RIYADH — More than three million people visited the Riyadh Season festival during the first 10 days after its opening on Oct. 11, according to Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). "Around 8.3 million tickets have already been sold in only five locations of the season that have opened so far. The number of tourist visas issued for the season reached 1,500," he said during an inspection tour of the Riyadh Season Boulevard after its re-opening in a new look. He was briefed on the new arrangements and facilities, and also received feedback from some of the visitors. The Riyadh Season continued to score record numbers in terms of the number of visitors, as well as the number of events and amount of revenues. As part of the festival, the Riyadh Winter Wonderland kicked off on Tuesday with various games and activities. The entry to the Winter Wonderland, which is being held in an area spreading over 200,000 square meters, was restricted on Wednesday and Thursday to children from charity associations, and the children of martyrs on duty while it will open its doors to all visitors from Friday. The Winter Wonderland includes 42 different games and events suitable for all age groups. The largest skating rink in the Middle East and other recreational shows are being held as part of the event. The festival offers a wide variety of games, competitions, and performances in the presence of many celebrities in an enjoyable atmosphere, with pleasant shopping chances and a range of diners that leave a striking memory of this unique event. The Wonderland will also feature spectacular fireworks, which start every day all through the event at 9:30 pm, as well as an exhibition of the famous Spanish club Real Madrid, which includes a virtual stadium, the club's memorabilia such as prizes, titles and clothes. The event also features the giant screen of Luna Cinema, Britain's leading open air cinema, which will screen new movies via a large screen and open sessions to enjoy the cinema in the open air. Visitors enjoy participating in the Escape Hotel, where visitors will be able to solve puzzles at a specific time. Visitors to the "Pulse of Riyadh "site in Al-Murabba in the heart of the capital will be able to enjoy musical performances and popular colors from different regions. Visitors to the Riyadh Season are eagerly anticipating the launch of seven more locations in the season as per the GEA plan so that there will be six main locations and six branch locations for the largest ever season festival taking place in the Riyadh region as a whole.
