Everything You Need To Know About Riyadh Season 2022

Riyadh Season 2022 is returning for its third year this October, and we have been eagerly awaiting more information on the much-anticipated details of Riyadh Season 2022.

On Wednesday 7th September, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Al-Sheikh, announced on Twitter a teaser for what was in store for Riyadh Season 2022, as well as announcing the new slogan and theme for the season ‘Beyond Imagination‘.

This season we can expect to see even more from Riyadh Season, with brand new zones as well as ‘new events and regions’. This season has been named ‘Beyond Imagination’ to reflect the increase in activities, events and celebrations compared to what we saw at the last Riyadh Season which had the theme and slogan ‘Imagine More’.

With last year’s Riyadh Season, ‘Imagine More’, taking place from October 2021 to March 2022, it is expected that this year’s Riyadh Season will also run for the same total of 5 months.

The purpose of Riyadh Season is to bring awareness to, and celebrate Riyadh city, including its culture, its architecture and its position in being a must-visit destination when visiting Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Seasons first started in 2019 as part of an initiative launched by the Saudi Commission of Tourism and Heritage (SCTH). These festivals, or seasons as we’ve come to know them, have been created with the intention of celebrating Saudi Arabia’s different regions and what they have to offer.

With a body of different authorities involved including the Ministry of Culture, General Entertainment Authority, General Sports Authority and the Saudi Exhibition and Convention Bureau, all kinds of events, festivals, exhibitions and concerts are planned to put Saudi Arabia on the map as being a bucket list destination, feeding nicely into the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.

---

When Does Riyadh Season 2022 Start

‘Beyond Imagination‘ the concept for Riyadh Season was announced on the 7th of September with celebrations starting from the 1st of October 2022.

---

What Events Have Happened So Far

Even before all of the details of Riyadh Season were announced on the 12th October, there have been a couple of very notable events and celebrations taking place in Riyadh.

SneakMe

The first of which was SneakMe- an event that was brand new this year to the Kingdom. Bringing sneaker lovers from all over the globe together to shop some of the very best and rarest sneakers available on the market.

SneakMe trainer festival specialises in sports shoes, streetwear, rare vintage sneakers, skateboards, and bespoke handpainted sneakers and so much more.

But it wasn’t just all about the shopping, the event also had a music area on the 4th day of the festival with a bill of DJs, rappers, performers and more. Not to forget workshops, museums, various brands, interactive activities and more.

Starting on October 1st and running to the 4th October 2022, this was the biggest gathering of trainer lovers the Middle East has ever seen.

Outlet Riyadh

SneakMe wasn’t the only major shopping event taking place in Riyadh in October. Outlet Riyadh was also created for guests to have the ultimate shopping experience from brands all across the globe.

Styled to imitate the famous blue and white architecture of the Greek Islands. Outlet Riyadh allows shoppers to shop the biggest name brands from around the world with a whopping 1,500 brands available. Furthermore, it even broke the Guinness world record set for the largest pop-up shopping outlet.

Outlet Riyadh was a huge success for Riyadh Season organisers and has drawn in thousands each day. Some of its success might be to do with the fact that the YouTube video released to promote Riyadh Outlet got a staggering 15 million views on Twitter in the first 24 hours for their advertisement for Riyadh outlet being out!

Riyadh Outlet ran from the 1st-14th of October and due to its immediate success we suspect this will be an event that will be returning for many future Riyadh Seasons!

---

What Events Will Be Happening for Riyadh Season Beyond Imagination

Beyond Imagination aims to be bigger and better then previous Riyadh Seasons, offering brand new events, bigger shows and more variety.

Therefore, there are a wide variety of different events going on over the next 5 months to celebrate Riyadh season. Below we have listed just a few of the events that will be taking place:

• The Groves
• Winter Wonderland
• Sky Riyadh
• Suwaidi Park
• Via Riyadh
• Riyadh Front
• AlMurabba
• Riyadh Zoo
• Qariat Zaman
• Riyadh Imagination Park
• Souk Al-Zal

Celebrated across 15 regions with events that span just a couple of days to multiple month-long events, there will be so much for people to see and do in Riyadh.

---

Riyadh Season Conference 2022

On the 12th of October, the General Entertainment Authority hosted Riyadh Conference 2022. At this conference, lots of exciting details were unveiled as to what people could expect from Riyadh Season 3.

Introduced as the season that is beyond imagination, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) chairman Turki al-Shikh explains how Riyadh Season 2022/23 will be bigger and better than anything the Kingdom has seen before.

On October 21st Riyadh Season kicks off with 3 days of performances from internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil. Then over the next 5 months regions will start opening across Riyadh “the zones begin to open one after one and we will announce the opening of each,” al-Shikh explains in the video, covering a total of 15 different regions- the most Riyadh Season has covered yet.

With 65 days worth of fireworks displays, amazing military, sea and air displays, traditional and international musicians and shows from the most prominent stars of art in various regions of the Kingdom including Ahlam, Rabeh Saqr’s, Abadi Al-Johar, Majed Al Mohandes, Mohammed Abdo.

Below we have highlighted some of our favourite events taking place for this year’s Riyadh Season:

Boulevard World

One of the biggest regions for Riyadh Season will be Boulevard Riyadh City. This year Boulevard Riyadh City has seen a 30% increase in size since the last Riyadh Season, allowing guests to experience unique multicultural shopping, dining and entertainment experiences from across the globe.

