Popular South Korean boy band BTS kicked off the Riyadh Season with their unique brand of pop music that had the multitude of K-pop fans swaying at the King Fahd International Stadium, here on Friday evening. In a joyous atmosphere the Korean band, making their first performance in Saudi Arabia, were thunderously welcomed by the crowd, who were left rapturous after a swinging performance. BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is the most streamed K-pop band in Saudi Arabia on Spotify. It is a seven-member South Korean boy band formed in Seoul in 2013. Originally a hip-hop group, their musical style has evolved to include a wide range of genres. Part of their world tour 'Love yourself... Speak yourself', the Korean pop band BTS will be in Riyadh Season for one night. With such a rocking start, Riyadh is sure to witness international events and historic days in terms of recreation in the Riyadh Season, the last of the 11 Saudi Seasons to be launched Kingdomwide in 2019. The carefully selected events and programs are diverse such that they will suit the different segments of the society. Specialists have named them as "an attractive global tourist movement." Marketers expect Riyadh Season, the 70-day mega event that is taking place all around Riyadh, to attract 5 million visitors. The event hopes to transform Riyadh into a world tourist destination The events in Riyadh Season are scattered among 12 tourist sites with a total area of 14 million sq. meters, hosting more than 100 different events activities and programs catering to various age groups and interests, and are taking place across 12 main zones in the city, hosting seven different themes — joy, inspire, taste, explore, fantasy, speed and desert. These events include Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, Ferrari Festival, Horror Carnival, Skating rink, Magic Park, Foot Park, wildlife, Aden Nights, Al-Mahroosa Nights, Nerve experience, Marvel experience, Dancing Fountain, dramas with the most famous comedians starring, 50 song concerts for the most famous Arab and Gulf singers, young talents, supported by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Taste For the 'Taste' theme, Riyadh Season is bringing cuisines from all around the world. More than 31 restaurants will be opening pop-ups across the city coming from all around the world to satisfy all the foodies. Joy The 'Joy' theme will include 22 events in 6 different zones of the city, which are: Parade: Opening night. The Riyadh Season opening night will take place in Zone 1, which is Riyadh Boulevard. The Parade will include 60 vehicles showcasing the most important events of the season. After the parade ends the skies of Riyadh will light up with fireworks coming out of Zone 4, Riyadh Winter Wonderland. Fireworks will also take place on the nights of Oct. 11,15,17,24,31, Nov. 7,14,21,28 and Dec. 5,12. Joy convention and Joy Expo Both the convention and the Expo are happening in parallel to each other on in Zone 9 at Al-Malaz KAP. The event will be a global gathering of international companies specialized in providing tourism and leisure services. The convention will be discussing the future of entertainment in Saudi Arabia and showcase successful experiences. While the expo will bring together global companies and international companies to showcase offers of tourism and entertainment to visitors. The Wizard of OZ The famous play 'Wizard of OZ' will come to Riyadh Season and will be on stage for two weeks. The play will take place in Zone 2-B at Princess Nourah University stage. The Illusionists The Illusionists are a touring magic production which features a rotating cast of 5 to 8 magicians who all specialize in specific branches of magic from stage illusions to mind reading to escapology and comedic magic. The show will go for 4 weeks, at Zone Four. Dynamo The famous magician Dynamo will hold a show in the Riyadh Winter Wonderland zone. Tickets can be bought online. Riyadh Winter Wonderland From fairground rides and ice skating to charming markets and family shows and surprises, the famous Winter Wonderland will be coming all the way from London to Riyadh for 11 weeks at Zone 4. The whole of Zone 4 is built to host Winter Wonderland and is named after it. Ice Rink The biggest ice skating arena in the region will be set inside the Wonderland, if you don't skate you can stay to enjoy shows on ice. WWE The WWE superstars will be in Riyadh for a show, promising for a unique show between the most famous stars of WWE at Zone 5 in King Fahd Stadium. Arabian concerts If you are into Arabic pop music and fancy to see Arab stars on stage, Riyadh Season will be welcoming Asala, Hussein Jasmi, Muhammad Abdo, Nancy Ajram, Tamer Hosni, Saber Robai, Nawal Zoghbi and many many others of the first row celebrities of the Arab world. Egyptian Theater Riyadh Season promises the most prominent and famous Egyptian plays. All will be on at the Janadriyah Theater. League of Legends For all the gaming fans out there, Riyadh Season will host gaming fans from all around the world to challenge each other. League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena to take place in Zone 1. Layali Aden All the way from Aden, a Yemeni night where you can enjoy Yemeni food and music, Layali Aden will take place all through season daily from 8 -10 p.m. in Riyadh Boulevard. Real Madrid Interactive Expo An interactive expo targeting all of the fans, where they will find interactive matches, historical moments of the team, trophies and more. Expo will take place inside Riyadh Winter Wonderland. Ferrari Festival Fans of the Ferrari brand will need to be in Riyadh to attend the festival, which will display more than 50 cars and other exotic sports cars along with exciting Ferrari events. Marvel experience A virtual experience happening inside Riyadh Winter Wonderland zone during the Riyadh Season. Go and fight along your favorite superheroes.
