Category Events, Tourism

As winter sets in, Riyadh transforms into a sweeping festival city, where headline sport, mega-music, design-led nightlife, and immersive zones converge. From late November through early 2026, Saudi’s capital invites visitors to dive into nights that sparkle, zones that thrill, and evenings that linger long after midnight. Here are the essential experiences to lock into your calendar.

Portrait Milano, part of the Lungarno Collection, has transformed its Piazza del Quadrilatero into a winter destination with the launch of The Gift: Portrait of a Winter’s Tale – a large open-air ice-skating rink set in the heart of Milan. Open daily from 11am to 7pm until 6 January 2026, the rink invites residents, families, and visitors to experience the festive season in a uniquely atmospheric setting.

Admission is €15, with all proceeds donated to Fondazione Mente, the Milan-based organisation supporting children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Fasten your seatbelts as the Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi Fanzone is back from December 3 to 7, 2025, bringing fans an elevated, Ferrari-inspired race-week experience. Every year during the electrifying Formula 1 season, the award-winning theme park becomes the ultimate destination to follow the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, broadcasting every practice session, qualifying round and the final race live under its iconic red roof. With the action taking place just moments away at Yas Marina Circuit, fans can enjoy five days of F1 excitement from the heart of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

On December 2, TIME will announce the recipients of the first-ever TIME100 Impact Awards Abu Dhabi, recognizing leaders shaping the future of their industries and communities. TIME will host a celebration in Abu Dhabi on December 5 during the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix weekend.

THE SUMMYT SHOWDOWN returns to CLYMB™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi with another competition designed to test limits and raise spirits. CLYMB™ brings enthusiasts two action-packed days of strength, skill and community to the region’s tallest indoor climbing wall. Whether guests are taking part or cheering from the sidelines, this is where Abu Dhabi’s climbing scene hits new heights.