Comeback concerts, soaring sights, and plenty of restaurants – relive the year’s highlights.
As we say goodbye to one year and hello to another, we reveal FACT’s 2025 Year in Review.
Can you call yourself a Riyadh resident if you didn’t complain about the traffic? Bonus points if you got tickets to the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The Kingdom’s food industry continued to get the recognition it deserved. The MICHELIN inspectors were out in force, awarding Bib Gourmands across AlUla, Jeddah and Riyadh. And it’s fair to say, we made our mark as a culinary capital.
Rage Bait was Oxford University Press’ Word of the Year. Vibe coding entered our slang, Chat GPT became Gen Z’s therapist, and Katy Perry orbited the stars.
Here’s our love letter to the last twelve months, and 25 things we loved in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
Ancient Kingdoms Festival
AlUla is one of the most spectacular sights in Saudi Arabia, combining history with modernity. The area is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Ancient Kingdoms Festival. The event invites visitors to walk through 200,000 years of human history. By day, discoveries unfold among sandstone giants and petroglyphs. After dark, the desert becomes a stage for light, sound, and performance. At the heart of the programme are the people of AlUla, who share inherited knowledge and stories, inviting participants to connect with this remarkable landscape.
Beast Land
This year, a brand new addition has made its way to Riyadh Season 2025, cranking up the excitement with the arrival of Beast Land. Created in collaboration with global influencer MrBeast, the Beast Land attraction draws inspiration from the content creator’s wildly successful YouTube videos. The 200,000-square-meter zone features over 27 rides and experiences, 40 restaurants and stores, as well as interactive games and prizes, with MrBeast himself attending the grand opening.
Comedy in the Kingdom
The Kingdom knows how to put a smile on your face. For the first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival, comedians from around the world came to the capital. Dave Chapelle, Jo Koy, Kevin Hart, Mo Amer, Pete Davidson and Russell Peters brought the laughs to the capital.
Concerts in the Kingdom
Saudi Arabia hit the high notes as it welcomed world-class acts. MDLBeast welcomed the singing sensations Anyma, Benson Boone, Cardi B, Kaytranada, Metro Boomin, Post Malone and Tyla. The Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix concerts featured performances by Jennifer Lopez, Major Lazer, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Usher. Ty Dolla $ign headlined the Esports World Cup, and Central Cee headlined November’s WOW Festival at Riyadh Golf Club.
FACT Dining Awards
There ain’t no party like a FACT Dining Awards party. Taking place in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh and London, it rewards the best restaurants in the region. The GCC events took place in autumn 2025 and welcomed the biggest chefs. NIRI Restaurant & Bar at Mamsha Al Saadiyat received Restaurant of the Year in Abu Dhabi, Manāo at Wasl Vita received Restaurant of the Year in Dubai, Zuma was awarded Restaurant of the Year in Riyadh, and Ikoyi was named Restaurant of the Year in London.
Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
The Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix returned to Jeddah from 18 to 20 April 2025. It was the motorsports’ fifth visit to the world’s fastest and longest street circuit, Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which boasts views of the Red Sea coast and an average speed of up to 252km/h.
GCC Grand Tours: The Unified Gulf Visa
Imagine having the power to visit Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE with a single visa. The GCC countries have now confirmed that the unified Gulf tourist visa, now known as the GCC Grand Tour, will be rolled out from December. The pilot phase of the GCC Grand Tours Visa will first launch in the UAE and Bahrain. If successful, the scheme will then be rolled out across all six GCC countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Hot Hotel openings
Across the Kingdom, we saw exciting hotel openings this year, including Kimpton KAFD Riyadh and Rixos Obhur Jeddah. The Red Sea continued to make waves with the opening of InterContinental Resort Red Sea, SLS The Red Sea, and The Red Sea EDITION set along the white sand shores of Shura Island.
Labubu
From Tamagotchis and Crocs (love them or not), the internet loves a good trend, and 2025’s must-have was Labubu. These spiky-toothed, wide-eyed toys are part of The Monsters series, created by Hong Kong-based illustrator Kasing Lung. Think Chucky from the Child’s Play series meets Snowball from The Secret Life of Pets — everyone wanted one. Produced by PopMart and sold in blind boxes, these collectables became status symbols, seen on the likes of Central Cee, Dua Lipa, Lisa from Blackpink, and Rihanna.
Marvellous Musicals
Award-winning musicals made their way from Broadway and the West End to Riyadh. Hans Zimmer was asked to reimagine Saudi Arabia’s national anthem, actor Anthony Hopkins delivered an unforgettable concert experience at Riyadh Season, and King Fahad Cultural Centre rolled out the red carpet for Wicked The Musical.
Megaprojects
The Kingdom has marvellous megaprojects, and we are expecting more to be announced in 2026. Developments include the Aseer Development Project, which will create tourist attractions atop Abha’s mountains, making Aseer a year-round must-visit destination. King Salman Park will be four times the size of Central Park, stretching an impressive 13.4 square kilometres, while Qiddiya City will be the Disneyland of Saudi Arabia, featuring water parks and theme parks.
Mega Music festivals
Riyadh welcomed back the region’s biggest music festival, MDLBeast Soundstorm. Running from 11 to 13 December, the fifth edition features Black Coffee, Calvin Harris, Don Toliver, Idris Elba, Lil Yachty, Major Lazer, Metro Boomin, Miguel, Pitbull and Swedish House Mafia.
