMBA Riyadh
SUSHISAMBA Riyadh is now open for lunch. Step into its vibrant ambience and escape the midday hustle while indulging in a unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavours. Experience the new Hayai Lunch Menu, thoughtfully crafted for a quick yet memorable meal.
GO: Call +966 11 269 5347 for reservations and more information.
Saturday 11 January
Check out Souq Al Awaleen in Riyadh
Open daily from 3pm to 11pm, Souq Al Awaleen is one of the many zones in Riyadh Season. This zone offers a celebration of Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and heritage. This traditional market reflects the Kingdom’s identity, offering an immersive journey through the diverse regions of the country. Each corner of the market showcases a variety of handicrafts, attire, and spices from different provinces.
GO: Visit https://riyadhseason.com for more information.
Sunday 12 January
Shop at Maison Assouline in Bujairi Terrace
The iconic French luxury publisher and lifestyle brand Assouline has opened its flagship store in Riyadh: Maison Assouline Riyadh. Located in Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace, this cool cultural sanctuary is spread over two stories, the store celebrates the art of living, featuring Assouline’s products and vintage collections.
GO: Visit www.assouline.com for more information.
Monday 13 January
Grab a snack at Saudi Arabia’s first sourdough café
The Rustic Bakery prides itself on bringing international pastries to the local market. At the heart of the menu is sourdough, which has been created by Executive Chef, Francesco Luigi Carusi. The Rustic Bakery’s menu includes bread, cakes, cookies, croissants, desserts, pastries, sourdoughs, and tarts. Sourdough options include Rustic Sourdough, Seeds Sourdough, and Walnut Sourdough. Croissants range from Croissant Parigino to Croissant Pistashio.
GO: Visit https://rustic-bakery.com for more information.
Tuesday 14 January
Checkout Fairmont Riyadh’s new spa menu
Fairmont Riyadh’s Fairmont Spa has unveiled a new menu. The menu features collaborations with Lululemon and Thalion. Thalion specialises in marine-inspired wellness, and offers treatments promoting relaxation and rejuvenation. Treatments include a Revitalising Massage, Ocean Bliss Massage and the Escape Rejuvenation Journey.
GO: Visit www.fairmont.com for more information.
Wednesday 15 January
Watch a match between Al Shabab and Al Riyadh
Saudi Arabia is making a name for itself with its football league. On 15 January, you can watch a match between Al Shabab and Al Riyadh at Al Shabab Club Stadium in Riyadh. Tickets start from SAR 10.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for more information.
Thursday 16 January
Join AlUla Arts Festival
AlUla Arts Festival runs from 16 January to 22 February. Now in its fourth edition, the festival brings together exciting events, from art exhibitions to music shows. The events include exhibitions, dance and music performances from local as well as international artists. Plus, guests can join talks, workshops and specially curated programmes.
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.
Friday 17 January
Check out the new Zuma Riyadh
Zuma Riyadh recently opened, and FACT was one of the first media publications inside the venue. The two-story venue is connected by a dramatic spiral staircase and features three distinct kitchens: the main kitchen, a robata grill, and a sushi counter. Guests can explore a dynamic restaurant, upstairs lounge space, and signature bar churning out zero-proof Zuma signatures.
GO: Visit https://zumarestaurant.com for reservations and more information.
Saturday 18 January
Check out MDLBeast’s cool cultural space
The team behind the MDLBeast Sounstorm has transformed a former equestrian club into a music venue. Located in the Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, Attaché prioritises local ingredients, eco-friendly cleaning practices, and reducing food waste through initiatives like its kitchen garden. The aim is to create community-based event spaces, connect artists together, and create a social space.
GO: Visit https://mdlbeast.com for more information.
Sunday 19 January
Try the business lunch at La Petite Maison Riyadh
Make your weekday lunchtimes more lovely with La Petite Maison Riyadh’s Business Lunch. Running from Sunday to Thursday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, the experience showcases French cuisine with seasonal dishes like Chestnut Velouté, Crab Risotto with Caviar and Pan-fried Scallops, and the Jean à Jean mocktail.
GO: Visit https://lpmrestaurants.com/riyadh for more information.
Monday 20 January
Visit the FACT Dining Award winner Kuuru
In Riyadh, homegrown talent competes with international chefs in one of the region’s most competitive dining markets. FACT’s Restaurant of the Year 2024 in Saudi Arabia was Kuuru Riyadh, which is a homegrown success story that has been making waves across the Kingdom.
GO: Visit www.kuururestaurant.com for more information.
