Yesterday, Wednesday 12 October, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Turki Al Al-Shikh, announced the launch date of Riyadh Season 2022, under the slogan “Beyond Imagination.” The season’s activities will start on October 21 with an international celebration that includes a performance by the international Cirque du Soleil.
Al Al-Shikh said that the new season includes 15 zones, each of which is characterized by a special entertainment character. The most prominent zone is Boulevard World, which presents the cultures and vibes of many countries around the world, including America, France, Greece, India, China, Spain, Japan, Morocco, and Mexico, in addition to the Italian Venice. All these countries will offer their experiences through restaurants, markets and arts.
The Boulevard World zone, which opens for the first time in Riyadh Season 2022, includes the largest artificial lake in the world, where visitors can enjoy riding submarines for the first time in the city of Riyadh. Visitors will also enjoy many special events, such as the Combat Village, Super Hero Village, and the experience of the largest Sphere in the world. Cable cars will move visitors between Boulevard World and the neighboring Boulevard Riyadh City (BLVD RUH City), with a capacity of 3,000 visitors per hour.
The BLVD RUH City zone, which was present in the past seasons, is characterized by many improvements this year, most notably the addition of 12 new restaurants and cafes. There are also 25 Arab and international plays, including 7 Saudi plays, most notably the plays of “The Philosopher” by Yousuf Al-Thunayyan and the “Flaming Arrow” by Majed Abdullah, in addition to some weekly concerts.
According to Al Al-Shikh, the Winter Wonder Land zone returns this season with five new games, as well as various experiences that allow residents and visitors of the capital to explore new and distinctive options. Al Murabba zone hosts 8 international restaurants, while the Riyadh Sky zone provides lounges that embrace the clouds so that visitors can enjoy a specialty of beverages and meals.
The Via Riyadh zone is distinguished by an exceptional selection of restaurants and cafes, a five-star hotel for the first time in the Kingdom, and 7 cinemas with various viewing options. The zone also has Salmani-style architectural designs in harmony with many international and exclusive shops.
Riyadh Season 2022 also includes several exhibitions that meet the desires of all visitors, including families, children and individuals, such as a toy fair, workshops, Ana Arabiah (I am an Arab), perfumes, cars, anime and Black Hat.
The season introduces, for the first time, Riyadh Zoo, which is one of the most prominent international zoos, with more than 1,300 animals of 190 species. It also contains several surprises in the Little Riyadh and The Groves zones in the Diplomatic Quarter, in addition to the Fan Festival zone at Mrsool Park Stadium, which has a capacity of 20,000 spectators per match. It includes a gallery for Maradona and a gallery for the English Newcastle FC.
The Imagination Park zone is a lively entertainment destination. Its activities take place in Al-Rehab District, west of Riyadh. It is also dedicated to gaming experiences that simulate the most famous films, their designs and their live shows.
The season also offers several sporting events such as WWE and Riyadh Season Cup, which brings together the Paris Saint-Germain team with the stars of Al Hilal and Al Nasr. It also presents Cirque du Soleil international shows and 65 days of fireworks activities.
Alalshikh noted that there are several free zones in the season, such as Al-Suwaidi Garden, Qariat Zaman, and Souq Al-Zel, as well as many events that attract all types of visitors.
Riyadh Season 2022 presents an exclusive mixture of suspense and modernity, making the capital Riyadh a major incubator, a preferred destination and a stimulating space that exceeds the local and international imagination with what it offers to residents and visitors. It also contributes to raising the level of the entertainment sector industry and consolidates the Kingdom’s position as one of the most prominent entertainment destinations at regional and global levels.