Set against the dramatic landscape overlooking Wadi Safar, the program blends history and environment, offering a calm yet engaging escape that reflects the deep relationship between people, land, and tradition in central Arabia.

Open daily from early evening until midnight, Minzal creates a timeless atmosphere where guests can explore Saudi customs through poetry, oral narratives, scenic viewpoints, and cuisine inspired by generations of local knowledge.

The experience is designed to feel organic and lived-in, allowing visitors to move freely between spaces that reflect different aspects of traditional life while enjoying modern comforts and thoughtful design elements.

Running until mid-February, Minzal offers a diverse range of activities including horseback riding, falconry, archery, and astronomy, alongside curated cafes, restaurants, and retail spaces that add a contemporary dimension.

Each element is carefully integrated to ensure authenticity remains central, while still appealing to international visitors seeking meaningful cultural engagement rather than surface-level tourism.

The program is divided into four main zones, each highlighting a distinct dimension of Diriyah’s historical and cultural legacy, encouraging exploration through participation rather than observation.

The Al-Uloom zone focuses on craftsmanship, where leather-working, carpet-weaving, and wood-working demonstrate skills that once supported everyday life and trade across the region.

Nearby, the Sloom experience centers on Saudi hospitality, offering insights into coffee traditions, desert plants, fire-lighting practices, camel-milking, and tent-making that shaped nomadic and settled communities alike.

For those drawn to movement and skill, the Faris Al-Badiyah experience brings equestrian heritage to life through horse riding and archery, emphasizing values of discipline, balance, and respect for animals.

The falconry zone introduces visitors to one of the most iconic aspects of Arabian culture, teaching the traditions, ethics, and techniques associated with hunting alongside trained falcons.

As night falls, the Al-Mushrif zone offers a quieter experience, with stargazing under clear desert skies that reflects how astronomy once guided travel, agriculture, and seasonal rhythms.

Minzal’s setting allows visitors to slow down and reconnect with nature, reinforcing Diriyah’s role as a place where geography and history have always been deeply intertwined.

Beyond entertainment, the program contributes to cultural education by presenting heritage as a living, evolving practice rather than a static display of the past.

Diriyah Season as a whole positions the area as a global destination for heritage tourism, drawing attention to sites that once served as political, cultural, and social centers of the region.

Minzal complements this vision by focusing on everyday life, offering intimate encounters with traditions that shaped community values and collective memory.

The experience reflects a broader national effort to preserve heritage while aligning it with contemporary standards of design, sustainability, and visitor engagement.

By combining Najdi authenticity with innovation, Minzal demonstrates how cultural preservation can coexist with modern development and international appeal.

As Riyadh continues to expand its cultural landscape, Minzal stands out as a space that honors the past while inviting dialogue with the present.

For visitors, the program offers not just activities, but a deeper understanding of how heritage continues to inform identity, creativity, and belonging in today’s Saudi Arabia.

The event recreates scenes of lively trade, cultural expression and artistic displays that reflect the region’s long-standing heritage.

This edition carries additional significance as it honors Japan and the cultural legacy of Kyoto, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Organizers said the event aims to strengthen cultural understanding while showcasing traditions from both nations.

Earlier in the month, Riyadh hosted a ceremony commemorating the diplomatic milestone, where officials noted the resilience of bilateral ties.

They highlighted that cooperation between the two countries continues to support stability and shared development goals at regional and global levels.

Souq Al-Mawsim forms part of the broader Diriyah Season calendar, drawing visitors for its combination of food, performances and handcrafted goods.

The festival is running from Nov. 9 to Dec. 8 and offers daily programs featuring Saudi and Japanese elements side by side.

Visitors have described the event as an engaging experience that blends art, history and cross-cultural interaction. Many noted that the fusion of both cultures created a distinctive atmosphere that appealed to families, tourists and heritage enthusiasts.

Event organizers designed the souq using creative elements that integrate symbols, materials and motifs from both Saudi and Japanese traditions.

They said the intention was to provide a sensory journey that allows visitors to connect with the artistic spirit of the two cultures.

The site includes 20 shops offering handmade goods, local specialties and traditional clothing representing various regions. Fifteen restaurants operate throughout the souq, serving dishes inspired by Japanese and Saudi culinary traditions, alongside snacks and seasonal meals.

Dedicated areas demonstrate traditional Saudi cooking methods, allowing visitors to observe local dishes prepared using time-honored techniques.

Other areas present musical performances and artistic showcases that reflect Diriyah’s cultural identity.

