< Previous10 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com For the win TAKE YOUR CUE at the Snooker World Masters Twelve of the world’s best snooker players will compete over three days at the World Masters Snooker Championship. This is the second edition of the event, following the inaugural tournament which saw Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Luca Brecel 5-2 in the final. Watch out for a new 20-point Golden Ball this time round. O Wed Dec 18. Boulevard City, Hittin, webook.com. FEEL THE FURY at the Reignited Match Could this be the most hyped fight of the year? The Reignited 2 match for the heavyweight world title between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will take place at Kingdom Arena this month. Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion after narrowly defeating Fury back in May. Can he retain the title? O Sat Dec 21. Kingdom Arena, Hittin, webook.com. Designer dreams From his debut collection launched in 1947, French fashion designer Christian Dior founded one of the world’s top fashion houses. Chart the history of the brand at the new Christian Dior Designer of Dreams exhibition, featuring 200 archival dresses across 14 different sections for fashion enthusiasts. O From SAR40. Open Sat-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri 4pm-midnight. The National Museum, webook.com. SEE THE CITY SHINE as Noor Riyadh lights up the streets Until Saturday December 14, this will be the fourth edition of what has become the world’s largest art light festival. This year’s theme is Light Years Apart, with more than 60 artworks expected to illuminate areas of Riyadh over the two-and-a-half week period. As well as what is essentially a city-wide exhibition, there is an accompanying public programme of educational workshops, talks and performances. See as much as you can. O Nov 28-Dec 14. Various locations across Riyadh, riyadhart.com. A NEW SWEET JOURNEY for Sucré Salé From Jeddah to Riyadh, popular bakery Sucré Salé is now open in Mathar Ash Shamali. The home-grown brand offers a range of freshly baked cakes and pastries, with French and Middle Eastern influences. Trending right now are the mini pumpkin cakes with sugar glaze and the cinnamon pumpkin latte. Eat something at this cosy space then get a bag of savoury and sweet treats for takeaway. O Open Mon-Sat 9am-10pm. Mathar Ash Shamali, @sucresale_saudi. Glossier has entered the chat Known for its minimalist beauty and skin-first approach, Glossier is now available exclusively at Sephora in the GCC. Try best-selling products like the boy brow for effortless bushy brows and the cloud paint for a natural flush of colour. With products and shades that sound good enough to eat, it’s time to see what all the fuss is about. O Various Sephora locations, @glossier / sephora.sa. TOR_EN032_8_10_TTD_13430399.indd 10TOR_EN032_8_10_TTD_13430399.indd 1002/12/2024 13:4802/12/2024 13:48Barn’s beans aren’t just about coffee, but crafting a unique experience for all to enjoy. The brand selects the finest beans from top farms and uses advanced roasting techniques to produce the best flavours. When you enter a Barn’s store and breathe in the rich aroma, or savour the complex taste of a specialty brew, you’ll see why Barn’s beans are a favourite among coffee enthusiasts. Enjoy a smooth, rich black coffee for only SAR5 through Barn’s app. If your coffee Finest roast for your taste buds, only for SAR5 cravings lean toward boldness, this offer is made for you. Grab a two-pack of the finest coffee beans for just SAR38. For those who love brewing their coffee at home, Barn’s offers carefully roasted coffee beans available at any of the 800+ branches, Barn’s app or delivery apps, so you can craft your perfect cup any time and anywhere. Barn’s has shaped the nation’s coffee culture since 1992 as one of the Kingdom’s original coffee pioneers. With over 20 hot and iced coffee options on the menu, Barn’s is the perfect place for those seeking more than just a quick caffeine fix. Barn’s is with you. Whether you’re craving something sweet or savoury to pair with your coffee, there are delicious options, like a classic smoked turkey or tuna sandwich. For something sweet, try a rich chocolate muffin, fresh cookies and buttery croissants. What are you waiting for? Download the Barn’s app to unlock offers and earn points. O Barn’s Beans, onelink.to/barns / barns.com.sa. Partner Feature Coffee-lovers: Check out Barn’s December offers TOR_EN031_xx_ADVERTORIAL Barns Beans (3) copy V2_13452038.indd 11TOR_EN031_xx_ADVERTORIAL Barns Beans (3) copy V2_13452038.indd 1130/11/2024 15:5730/11/2024 15:57WONDER GARDEN 12 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com W hi m sic al TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 12TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 1230/11/2024 16:0030/11/2024 16:00WONDER GARDEN timeoutriyadh.com December 2024 13 Set off on an ethereal adventure at the family-friendly theme park Wonder Garden, with even more to explore during Riyadh Season. By Louise Charlesworth Wonder Garden wond ers TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 13TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 1330/11/2024 16:0130/11/2024 16:01WONDER GARDEN 14 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com Butterflies TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 14TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 1430/11/2024 16:0130/11/2024 16:01WONDER GARDEN timeoutriyadh.com December 2024 15 B ack for its second year, Wonder Garden is basically every little (and not so little) child’s dream come true. Known for its beautiful Flamingo Lake, which includes a garden-themed amusement park and a giant whimsical gate leading to flamingos, butterflies and enchanted trees, it’s simply stunning. Bigger and better, this year Wonder Garden will have 65 rides, two arcade halls, 35 restaurants, 15 stores and 60 roaming acts and stage shows. And while your little one’s imaginations will be captured from the get-go, there is plenty here to amuse every member of the family. Children will be mesmerised by the Bubble Garden, while older tweens and teens will be obsessed with cracking the various virtual reality experiences and escape rooms. Everyone will want a go on the classic Ferris wheel, while the adrenaline seekers will head straight for the rides that generally seem to do their utmost to defy gravity. And don’t be surprised if even your most impatient family member settles in to wait for one of the hundreds of butterflies to land on their outstretched hand. It’s magical, no matter your age. This year, Wonder Garden is expected to accommodate 23,000 people over an area of more than half a million square metres. So with it likely to be busy, it’s best to plan your route. Here’s our guide to the top attractions. MAIN WONDER GARDEN ZONES Your Wonder Garden ticket – which costs just SAR25 per person on weekdays and double that on weekends – gets you access to three main zones. These are Butterfly Garden, Flora and Jungle Adventure, plus Flamingo Lake which is located right in the centre of the theme park and most likely to be your first port of call. It’s hard not to be captivated by those candy-pink birds, as elegant as they are awkward on their stilt-like legs. You can explore all the areas in one trip, but if you want to try every experience within each zone, you’ll need multiple visits. This is one of the reasons we love Wonder Garden so much – there’s simply heaps to do. Here’s a quick guide to the zones: BUTTERFLY GARDEN The main attraction here is the Butterfly House, open for all ages. Home to more than 1,000 butterflies – as you walk slowly through the garden, pause to see if a butterfly will rest on you. Hold out a finger in the hope one will land, or watch as they settle on people’s heads, backs and handbags. As well as being able to interact directly with the butterflies, you can also learn more about them via exhibits and with family, friends and new people. Just remember, nobody likes a sore loser. O From SAR15, ages 12+. BUBBLE GARDEN A highlight for children, with plenty to explore in this land of whimsy, from entertaining games to educational workshops. The giant bubbles filled with various eye-catching exhibits will keep the little ones captivated for hours. We promise. O From SAR55. BULLSEYE This archery-focused attraction is for all levels, with classic archery fields for you to practise your shooting skills, as well as games like balloon popping and Tic Tac Toe with a twist. O From SAR45. DARK GARDEN Are you feeling brave? This is a thrilling attraction designed to make you jump. With new twists for 2024, Dark Garden blends horror, excitement, terror and surprise. You have been warned. O From SAR55. Ages 12+. ESCAPE IT With a minimum age limit of 12 and adults required to accompany their children, this one is not for the faint-hearted. Inspired by the horror film IT, you’ll need to solve complex puzzles within a time limit, with a chance to win rewards for successful escapes. O From SAR40. Ages 12+. Wonder Garden workshops. Your main challenge will be getting a photo before the beauties flutter off. O SAR20 (children), SAR30 (adults). FLORA Art and nature come together in this beautiful garden, with mad flower installations and the giant wheel. There’s also a host of family rides. O Al Malqa. JUNGLE ADVENTURE Get set for a thrilling adventure in the ‘jungle’, with towering trees, scary rides, skill games and the famous Dark Garden experience. Wonder Garden isn’t just about pretty blooms, O Al Malqa. TICKETED EXPERIENCES Once inside Wonder Garden, there is plenty to see and do, from the stunning gardens themselves to roaming entertainment, shows, arcades and endless food and beverage stalls. There are also multiple attractions that have an additional cost – you can buy tickets for all of these within Wonder Garden itself, with standard prices as listed on webook.com mentioned here. Fast track tickets are also available if you prefer to skip the queues. Here’s what to look out for: AL SAQEEFA Discover more than 500 board games in the Game Garden, where you can connect TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 15TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 1530/11/2024 16:0130/11/2024 16:01WONDER GARDEN 16 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com INSIDE STORY Take a sensory journey through the highs and lows of human emotions in this immersive and interactive experience. A chance to explore your own feelings and how we express emotions more generally. O From SAR50. Ages 12+. THE WONDER JOB Think you’ve got what it takes to rob a bank? Test your skills in this escape-room-esque game. Once you’ve accessed the safe and secured