31 amazing things to do in Saudi Arabia in October
The marvellous month includes cinema, comedy and cafés.
October means one thing in Saudi Arabia. The month marks the start of the blockbuster festival, Riyadh Season, which takes over the capital with concerts, cafés and culture. Look out for exciting openings, from The St. Regis Riyadh to Mr Chow, and an endless stream of events. Here are the best things to do in Saudi Arabia in October.
Sunday 1 October
Check into the new The St. Regis Riyadh
Riyadh is welcoming world-class hotels, and the latest to join the list is The St. Regis Riyadh. Opening on 1 October, it is home to 83 rooms and suites that range from the Deluxe Double Room to The Royal Suite. The rooms boast city views, and there’s the hotel’s signature service: The St. Regis Butler. The décor is inspired by the Kingdom, as the building has been cast from Tuwaiq mountain stone and includes Salmani architecture.
GO: Visit www.marriott.com for more information.
Monday 2 October
Try the new business lunch at LPM Riyadh
Start the week off in style. The FACT favourite LPM Restaurant & Café Riyadh has launched a new business lunch menu. Located in Al Faisaliah, the restaurant is famous for its French Mediterranean dishes. The options include Escargots de Bourgogne, seasonal fish and meat, including Grilled Beef Sirloin, Grilled Red Mullet and the signature Pasta Arrabbiata. The lunch is available weekdays from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
GO: Visit https://lpmrestaurants.com for more information.
Tuesday 3 October
Visit Archi’s new bubble wrap café
Give hump day a lift at the new café, Archi. Visitors will spot the Insta-friendly site, which is literally covered in bubble wrap. Go through arches wrapped in white sheets and orange tape, and marvel at how everything – we’re talking cakes, chairs and tables – are covered in bubble wrap. Plus, the staff are on hand with bubble machines, naturally.
GO: Follow @archi.saudi on Instagram for more information.
Wednesday 4 October
Dine out at the new Italian restaurant Portico
The new Italian restaurant Portico has opened in Al Wurud, it is a smart spot with dark greens and soft whites across the banquettes, tables and walls. The menu includes pastas and pizzas. The pastas include, Pesto Pasta, Truffle Tigatoni and Spaghetti Bolognese. The pizzas include Buffalo Margherita, Diavola Pizza and a Caesar Pizza with grilled chicken and corn.
GO: Follow @porticoresto on Instagram for more information.
Thursday 5 October
Visit 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 opens in Riyadh on 5 October. 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.
Friday 6 October
Check out K-pop stars at KCON Riyadh 2023
K-pop fans, KCON Riyadh 2023 is back. Running from 6 to 7 October, it takes place at Mohammed Abdo Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City. The event brings together 14 South Korean performers: Dreamcatcher, EL7Z UP, Everglow, EVNNE, Highlight, Hyolyn, KARD, OH MY GIRL, Riize, Super Junior-D&E, Tempest, The New Six (TNX), and 8TURN.
GO: Follow @kconofficial on Instagram for more information.
Saturday 7 October
Check out Freaks of Nature in Riyadh
Put your hands in the air. The electronic music festival, Freaks of Nature, is back in Riyadh. Bringing together international and local DJs, it promises to be a fun night out. Taking place in Al Dahami Equestrian Centre, it runs from 5 to 7 October. Tickets are available via Platinumlist.
GO: Visit https://riyadh.platinumlist.net for more information.
Sunday 8 October
Treat yourself to fine dining Lebanese food at Taleel
Taleel has opened in Al Quds District, Riyadh, and is worth checking out. The concept prides itself on serving traditional Lebanese dishes, which cover salads, hot and cold appetisers, tajine and rice, mains and desserts. The dishes include an Armenian Tabbouleh, Kibbeh Labanieh and Tabbouleh Salad.
GO: Follow @taleel_sa on Instagram for more information.
Monday 9 October
Find your zen at The Yoga House in Riyadh
The Yoga House in Riyadh may be your happy place. The new centre is located in Alyasmin, and showcases movement, sound and wellness treatments. Take your pick from classes for different abilities, and join seminars and workshops with guest speakers.
GO: Visit www.theyogahousesa.com for more information.
Tuesday 10 October
Feel slick at the new salon, Hair Story
The new hair salon, Hair Story, tells a stylish story. Located in Turki Al Awal in Riyadh, it is packed with personality. The treatments include blow dries and haircuts, and the blow-dry looks have on-trend names: Boujee’s beach hair, and Emily in Paris’s face-framing look, and Kim Not A Karen’s loose waves.
