Saudi Arabia offers a unique and exciting experience for those planning to spend New Year’s Eve there, with options ranging from luxury to hospitality and leisure. The government has taken steps to provide the perfect staycation holiday, allowing you to make your eve memorable like never before, away from the chaos and hustle.
Previously, the country did not observe any New Year celebrations. However, since 2019, famous cities like Riyadh and Jeddah have taken the initiative to make the occasion as memorable as possible. Fireworks and small cultural events have been organized to entertain the crowd, and similar events are expected in the coming years.
The capital city of Riyadh is the latest global city to welcome the New Year with a sky-bound message, fireworks, and a range of other entertainment options that will leave the crowd spellbound.
Planning the New Year
If you’re considering Saudi Arabia as a destination to celebrate New Year’s Eve, you can plan a luxurious holiday and bid farewell to 2023 in a memorable way. Here are some tips to remember to help you plan the perfect holiday and an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration filled with food and fun.
Noor Riyadh, the Biggest Light Festival in Riyadh
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is making efforts to be seen as a friendly country that welcomes tourists worldwide. To achieve this, they have organised various events and shows. The Kingdom aims to attract tourists through its rich culture and the development of heritage sites. Events such as the Riyadh Season and the upcoming Noor Riyadh, a festival of art and light, demonstrate the Kingdom’s desire to welcome visitors worldwide and embrace change.
Noor Riyadh is an open-air gallery illuminated by ambitious large-scale public art installations that will showcase the work of over 100 Saudi and foreign artists. If you are in town to celebrate the new year 2024, visiting the Noor Riyadh exhibition is a must to witness the art and creativity of these talented artists. The exhibition aims to beautify the city and turn it into a “gallery without walls,” fostering the populace’s creative spirit. This year’s Noor Riyadh theme is “We Dream Of New Horizons,” reflecting optimism and hope for the future. The exhibition will occur in JAX 03 (JAX District), Riyadh.
Black Pink in Riyadh
Black Pink, the famous K-pop girl group, is coming to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to perform for the first time as part of their world tour “Born Pink” in the Middle East and Riyadh Season. This is undoubtedly an exciting New Year’s gift for the Blinks in Saudi Arabia. If you’re in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to celebrate the new year, don’t miss your chance to enjoy this concert of the world’s best K-pop girl group at Mrsool Park, Riyadh, at 8:30 PM.
Since its debut in 2016, Black Pink has garnered worldwide attention for its unique blend of pop, hip-hop, and trap music. Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Lisa made history by being the first Korean female performers and music group to have five songs reach one billion YouTube views each. With over 80 million subscribers, the group also boasts the largest following on the platform. Don’t miss this opportunity to see them perform live!
Luxury Stay At Ritz-Carlton Riyadh
Spread across 52 acres, the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh is the perfect place to spend your New Year’s holiday in Saudi Arabia. The hotel's luxurious setting and top-notch facilities provide the ideal ambience to celebrate the occasion. As one of Riyadh's most renowned five-star hotels, it offers a tempting array of amenities. Each room in this serene hotel boasts a palatial setting and exudes luxury with its inspired décor.
How do you celebrate the Saudi Arabian New Year 2024? The hotel has several extravagant restaurants and lounges, serving a delightful experience. You can relish the traditional flavours of this Arabian nation and make the occasion memorable and unique by delving deeper into the refreshing zest of exotic spices.
Family Dinner
Food is considered the best way to celebrate New Year in Saudi Arabia, making OKKU Riyadh the perfect dining spot in the city. This award-winning Japanese restaurant has achieved national milestones with its exotic menu and heartwarming hospitality. Although it’s rare to find cocktails and wines in Saudi Arabia, OKKU Riyadh serves a unique combination of refreshing beverages to add cheers to the evening.
OKKU Riyadh is known for its quality and taste, making it the best restaurant in Riyadh. Their menu serves the most tempting dishes for the evening, and the interiors boast exquisite décor, quality furnishings, Japanese contemporary artwork, and antique pieces. For the special New Year’s Eve in Riyadh, OKKU offers a relishing section on their menu, which includes steamed, baked, and Robata Grilled fresh fish and meats. You can choose from 30 unique cocktail options or your favourite from 20 types of teas inspired by Asian flavours and Indigenous ingredients.
Assila Hotel
Assila is a luxurious hotel located in Jeddah, one of the best attractions in Saudi Arabia, and it promises a perfect staycation for your Saudi New Year celebration. This hotel provides an oasis of leisure, luxury, and comfort for those looking for a memorable experience. It is a Luxury Collection Hotel celebrating traditional Arabian hospitality and contemporary sophistication. The rooms are spacious and luxurious and offer unprecedented comfort.
The hotel offers a range of amenities to pamper you, including spa therapies, rooftop pools with stunning views, a sports area, restaurants, lounges, and more. The restaurants at Assila are famous for their multi-culinary menu, classic interiors, and ambience. You can celebrate New Year’s Eve with a lavish dinner and start the new year 2024 with a delicious buffet breakfast, Continental breakfast, or Full American breakfast. From Arabic Mediterranean Restaurants to Lobby & terrace cafes with à la carte menus, Assila caters to travellers’ every need.
Nightlife Experience
Nightlife in Saudi Arabia is quite restrictive, but a few restaurants, lounges, or bars can make your New Year’s Eve celebration quite happening and enjoyable. However, it’s important to note that the nightlife is limited to only Riyadh and Jeddah, as most cities in Saudi Arabia do not tolerate the concept of nightlife due to their religious beliefs. Alcohol is strictly prohibited, but you can find selective restaurants or hotels that serve it in moderation so as not to hurt people’s sentiments and values.
If you are in Jeddah, you can visit the Twilight Bar and Lounge, or if you’re in Riyadh, the Pool Lounge is a great option to make your evening more dazzling and enjoyable. Make sure to reserve your tables in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle. It’s important to note that you may be disappointed if you’re looking for a DJ or live music influenced by Western culture. The musical ambience differs in Saudi Arabia, but it’s still enjoyable.
An Italian Dinner to Celebrate the Festivity
Piatto restaurant on King Abdullah Road in Jeddah is renowned for its mouth-watering Italian cuisine. It is the perfect place to celebrate New Year's Eve 2024 in Saudi Arabia. Piatto offers visitors a warm welcome and invites them to indulge in their delicious food and exceptional hospitality, bringing you the best flavours from the finest Italian kitchen.
The restaurant has a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere, with light, soothing music to enhance the magical evening. You can order their signature dishes and beverages for perfect dining. They also have an open-air seating area to take in any fireworks in the city. Their extensive beverage section offers a wide range of teas, and the menu features separate options for lunch, breakfast, and dinner. A special menu will be available for New Year's Eve (please consult for events) to ensure a complete family celebration.
Piatto restaurant is open from 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM so you can visit at your convenience.
Overnight Camping and Safari
If you're looking for a unique way to spend New Year's Eve, consider camping in the desert of Saudi Arabia and enjoying a night under the stars. Overnight camping is the best way to celebrate this special occasion, and desert safaris are standard in Saudi, especially in Riyadh.
To plan your adventure, you can consult a local agent to book a safari tour and camp. The desert safari in Riyadh is quite famous and offers a perfect day for adventure, thrill, and luxury. You can enjoy various activities such as sandboarding, dune bashing, and camel rides. You can also admire the beautiful sunset and sunrise views from the dunes.
For camping, you will stay at a luxury camp where you can enjoy traditional music and dance and delicious BBQ dinners and snacks to make the celebration grand and memorable. So, pack your bags and head to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for an unforgettable New Year's Eve celebration!
