See & Do

The best things to do this May in Saudi Arabia

Cool down at the newly opened Aquarabia in Qiddiya City, or enjoy a night of live music in Riyadh, or head to Jeddah to catch the first ever soapbox derby race in Saudi, May is jam-packed full of fun things to do

BY /
30 April 26
The best things to do this May in Saudi Arabia
Looking for the best things to in Saudi Arabia this May? We've got you covered with this list!

Visit Aquarabia 

The wait for Aquarabia is finally over, the region's biggest and newest water park has officially opened to the public. Welcoming its first guests on Thursday, April 23, Aquarabia now invites everyone to experience a wide variety of family-friendly water attractions, high-octane rides, world-record-breaking experiences, and a diverse range of immersive activities. 

How much are tickets? What do I wear? We've answered all your questions right here.
Looking to hit all the rides, slides and thrill activities? This list here is your ultimate list to Aquarabia's experiences.

Aquarabia is opening to the public on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Tickets for Aquarabia start from SAR 325 per person.
Buy your tickets here
@qiddiyacity @aquarabiaqc

Try this new viral ice-cream shop

Straight from Al Khobar to Riyadh, Dibsy is the newest must-try spot in Riyadh. From quirky creations like hibiscus and passion fruit ice cream or the intriguing lavender ice-cream, to date lattes and the unmissable Dibsy Pudding, this is a spot to add to your list and try with your friends this May. 

Al Mathar Ash Shamali, Riyadh
@dibsy.sa

Until May 2: Catch the last days of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Bienniale 

As the third edition of Saudi Arabia’s flagship contemporary art event, it continues to solidify the Kingdom’s position as a vital hub for international cultural discourse. Curated by Artistic Directors Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed, this edition explores the world as a series of "processions." The theme draws inspiration from a colloquial Arabic phrase reflecting the nomadic cycles of journeys and encampments. It moves away from the idea of fixed destinations, focusing instead on the transformations, migrations, and "states of becoming" that connect the Gulf region with the rest of the world.

Buy your tickets here
@biennale_sa

May 7: Riyadh Chamber Music Series

The Riyadh Chamber Music Series is set to make its highly anticipated debut on May 7, under the expert curation of cellist Maria Magdalena Wiesmaier and violinist Cindy Xue. Designed to foster cultural dialogue within an intimate setting, the series aims to unite diverse artists and musical heritage from around the globe. By placing global traditions in conversation with one another, the initiative offers a fresh perspective on the chamber music format, emphasizing the shared stories found within different melodic languages.

The Warehouse, JAX District, Riyadh
Tickets starting from SAR 200 per person, 
Buy your tickets here
@twh_ksa
@cindyxuekamanja @maria_magdalena_wiesmaier @ahmed_alhilalee

May 8: Carl Cox & Dish Dash live in Riyadh

IN ACT movement returns to the heart of Riyadh, delivering a high-caliber night of immersive production and high-intensity sound. Featuring a lineup of global and local heavyweights — including Carl Cox, Dish Dash, Eyad, Hifi, Majid, and Vinyl Mode — this one-night music extravaganza promises music lovers a deep dive into raw energy and relentless rhythms of house and electro. 

Plot K, Jax District, Riyadh
Tickets starting from SAR 350 per person
Buy your tickets here
@inact_live 
@carlcoxofficial

May 8: Abeer Nehme at Vocally Riyadh

Abeer Nehme at Vocally Riyadh in May via webook

The Vocally Nights series in Riyadh continues with an evening featuring the celebrated Abeer Nehme. Known for her vocal versatility, Nehme will perform a repertoire that includes contemporary favorites such as "Besaraha" and "Bala Ma Nhess," alongside her masterful reinterpretations of Arabic heritage classics like "Lamma Bada Yatathanna" and "Layla Law Baqi Layla."

Red Theatre at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, from 6.30pm 
Tickets from SAR 275 per person
Buy your tickets here

May 8: Ayed at Vocally Riyadh

Ayed at Vocally Riyadh in May via webook 1

On Friday, May 8, the Vocally Nights series continues with a highly anticipated performance by Saudi sensation Ayed. Renowned for his emotive delivery and powerful stage presence, the star is set to perform a selection of his most beloved hits, including "Lammah," "Tala’at Abeeh," and "A’tezer Wa Jeek." The evening promises an electric atmosphere, blending deep sentiment with the vibrant energy that has made Ayed a household name.

Red Theatre at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, from 9.30pm 
Tickets from SAR 395 per person
Buy your tickets here

May 9: KAFD Saturday Market

The King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) has expanded its lifestyle offerings with the launch of its weekly Saturday Market, a weekly event situated in the Alwadi area of District 4. Open every Saturday from 4pm - 10pm, the weekend market serves as a strategic community hub. Here visitors can expect a curated selection of local artisanal vendors, homegrown Saudi brands, and diverse culinary pop-ups.

Every Saturday, from 4pm - 10pm
Area 4 in Alwadi, KAFD
@kafd

May 12: Taif Rose Candle-Making Class (Arabic)

Experience a multi-sensory journey into the heritage of Saudi Arabia with a specialised workshop led by artist and certified trainer Najlaa Rushdi. This Arabic workshop is a once-off event, the experience will begin with the intricate decoration of glass vessels using dried florals, followed by the crafting of layered sand candles infused with the delicate signature fragrance of Taif. This calming process blends traditional craft with modern scent-layering techniques, resulting in a bespoke handcrafted piece that captures the essence of the region. The workshop includes a guided tour of the Biosphere and the Butterfly Dome.