MICHELIN Guide Saudi Arabia
The world-renowned MICHELIN Guide, which currently covers more than 40 destinations worldwide, has officially arrived in Saudi Arabia. Inspectors travelled across the Kingdom to explore its evolving culinary scene and recognise the very best restaurants in the country. Saudi eatery Fi Glbak, breakfast favourite Tameesa, modern Saudi restaurant Mirzam, and homegrown Japanese concept KAYZO have received the Bib Gourmand nod in the capital. Along the Red Sea coast, Jeddah’s Bib Gourmand selection features The Lucky Llama, as did Joontos in AlUla.
Noor Light Festival
The largest light art festival in the world returned for its fifth edition from 20 November to 6 December 2025. This year’s theme, “In the Blink of an Eye,” draws on Riyadh’s swift transformation. It captures a city where a storied heritage sits alongside visionary new infrastructure, including the newly launched metro. Visitors encountered installations at Qasr Al Hokm District, King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, stc Metro Station, KAFD Metro Station, Al Faisaliah Tower, and JAX District. With over 60 artworks on display, most of the outdoor artworks were free to view.
Red Sea Project
Red Sea Global has announced that the first resorts and attractions on Shura Island. The initial phase of the launch included the opening of InterContinental Resort Red Sea, SLS The Red Sea, and The Red Sea EDITION, along with the debut of Shura Links as the Kingdom’s first island golf course. Elsewhere, Desert Rock Resort opened in a spectacular setting situated within the desert cliffs, and Shebara Resort brought its floating pod-like rooms to the Saudi coastline.
Restaurants in Jeddah
Keeping track of all the new restaurant openings in the Kingdom is a full-time job. But if you love finding the latest hotspots for lunch and dinner before anyone else, then this is the place for you. Jeddah opened new restaurants, ranging from casual to classy. The highlights included Black Tap, Lola Brasserie, Meat The Fish, Mimosa and the FACT favourite Jon & Vinny’s.
Restaurants in Riyadh
Riyadh is home to award-winning concepts, including FACT Dining Awards winners and MICHELIN Bib Gourmand winners. Major openings included Benoit, Blu Pizzeriá, Chotto Matte, Hocho, Julien, Juno, Ovun Bistro and tashas. Homegrown hits included Table;To, and Taleed by Michael Mina.
Riyadh Air
Saudi Arabia’s new carrier Riyadh Air arrived with fresh aircraft, polished design and a service blueprint that leans into Saudi culture as much as it does modern comfort. The initial fleet features 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, delivered directly from Boeing. This will be followed by 60 Airbus A321neos and 75 Airbus A350-1000s. That’s over 200 planes already gearing up to take to the skies. Riyadh Air will leverage the Kingdom’s strategic location to connect the capital to more than 100 destinations worldwide, with routes spanning Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Riyadh Metro
London has the Tube, New York has the Subway, and Riyadh has opened its very own Metro. The world’s longest driverless metro system was inaugurated on 1 December 2024 and has changed the connectivity in the capital. It spans six lines (or routes) across 176 kilometres, with 84 stations connecting the city. Standard tickets start at SAR 4 for 2 hours, SAR 20 for a 3-day pass, SAR 40 for a 7-day pass, and SAR 140 for a 30-day pass.
Riyadh Season
Riyadh Season 2025 rolled out its sixth season with several significant additions. The expanded event will feature 11 entertainment zones, as well as diverse international events, including 15 world championships and 34 exhibitions and festivals. Following three years of development, the Flying Over Saudi Arabia attraction allows up to 90 guests at a time to embark on an interactive aerial journey across the Kingdom’s destinations. Elsewhere, BLVD Flowers spans 215,000 square meters and features over 200 million blooms, 200 floral sculptures, and three Boeing 777 aircraft installations, alongside 40 restaurants and cafés.
Saudi National Day
Saudi National Day is one of the Kingdom’s most significant celebrations. Known as Al Yom Al Watany in Arabic, the day falls on 23 September each year. Festivities take place across the country with special events including parades, concerts and fireworks. If there’s one colour that dominates the celebrations, it’s green. Whether it’s on buildings, balloons or baked goods, the country is decked in green in honour of the flag.
Six Flags Qiddiya City
Are you ready for an adventure like no other? Look no further than Six Flags Qiddiya City, the ultimate destination for thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies and families seeking fun and entertainment. This groundbreaking theme park is set to redefine family fun when it opens on 31 December. Expect five world-record-breaking rides and, of course, the world’s longest, tallest and fastest rollercoaster. The attractions include Sirocco Tower, the world’s tallest free-standing shot tower ride; Gyropsin, the world’s tallest pendulum ride; Spitfire, the world’s tallest inverted top hat coaster; and Iron Rattler, the world’s tallest tilt coaster.
Sports Boulevard
Blending elements of recreation, culture and a commitment to healthier living, the first phase of Riyadh Sports Boulevard has now been completed. The project is currently 40 per cent complete, which means over 83km of the venue is now open to visitors. This first phase marked the opening of five destinations along the boulevard, including Wadi Hanifah, the Promenade, and the first phase of Sands Sports Park. Visitors can enjoy pathways for pedestrians, cyclists and much more.
Usher
American superstar Usher brought his Past, Present, Future Tour to Jeddah. The Saudi show, part of the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix concerts, brought together thousands of fans, including FACT Magazine. Following the tour, we caught up with the singer in Paris to discuss fame, fortunes and fragrances.
Winter at Tantora
Set against sandstone cliffs, fragrant oases, and centuries-old mudbrick homes of AlUla, Winter at Tantora reimagines heritage through immersive experiences, intimate performances and interactive storytelling. From guided walks through Old Town to evenings filled with music in AlJadidah Arts District, Winter at Tantora invites visitors to connect with AlUla’s past while celebrating its dynamic creative present. The festival gets its name from the Tantora sundial, a traditional timekeeping device used by locals to mark the start of the winter planting season.