“Imagine that you’re visiting the US, France, Britain, Greece, India, China, Spain, Japan, Morocco, Mexico, and Italy all at the same time. Their markets, cuisines, and arts will all be here,” al-Shikh says.

Each zone will be themed to reflect what that location is known best for and there will be plenty of photo opportunities and ways in which guests can feel like they have travelled to different countries while never leaving Riyadh Boulevard.

Boulevard World will also include mega dining destinations, a superhero world, submarines and combat fields. Not to mention the largest artificial lake in the world and the first-ever cable cars in Riyadh which will transfer guests from Boulevard World to Boulevard Riyadh City with a capacity of three thousand visitors per hour.

Sky Riyadh

Another brand new zone guests will get to experience for Riyadh Season 2022 is Sky Riyadh.

This event will allow guests to view sections of Riyadh from a birdseye view, featuring multiple different skyscrapers including the one al-Shikh mentioned. There will also be luxury restaurants, cinemas and international brands. Creating an amazing leisure experience for all the family.

Sporting Events For Riyadh Season 3

With the World Cup kicking off in Qatar next month, al-Shikh announced the many football-related events that will take place over Riyadh Season.

‘There is also a zone dedicated to the World Cup at Mrsool Park Stadium for World Cup Fans’.

Accommodating 20,00 fans for each game, these fan zone areas will allow guests to watch the games live on giant screens across Mrsool Park.

Furthermore, football fans will also be able to visit an exhibition dedicated to the late football legend Diego Madona as well as an exhibition on the Newcastle club.

But it’s not all about football fans. WWE Crown Jewel will be coming to Riyadh Season in November. Roman Reigns will be taking on Logan Paul for the title of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship on the 5th of November, drawing in crowds from across the globe as well as lots of Saudi locals.

---

What Else Can We Expect From Riyadh Season

There were so many details released in this latest update from Turki Al-Sheikh, as he mentioned lots of key details will be released for individual events as the events take place. However, some of the things we are most excited to see over the coming few months include:

Riyadh Zoo

Established in 1987, in partnership with Riyadh Season Beyond Imagination, Riyadh Zoo has had lots of work put into it and will be re-launched this Riyadh Season. With over 190 species taking and a whopping 1,300 animals taking up residence in the 6 different protected areas at the zoo there is plenty for guests to see.

Suwaidi Park

Throughout the season, Suwaidi Park will be hosting lots of amazing outdoor experiences for guests to enjoy. Featuring weekly shows, interactive games and of course a huge selection of delicious food Suwaidi Park is guaranteed to draw crowds in.

The Groves

In its second season, the Groves is located in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh, distinguished by its combination of luxury lifestyle and celebration of nature. The Groves allows guests to shop international brands as well as a wide range of local and international food whilst being immersed in beautiful nature.

Additionally, new for 2022, The Groves will host a specialist fan zone area for the Qatar World Cup. Allowing guests to relax and watch the matches live as they unfold on the big screen.

Riyadh Front

Riyadh front is known for both business and shopping. Throughout Riyadh Season 2022, it will offer guests all kinds of different entertainment options to get involved in. From challenges and games to walk-about performers, Riyadh Front will also be celebrating all things anime as well as hosting some amazing exhibitions such as the Saudi Anime Show, Riyadh Motor Show and Jewellery Exhibition.

Via Riyadh

This area of Riyadh has been specifically designed in the ‘Salmani’ style and is home to one of the most famous 5-star hotels, “The St. Regis Riyadh”. Via Riyadh also boasts 7 luxury cinema halls, boutiques, restaurants and beautiful architecture.

AlMurabba

AlMurabba is best known for its luxury and high-end dining spots that will be housing multiple international restaurants landing from around the world.

Qariat Zaman

Combining traditional Saudi Arabian heritage with modern-day lifestyle. Guests can watch that celebrate traditional Saudi culture such as folk music as well as more modern shows celebrating the very best the Kingdom has to offer.

Like many of the other events taking place over Riyadh Season 2022 you will be able to also sample a wide selection of delicious food.

Riyadh Imagination Park

Riyadh Imagination Park will be a lively and exciting destination for all gaming and entertainment fans.

With all kinds of different gaming experiences including several game experiences inspired by some of TV’s biggest programmes over the last couple of years that guests can take part in. Not to mention, well as lots of adrenalin-filled activities, live shows and car shows showing the latest and rarest in the car industry.

Winter Wonderland

Inspired by the infamous Winter Wonderland in London, this Riyadh Season event is definitely a fan favourite and arguably the most popular event in all of Riyadh Season.

Inspired by Riyadh Season’s slogan this year ‘Beyond Imagination’, Winter Wonderland combines the very best the events and entertainment industry has to offer all contained in one wintery fun-filled and family-friendly setting.

Souk Al-Zal

Known to be the region’s oldest market and a treasure trove of traditional Eastern artefacts, this year Souk will be taking part in the Seasons festivities! Dating back to its inception in 1901, Souk Al-Zal is full of tradition and heritage, therefore this part of Riyadh Season 2022 will centre around traditional music, shows, folk dancing and more.

---

We will keep this blog updated with all the latest news and updates from Riyadh Season 2022 so check back in for regular updates!