What to do in Saudi Arabia - Latest News

Riyadh International Book Fair 2025 is officially coming back on October 2-11, hosted at King Saud University. This annual event draws huge interest from across the country and abroad — and for good reason. In 2024, over a million visitors came through the doors, and this year’s edition promises a wide selection of books, authors, and cultural experiences once again. Visitors can expect a massive collection of books from publishers around the world. Whether you're into fiction or nonfiction, academic titles or art books, there’s something for every interest and reading level. Genres range from contemporary novels and memoirs to...

Saudi Arabia is back in the race for the tallest building in the world. Construction on the long-awaited Jeddah Tower (Burj Jeddah) has officially resumed, and once complete, it’s set to rise to at least 1,000 metres — well beyond the height of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, which currently holds the record at 828 metres. Officially known as the Jeddah Economic Company Tower, the structure has been in the works for over a decade. After years of delays, the project is once again moving forward. The city can already boast 172-meter flagpole — the tallest in the world, — and with Burj...

UK-based barefoot footwear brand Vivobarefoot has officially launched its regional e-commerce platform, vivobarefoot.me, making its products directly available across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. Operated by Andy Enterprises LLC, the brand’s authorised distributor in the region, the launch offers a tailored shopping experience for customers in the Gulf. Known for promoting natural foot movement and functional design, Vivobarefoot shoes are a minimal alternative to traditional footwear. The signature features — wide toe boxes, thin soles, and zero-drop construction — are designed to improve posture, strengthen feet, and allow the body to move as naturally as possible....

If you’re planning to stream Squid Game 3, you can now match your snack game to the series. Maestro Pizza has launched a special menu in partnership with Netflix, offering themed items based on the hit show — and it’s available for a limited time in Riyadh. The highlight is 456 Pizza, inspired by the show’s lead character and visual motifs. Topped with chicken, green peppers, and finished with a ranch swirl, the pizza channels the colours and mood of Squid Game. It comes in medium or large sizes, with a choice of dough, plus the option to customise further...

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new work visa classification system for foreign workers, changing how job roles are evaluated and assigned across the country. Starting August 3, 2025, all new work visa applicants will be placed into one of three skill levels — high-skilled, skilled, or basic. Until now, work permits were mostly issued based on job titles, without clear links to a person’s actual qualifications or experience. The new system has already taken effect for current foreign workers as of July 5, 2025. Skill Level Categories for Foreign Workers in Saudi Arabia High-skilled Includes roles like engineers, doctors, and...

CINEHOUSE, located at One Square on King Abdulaziz Road, offers a new kind of night out in Riyadh. Since opening in 2020, it has become the city’s first arthouse cinema with a restaurant, offering a curated selection of films alongside a full dining experience. Inside, you’ll find three small screening rooms, each with a more personal, relaxed atmosphere than the usual multiplex setup. The cinema’s weekly lineup mixes arthouse favourites, cult films, and new commercial releases — all selected to appeal to a range of filmgoers.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by CINEHOUSE بيت...

Saudi Arabia will host the first Riyadh Comedy Festival this autumn as part of its growing calendar of entertainment events. Running from September 26 to October 9, 2025, the festival will take place in Boulevard City and is set to feature over 50 comedians from around the world. The event was officially announced by Turki Al Al Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), through his X (formerly Twitter) account. It will be part of Riyadh Season 2025, the Kingdom’s cultural and entertainment initiative that supports Vision 2030 goals for tourism and economic diversification. First Headliners of Riyadh Comedy...

Saudi Arabia has rolled out a set of regulations that redefine what fine dining means across the Kingdom. The move aims to improve guest experiences, raise industry standards, and make the country’s high-end dining scene more appealing to both local and international visitors. The new rules were issued by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing. In total, twelve requirements have been introduced, focusing on service quality, operations, and brand positioning. Key Details on the New Regulations for Fine Dining Restaurants in Saudi Arabia Service expectations at fine dining restaurants are now much more structured. Every guest must be...

Apple fans in Saudi Arabia now have direct access to the brand’s full product lineup through a newly launched official online store and app. The rollout means you can now browse, shop, and receive Apple products at home — without the need to go through third-party resellers. The store includes Arabic language support, offering a smoother shopping and customer service experience for users in the region. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your device or explore something new, the platform now feels more local. Shoppers can expect a more personalised experience, from model comparisons and recommendations to the ability to customise...

Qiddiya City is taking another big step toward becoming a global hub for sports and entertainment. In a newly announced global partnership with the Faldo Series, the city has revealed plans for an 18-hole championship golf course, designed by six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo. The course is expected to open in 2026 and is part of Qiddiya’s strategy to support sporting development in Saudi Arabia, particularly among youth. The partnership with the Faldo Series — a well-known international platform for young golf talent — reflects the Kingdom’s continued investment in grassroots sports under Vision 2030. The upcoming course won’t...