FoodSphere by RiyadhOases,
6871 Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz Road, Riyadh
Tickets starting from SAR 160, buy your tickets here
@najla.rushdi

Until May 14: Pluma Circus by Cirque du Liban

Cirque du Liban presents a beautiful and jaw-dropping Pluma show to the Red Sea city of Jeddah. The Pluma Circus show offers guests a world-class live entertainment experience that combines breathtaking aerial acrobatics, daring stunts, and high-energy choreography under a spectacular grand tent. This immersive production features state-of-the-art lighting and sound to tell an inspiring story of fantasy and reality, making it a perfect outing for families and guests of all ages.

Tickets starting from SAR 115 per person, 
First show from 5 - 6.30 pm, second show from 8.30 - 10pm
Pluma Circus Tent, Opp. Red Sea Mall, Jeddah
Buy your tickets here

May 14: Head on an AROYA Cruise

Launching for the 2026 cruising season from Jeddah on May 14, AROYA Cruises resumes its operations with a sophisticated selection multi-country itineraries. With a wide variety of itineraries to choose from, the Red Sea itineraries and ports of call for this launch phase of the AROYA cruising season are slated to include Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, and Aqaba in Jordan. Learn more about the new cruising season with AROYA, right here.

@aroyacruises
Book your cruise here

May 14 - 16: Soapbox Saudi

Get ready for a landmark weekend at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as Soapbox Saudi brings the art of gravity-racing to the F1 stage. This first-of-its-kind event in Saudi Arabia invites teams to showcase their ingenuity in hand-built racing machines across three days of immersive action. Combining technical skill with a spirit of adventure, the event promises a rotating program of interactive experiences and competitive racing that celebrates local creativity in its most daring form.

Soapbox Saudi 2026 – First Edition in Jeddah, from May 14 - 16, 2026
Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah 23512
Tickets starting from SAR 35 per person
Buy your tickets here
@soapboxsaudi

May 20: Five Iron Golf 

Five Iron Golf

Five Iron Golf has officially opened its first Saudi Arabian location on the ground floor of the PIF Tower in Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The 12,000-square-foot flagship venue features 11 state-of-the-art simulators equipped with TrackMan and Golfzon technology, catering to both serious practitioners and social players. Beyond the greens, the space functions as a premium entertainment hub with a full-service sports bar, a curated food menu, and a vibrant atmosphere enhanced by local art and neon installations.

Simulator experiences start from SAR 150 per person for 30 minutes, SAR 250 for 60 mins and SAR 300 for 90 minutes
Buy your simulator experience here
Or become a member, with membership prices starting from SAR 1300 for 1 month, SAR 7000 for 3 months, and SAR 12000 for 12 months. Family memberships start from SAR 20,000 for 12 months and includes up to 4 family members of all ages. 
Buy your membership here
@fiveirongolf.sa fiveirongolf.sa

May 22 - 24: Saudi eLeague – Elite - Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

The Saudi eLeague 2026 Elite Division is here, pitting the Kingdom’s elite teams against one another in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Expect intense, fast-paced matchups and world-class competition as the season’s most anticipated title takes centre stage.

Boulevard City, Riyadh 
Tickets from SAR 35 per person
Buy your tickets here
@saudieleague
saudieleagues.com

Until May 31: Amazonia AlAmmariah

Amazonia Nursery Farm is an immersive destination offers a series of curated agricultural spaces and interactive installations, providing a seamless and memorable experience in a tranquil setting.

Tickets from SAR 35 for adults, and SAR 20 for children
Buy your tickets here
Amazonia Nursery Farm, AlAmmariah, Riyadh
@amazonia.ksa

Until May 31: The Sunken Treasures Exhibition

Shipwreck scuba diving via unsplash noaa

At the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah's historic Al Balad district, this unique exhibition unveils "sunken treasures" from shipwrecks. Brought to life by the Heritage Commission and the Museums Commission of Saudi Arabia, this distinct exhibit showcases the enduring human journeys and maritime legacies of the Red Sea. Exploring the maritime heritage of the Red Sea region, here, lost vessels have evolved into living archives and coral reefs, transforming historical wreckage into vibrant ecosystems. Moving beyond mere curiosity, the showcase invites visitors to bridge the gap between wonder and environmental responsibility as they navigate a corridor of archaeological remains. By exploring the Saudi coastline, the exhibition reveals the Red Sea not as a silent boundary, but as a dynamic cultural crossroads — a stage for exchange, passage, and the profound intersection of humanity and nature.

Red Sea Museum, Bab Al Bunt Building, Al Balad, Jeddah
Tickets from SAR 10 per person, 
Buy your tickets here

Until June 16: Don't miss Boulevard Flowers

Boulevard World Riyadh 2

Boulevard Flowers is officially open at Hittin, and it is a total floral wonderland with millions of colourful flowers, dreamy installations, and larger-than-life sculptures you won't be able to stop snapping. There’s even a rare and beautiful birds zone in the middle of it all that is 100% worth the extra charge.

Tickets from SAR 28.75, or SAR 69 including the rare bird area
Book your tickets here
@blvdflowers

Discover the new Black Gold Museum

The Black Gold Museum is a collaborative and sophisticated exploration of the transformative relationship between humanity and oil. Located within the KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District), the museum transcends traditional industrial history by utilising contemporary art and immersive technology to narrate the evolution of "black gold." Visitors are guided through a series of multi-sensory galleries that document the journey from geological origins and early extraction to the complex role energy plays in our modern, globalised society. By blending scientific data with creative expression, the museum serves as a premier cultural institution that contextualises Saudi Arabia’s industrial heritage within a future-focused, creative framework.

King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), KAFD, Riyadh
Book your ticket here
@bgm_moc