GO: Follow @hairstory.sa for more information.
Wednesday 11 October
Visit the new Japanese BBQ restaurant Kintan
Meat eaters, we’ve got you. The newly opened Kintan is bringing the heat to Riyadh’s dining scene, as it prides itself on being the first yakiniku concept in the capital. So, diners can cook their steak to suit their needs. Located in Al Wadi, this is the brand’s first branch in the Middle East.
GO: Visit https://linktr.ee/kintansaudi for more information.
Thursday 12 October
Catch the new science fiction film 57 Seconds
The science fiction film follows the journalist Franklin Fausti, as he lands an interview with the entrepreneur Anton Burrell. Starring Josh Hutcherson and Morgan Freeman, the film explores the concept of travelling 57 seconds back in time. Franklin is driven by revenge and uses the technology to his advantage.
GO: Visit https://ksa.voxcinemas.com for more information.
Friday 13 October
Unwind at the new Otono Spa
If you want to have some me-time, then we’ve got some good news. The new Otono Spa has opened in An Narjis, and it’s a sophisticated spot. Nail services cover manicures and pedicures, and range from colour to nail art. The décor includes earthy, neutral tones, from cream floors to dark wooden tables.
GO: Follow @otono.spa on Instagram for more information.
Saturday 14 October
Watch world-famous musical The Phantom of the Opera
Chandeliers don’t get more famous than The Phantom of the Opera. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical is making its debut in Saudi Arabia, and will be showing at The Arena in Riyadh. Based on Gaston Leroux’s classic novel of the same name, the show brings music, passion and mystery to the stage. Set in 1930s Paris, it follows the Phantom who lurks in the shadows of the Paris Opera House and falls for the soprano Christine. Tickets are available now via Platinumlist.
GO: Visit https://riyadh.platinumlist.net for more information.
Sunday 15 October
Visit the new Italian restaurant Molto
The Italian restaurant Molto has opened in As Sahafah, and brings the flavours of Naples to Riyadh. If you want to grab a slice or three of pizza, sit by the emerald counter and watch the chefs in the open kitchen. The pizzas include the Meat with Burrata, Sea Fruit, Truffle Pizza and Margherita Pizza.
GO: Follow @moltoksa on Instagram for more information.
Monday 16 October
Shop the day away at the new boutique in Jeddah
Hay Jameel is famous for its amazing art exhibitions, which celebrate art in the Middle East and beyond. Now, it is mixing things up with a new art shop in Jeddah. If you’re after art-inspired items including books, stylish stationery, paintings and more, then check this out.
GO: Follow @hayyjameel on Instagram for more information.
Tuesday 17 October
Sign up for the Kingdom Quality of Life Program
If you’ve been looking to learn a new hobby or skill, hit up the new Kingdom Quality of Life Program. The activities hope to transform lives by creating clubs and bringing communities together through hobbies. After you answer a questionnaire, it will present you with events, from art classes to comedy nights. Happy learning.
GO: Visit https://hawi.gov.sa for more information.
Wednesday 18 October
Sing your heart out at Syrup Lounge
Syrup Lounge is famous for its entertainment offering in Riyadh, from live music nights to dance classes. If you love to sing, make sure you check out the karaoke night. The event attracts local soloists and groups performing in Arabic and English. The event runs from 9pm to midnight, and tickets start from SAR 50.
GO: Visit https://syrup.sa for more information.
Thursday 19 October
Book a break at the Wellness Festival in AlUla
AlUla is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sights and cool concerts. Now, visitors can get their zen on at AlUla Wellness Festival 2023. The event brings together activities, which are focused on the body, mind and soul. Experts from around the world will be on hand to create the holistic experience, which runs until 4 November.
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.
Friday 20 October
Catch A-listers in the new film Killers of the Flower Moon
When a film’s cast includes Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio, you know you are in for an A-list treat. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the story shares how Osage Nation became wealthy overnight. Based on a true story and David Grann’s best-selling book, it highlights how the wealth of Native Americans attracted attention from white interlopers.
GO: Visit https://ksa.voxcinemas.com for more information.
Saturday 21 October
Have a laugh at Riyadh Laughs
Here’s an event that will put a smile on your face. Riyadh Laughs is a weekly event, and the comedians perform in Arabic and English. Running until 11 November, the shows take place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and it takes place at Boulevard Riyadh City’s Muvi Cinema.
GO: Visit www.muvicinemas.com for more information.