the master key, you can make your exit – only to find you have just 60 seconds to get out before the alarm goes off. O From SAR40. Ages eight+. UNKNOWN These 15-minute escape rooms have three different themes: the Unknown Bank, Unknown Prison and Unknown Pirate. Try them all and see if you can beat the clock to break free. O SAR75. Ages 12+. WHOOSH SPACE MISSION Go on an intergalactic adventure with Whoosh and his family to help them save their planet from alien invaders. Teamwork is the key to success as you tackle lasers, hidden grids and escape rooms to complete the challenge. O From SAR15. XSCAPE REALITY Interactive gameplay just got a glow-up at Xscape, a virtual reality experience in which participants have to solve thrilling challenges as they move through various immersive worlds. You can even compete in groups to overcome the hardest obstacles. O From SAR40. Ages eight+. RIDES AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS FAMILY RIDES One of the best parts of Wonder Garden is the big selection of family rides, which mean even toddlers get to experience some of the fun. Each ride has its own minimum and maximum height restrictions, so be sure to note those as you plan your trip around the zone. You’ll be able to buy tickets for rides once on site. In the Butterfly Garden zone, check out the Samba Balloon, Marco Polo, Mini Aviator, Rocking Tug and Shark Coaster. And grab all the family for a trip on the Wild Wasser, a log flume-style ride that promises a splash or two (spare clothes for little ones are recommended). Head for the Flora zone for all the old classics. Kids will make a beeline for the Classic Carousel – one of the all-time best rides ever made, surely? The 55-metre Big Wheel is unmissable, though there is a minimum accompanied height of 130 centimetres, while the Dark Ride is a version of the old-school ghost train. The Choco Cups, Big Foot Convoy, Flying Dumbo and Kayak Adventure are great options for the littlest kids that insist on doing everything themselves, while Wave Swinger normally gets a thumbs up from all the family. Wonder Garden There’s also Captain Hook, Cloud Climb, Tea Cups, the Mega Slide and Bumper Cars – enough to keep you amused for several repeat visits that’s for sure. Over in Jungle Adventure, you’ll also find the Disney Carousel, the Brucomela Coaster and the Birds Wheel, like a mini Ferris wheel for little ones from just 80-centimetres tall. There’s also the Flying Clown, Pirate Coaster and the Musik Express waltzer-style ride plus the Runaway Train and Pirate Ship. O Open daily 4pm-midnight. Al Malqa, riyadhseason.com / webook.com. THRILL RIDES Wonder Garden is also packed with a choice of thrill rides, most of which have a minimum height requirement of at least 120 centimetres. Try Endeavour and Jumper Jumper in the Butterfly Garden, or if you like going upside down, head for Artistico and Intoxx, which have a minimum height restriction of 140 centimetres. In Flora, swing high on the Star Flyer, spin like your life depends on it on Break Dance, wait for your stomach to flip on Drop Tower and scream/laugh/cry as appropriate on the Energiser, basically a massive, seemingly never-ending rollercoaster. If you like that, you’ll love the Double Loop Coaster over in Jungle Adventure, as well as Frisbee, Slingshot and Top Buzz, which quite frankly make us feel a bit queasy just looking at them. If you really can’t get enough of being swung upside down, then head for 2 Extreme, which does what it says on the tin. O Open daily 4pm-midnight. Al Malqa, riyadhseason.com / webook.com. TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 16TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 1630/11/2024 16:0130/11/2024 16:01WONDER GARDEN timeoutriyadh.com December 2024 17 Wonder Garden rides ALL THE DEETS WHAT IS WONDER GARDEN? Part of Riyadh Season, Wonder Garden is a family-friendly theme park packed with rides and attractions, famed for its Flamingo Lake and Butterfly House. WHERE IS WONDER GARDEN? Wonder Garden is located in Al Malqa, near King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Road. WHEN IS IT OPEN? Wonder Garden is open daily from 4pm until midnight. Last entry is at 11pm. HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS? Wonder Garden tickets are available on webook.com. Weekday tickets cost SAR25 and weekend tickets are SAR50. There is free entry for children under two years of age, adults aged 60+ and people with disabilities. Once inside the zone, various experiences and rides need their own tickets too. WHEN WILL WONDER GARDEN CLOSE? Currently, the zone is scheduled to remain open until Sunday January 5, 2025. TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 17TOR_EN032_12_17_Feature Wonder garden_13430410.indd 1702/12/2024 14:1902/12/2024 14:19SOUNDSTORM 2024 18 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com TURN TURN TOR_EN032_18_25_Feature Soundstorm guide_13430398.indd 18TOR_EN032_18_25_Feature Soundstorm guide_13430398.indd 1830/11/2024 16:0230/11/2024 16:02SOUNDSTORM 2024 timeoutriyadh.com December 2024 19 IT UP IT UP MDLBEAST Soundstorm is back. Here’s everything you need to know about Riyadh’s loudest weekend. By Louise Charlesworth MDLBEAST Soundstorm TOR_EN032_18_25_Feature Soundstorm guide_13430398.indd 19TOR_EN032_18_25_Feature Soundstorm guide_13430398.indd 1930/11/2024 16:0230/11/2024 16:02Next >