Tuesday 21 January
Catch Diriyah Art Futures’ first exhibition
Diriyah Art Futures has unveiled its first art exhibition, Art Must Be Artificial: Perspectives of AI in the Visual Arts. Running from 26 November to 14 February, it showcases the power of digital art, new forms of technological development and the history of computer art, from the 1960s to the present day.
GO: Visit https://daf.moc.gov.sa for more information.
Wednesday 22 January
Check out BLVD Runway at Riyadh Season
BLVD Runway, which forms part of Riyadh Season 2024, showcases a plane-inspired experience and brings together entertainment on board three specially designed planes. The highly anticipated attraction has been developed with Saudi Arabian Airlines, Saudia.
GO: Visit https://riyadhseason.com for more information.
Thursday 23 January
Dine at Café Boulud
Saudi Arabia is fast becoming a dining destination. Now, it’s about to get more exciting, thanks to the launch of restaurateur Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre. At Café Boulud Riyadh, you can indulge in a thoughtfully curated menu that celebrates the distinct flavours of French cuisine. Highlights include the Lavender-Glazed Duck Breast and Potato-Wrapped Sea Bass, alongside Thai-infused dishes from the Voyage menu.
GO: Visit www.fourseasons.com for more information.
Friday 24 January
Be wowed by Warner Bros pop-up in Riyadh
Blvd City is hosting the largest-ever Warner Bros pop-up, which brings the screen to life with family-friendly fun. Whether you’re a superhero fan or just love Warner Bros classic characters, from Bugs Bunny to Daffy Duck, then this is the place for you.
GO: Visit https://riyadhseason.com for more information.
Saturday 25 January
Dine at the celebrity favourite Mr Chow
A-listers from Adele to Justin Bieber have been spotted at Mr Chow. With venues across America, from Beverly Hills to New York City, the restaurant recently opened in Riyadh. Executive Chef Jia Hef is behind the fine dining menu, which includes Chicken Satay, Green Prawns, Peking Duck and handmade noodles.
GO: Visit www.mrchow.com for more information.
Sunday 26 January
Eat at the newly opened Akira Back
Akira Back has restaurants in Dubai, London, Paris, Seoul, Singapore, and Toronto. Now, the celebrity chef has opened his self-titled concept to Riyadh. Located at 1364 in the Diplomatic Quarter, it showcases Japanese and Korean cuisine.
GO: Visit https://unifiedhospitality.com for reservations and more information.
Monday 27 January
Tuck into coffees and cakes at Bakers Field
Mutah Beale has been making his mark in Saudi Arabia. The American rapper turned restaurateur is behind the concepts OKLA, Q On Da Go and the FACT award winning Smokey Beards Q. Now, he has opened the new café, Bakers Field, which can be found in Hittin. Head to the counter for the pretty pastries, freshly baked bread and speciality coffee. Plus, it includes an industrial chic look with exposed bricks, soft beige and browns and white tables.
GO: Follow @bakersfieldsa on Instagram for more information.
Tuesday 28 January
Get your fashion fix with Christian Dior
Fashion, food and fun come together this Riyadh Season. Christian Dior, The Designer of Dreams Exhibition takes place at Al Murabaa National Museum. The exhibition will also be home to a pop-up Dior café and souvenir shop.
GO: Visit https://riyadhseason.com for more information.
Wednesday 29 January
Check out the FACT favourite Jon & Vinny’s
Jon & Vinny’s, the celebrated Los Angeles-based eatery known for its fresh, flavourful Italian-American cuisine. Recognised as a FACT Dining Award winner, it’s loved for its innovative approach to dining including pizzas and pastas.
GO: Follow @jonandvinnys.ksa on Instagram for more information.
Thursday 30 January
Check into Shebara Resort in the Red Sea
Located in the Red Sea’s Al Wajh Lagoon, Shebara Resort is now welcoming guests. This beachfront property features beautiful pod-shaped and dazzling dining options. The restaurants include Ariamare, Iki, Roe, Lunara, Saria and Solera.
GO: Visit https://shebara.sa for more information.
Friday 31 January
Go Skiing in Riyadh
Riyadh Season has been creating extraordinary experiences in the heart of the capital. Now, it is snowing in Saudi Arabia, thanks to Courchevel in Riyadh. Located in Boulevard World, the attraction aims to replicate the snowy sights. Look out for the (fake) snow falling from the ceiling, backdrops of painted mountains and models of ski lifts. The festive touches include trees, snowmen and more. The venue includes plenty of picture-worthy moments – a fire in an igloo, anyone? Guests can dress up in ski outfits and will be kitted out with all of the gear. Plus, there are statues of winter animals, from polar bears to reindeer.
GO: Visit https://webook.com for more information.