Sunday 22 October
Enjoy a stylish time at Riyadh Fashion Week
Riyadh Fashion Week is strutting into town. Hosted by the Saudi Fashion Commission, the three-day event runs from 20 to 23 October. The line-up includes 30 designers across 16 shows, and showcases the Kingdom’s fashion scene. If you can’t make it, the shows will be live-streamed.
GO: Visit www.riyadhfashionweek.com for more information.
Monday 23 October
Have a sweet treat at the newly opened Café Lilou
Café Lilou is bringing some class to the city. The French café and restaurant started in Bahrain and opened in Saudi Arabia. Located in Hittin, it draws its inspiration from a Parisian brasserie in the 19th century. The menu includes starters, salads, sandwiches, burgers and risotto. Dishes range from L’Ame de Montmartre oven-baked salmon to La Rotunde grilled tenderloin steak.
GO: Follow @cafelilouksa on Instagram for more information.
Tuesday 24 October
Sip the day away with afternoon tea at L’ami Dave
There are many reasons to visit Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel.. L’ami Dave has given us one more, as it has launched an afternoon tea. The French fine dining restaurant is an ode to Paris, and brings 19th century chic to the capital. Savoury dishes include Smoked Salmon sandwiches and Veal Meatballs, and sweet dishes include Lemon Curd Tartlets and Raspberry Choux. The three options include the Rive Gauche Tea Set from SAR 120 per person, L’Opera Tea Set from SAR 200 per person and Versailles Tea Set from SAR 320. If you want to give your experience an upgrade, Ossetra Caviar can be added.
GO: Visit www.radissonhotels.com for more information.
Wednesday 25 October
Take some time out at the new MNAYA Spa
The newly opened MNAYA SPA is perfect for pampering. Located in Ar Rabwah, the spa and salon offers hair as well as nail treatments. The treatments range from manicures to pedicures. The premium products span Jo Malone creams and candles, and nail varnish from Essie to Orly in a range of shades.
GO: Follow @mnaya.spa on Instagram for more information.
Thursday 26 October
Get into the American BBQ Night at The Grill
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre has launched a new American BBQ Night. Senior Executive Chef Lucas Glanville has drawn inspiration from barbecue traditions in the United States. The dishes include Cajun Spice Barbecue, Crispy Blue Swimmer Crab Cakes, Slow US Beef Brisket and Spiced Grilled Corn Ribs. The evening runs a la carte on Thursday nights from 6pm to midnight.
GO: Visit https://www.fourseasons.com for more information.
Friday 27 October
Catch the family-friendly film Trolls 3: Band Together
If you’re after some family-friendly entertainment, check out the latest Trolls movie. Starring Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake, Poppy and Branch are finally a couple. The story explores Branch’s secret past, and how he was once part of a boyband. In true Trolls-style, expect emotional moments and catchy songs.
GO: Visit https://ksa.voxcinemas.com for more information.
Saturday 28 October
Celebrate the start of Riyadh Season
Riyadh Season is back. This year’s Big Time theme reflects its ambition to bring the best arts, culture and entertainment to the capital. The opening show is expected to be a showstopper with A list entertainers, fireworks and parades. Previous performers have included British singer Anne-Marie and American rapper Pitbull. Plus, the boxing match between Francis Nganno and Tyson Fury takes place on the same night.
GO: Visit https://riyadhseason.sa for more information.
Sunday 29 October
Let’s go outside
Head to The Terrace Restaurant at Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center, and savour authentic dishes from around the world while watching your favourite sporting matches. Dine on gourmet grills, wood-fired pizza and Mediterranean-style tapas while watching all the sporting action on the restaurant’s 200-inch television screen. It’s the perfect spot for sports fans wanting to enjoy a night out.
GO: Call +966 11 215 4444 for reservations and more information.
Monday 30 October
Dig into the new business lunch at Signor Sassi
Add some sass to your week – well Signor Sassi in Riyadh. The Italian restaurant has launched a Business Lunch menu, which includes starters, a main and a dessert for SAR 280. The brand can be found around the world and has welcomed royalty and celebrities. The Riyadh venue got the FACT Editor-in-Chief’s seal of approval, so check it out.
GO: Follow @signorsassiriyadh on Instagram for more information.
Tuesday 31 October
Check out Urth Caffé’s new branches
Have a leisurely breakfast at Urrth Café. The menu includes Breakfast Burrito, Classic Belgian Waffle and Stuffed French Toast, and there is an all-day brunch. Now that the branch has opened in Mall of Arabia in Jeddah and Riyadh Park, you can enjoy healthy dishes across the Kingdom.
GO: Visit www.urthcaffe.sa for more information.
