What to do in Riyadh - Latest News

Several countries are stepping up to protect young players from harmful content in online games, taking measures to make digital spaces safer and more responsible. In line with this trend, Roblox has blocked over 300,000 games in Saudi Arabia after reaching an agreement with the Kingdom’s General Authority for Media Regulation. The move targets games that could encourage inappropriate behaviour and aims to safeguard children while keeping the platform aligned with local culture. Roblox has temporarily paused the “Social Gathering Games” category in Saudi Arabia and turned off text and voice chat while it develops new moderation tools in Arabic....

Riyadh’s metro system will now start operations at 5:30 AM daily, the city’s public transport authority announced on Friday, September 5. The earlier schedule aims to better accommodate students, employees, and other commuters who travel in the early hours. The change comes after a noticeable rise in passenger demand and aligns with the capital’s broader efforts to reduce reliance on private vehicles, ease traffic congestion, and make daily travel across Riyadh more convenient. Passenger numbers have been climbing steadily, and the authorities see this schedule change as a step toward encouraging residents to rely less on private cars and navigate...

Riyadh is rapidly becoming a hotspot for coworking spaces, but not all of them have the spark to inspire creativity. That’s where Sudds comes in. Set to open soon in Via Riyadh, this new space is designed to be more than just a place to work — it's a blend of a social hub, dining destination, and coworking space. The goal is to create a space that feels welcoming and stimulates fresh ideas. Unlike typical office spaces, Sudds draws inspiration from a boutique hotel. Think tiled marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and black marble desks. The plush leather chairs and open...

Riyadh is preparing to once again shine brightly with the return of Noor Riyadh. From November 20 to December 6, the city will come alive with vibrant neon hues as part of this annual city-wide festival that celebrates the art of light. The theme of this year’s festival is “In The Blink of An Eye,” inspired by Riyadh’s rapid transformation. The city has grown in remarkable ways, with new skyscrapers, a modern metro system, and evolving urban landscapes. Noor Riyadh will feature stunning light installations by both international and local artists. View this post on Instagram A post shared by...

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s brand-new airline, is set to launch before the end of 2025, turning the capital into a major global hub while offering modern comfort with a touch of Saudi culture. The airline is based at King Khalid International Airport and backed by the Public Investment Fund. The airline will connect over 100 destinations worldwide, with the first flight to London Heathrow expected in late October. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Riyadh Air | طيران الرياض (@riyadhair) The airline’s fleet will feature more than 200 planes ready to fly across Africa, Asia, and Europe....

If you're looking for a new place to try in the Saudi capital, you'll want to check out WADI Riyadh, the latest addition to Laysen Valley. This new restaurant specializes in Saudi fusion cuisine, offering a modern twist on traditional flavors. Wadi, which takes its name from the Arabic word for "river", combines high-quality ingredients with a luxurious dining experience to create something truly special. Located in a bustling area near Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter — this place offers not only great food but a full range of dining, retail, and office spaces, making it a prime spot to visit. View...

Saudi Arabia has introduced HUMAIN Chat, a groundbreaking Arabic-first conversational AI platform. Developed by HUMAIN, a company fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), it is the most advanced language model ever created in the Arab world. HUMAIN Chat can operate in both Arabic and English, allowing users to switch between the two languages during a conversation. It also understands a wide range of Arabic dialects, making it highly versatile and accessible to millions across the region. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HUMAIN (@thehumainai) Currently, HUMAIN Chat is available across web, iOS, and Android platforms...

Esports fans in Riyadh, there’s something exciting on the horizon! After the success of the Esports World Cup this year, the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is set to take center stage in Riyadh in November 2026. Unlike other similar events that feature club teams, ENC focuses on the competition between national teams. Popular game publishers like Electronic Arts, Tencent, Krafton, and Ubisoft will be involved, bringing well-known titles such as EA Sports FC, Apex Legends, PUBG, and Rainbow Six into the spotlight. This new competition will feature teams from nearly 100 countries, competing in more than 15 games. Here’s what...

Next week, Riyadh will host one of the world’s most iconic operas. Carmen will make its debut in the city on September 4-6, 2025. This classic piece by French composer Georges Bizet will be staged at King Fahad Cultural Centre, marking an exciting addition to the city’s vibrant cultural scene. First performed in 1875, the opera tells the story of a passionate and intense love triangle. The plot follows Carmen, a free-spirited factory worker, and Don José, a soldier whose life she disrupts with her charm. As their relationship spirals into jealousy and betrayal, the drama builds to a powerful...

Saudi Arabia is set to introduce a new voluntary pension and savings programme that will extend to both Saudi nationals and foreign workers. This initiative, called Public Pension and Savings Programme, aims to encourage local savings and reduce the outflow of remittances. As of the first quarter of 2025, 77% of the country’s social insurance system subscribers were expatriates. Last year, foreign workers in Saudi Arabia sent home SAR 144.2 billion in remittances, which is 14% more than in 2023. Over the last decade, total remittances have reached SAR 1.43 trillion. The new programme is designed to allow foreign workers...