The festival also offers interactive opportunities for creative exchange between Saudi and Japanese artists.
Booths throughout the venue allow painters, calligraphers, sculptors and craftspeople to present and discuss their work with visitors.

One of the cultural activities drawing attention is the display of the Japanese “hagoita,” a decorated wooden paddle used in hanetsuki, a traditional New Year’s game.
Participants can learn the basics of the game and observe how the paddle has evolved from a recreational tool into a decorative art piece.

Japanese players at the festival explained that the game resembles simplified badminton or tennis, involving a shuttlecock batted between players.
Although less commonly played today, the hagoita remains a valued New Year’s symbol in Japan, often featuring elaborate artwork.

In addition to cultural activities, the festival highlights the Al-Tawalie area’s historical significance.
The region once served as an important meeting point for trade caravans that traveled across the Arabian Peninsula during the First Saudi State.

Traders historically visited the area from distant regions, turning it into a hub for commercial and cultural exchange.
This heritage is now revived through Souq Al-Mawsim, which aims to reconnect modern audiences with the spirit of traditional markets.

Diriyah Season organizers said the festival’s purpose extends beyond entertainment, emphasizing preservation of local heritage and support for creative industries.
They aim to showcase the diversity of Saudi traditions while promoting international cultural dialogue.

The event’s mixture of handicrafts, performances, workshops and exhibitions continues to attract visitors of all ages.
Its setting at a historic location further strengthens its role as a cultural bridge linking the past with the present.

Souq Al-Mawsim’s focus on collaborative art, food, and heritage underscores efforts to expand cultural tourism in the region.
Organizers expect steady attendance throughout the season as more visitors arrive to explore the site’s activities.

The season, themed “Ezek we Malfak” (Your Glory and Refuge), launched on Thursday along the beautiful banks of Wadi Safar in western Diriyah, marking another significant celebration of heritage, creativity, and unity.

The theme reflects Diriyah’s enduring legacy as the birthplace of the first Saudi state and a symbol of the Kingdom’s strength, culture, and history.

Organized by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), the opening ceremony was attended by Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah bin Turki, Governor of Diriyah, along with several cultural and media figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad.

The evening was brought to life with artistic performances inspired by the spirit of “Al-Awja,” a term deeply linked to Diriyah’s identity and the pride of the Saudi people.

Through captivating visual displays, advanced lighting, and drone shows, the story of Wadi Hanifa was beautifully told in a performance titled “I Am Al-Awja,” which left the audience inspired and emotional.

Adding to the evening’s charm, the winners of the “Rawi Al-Diriyah” (Narrator of Diriyah) program, Tamim Al-Harthi and Bader Al-Harbi, delivered interactive performances that reflected the profound connection between Saudis and their national heritage.

Their presentations, blending storytelling, music, and tradition, symbolized the deep emotional bond that unites the people of Saudi Arabia with Diriyah — the land where their nation’s story began.

The celebration also featured musical and theatrical performances showcasing Saudi folk traditions, including the Ardah and Samri dances.

These performances highlighted the diversity of Najdi culture and celebrated the artistic spirit of young Saudis, both men and women, who are keeping their heritage alive through creativity and performance.

Ahlam Al-Thunayan, director of Diriyah Season, explained that this year’s theme aims to celebrate Diriyah’s history, values, and culture in innovative ways that reflect the pride Saudis take in their roots.

She emphasized that the symbolism of Al-Awja represents the Kingdom’s continuity — linking the past with the present while inspiring future generations to preserve their cultural identity.

The season features more than 10 diverse programs over 120 days, ranging from cultural and artistic events to historical exhibitions.

Highlights include the “Hal Al-Qusour” program in the Al-Turaif district, where several historical palaces will be opened to the public for the first time, and the “Teen” program, which showcases traditional Najdi architecture.

Other attractions include the “Diriyah Novel Festival” in Al-Bujairi and “Diriyah Nights,” which bring together Saudi culinary art and international dining experiences in a lively and elegant setting.

The “Season Market” in Al-Tawali recreates the charm of old Arabian souqs, while Al-Dhuwairah district will host interactive family activities and craft workshops. Visitors can also enjoy luxury hospitality experiences with scenic views over Wadi Safar, merging modern leisure with historical elegance.

According to the DGDA, all programs are guided by principles of cultural sustainability, empowering local talents and artisans, and fostering partnerships that strengthen cultural tourism in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The goal is to position Diriyah as a living museum — a place where the past and present merge seamlessly to inspire the future.

Nasser Al-Gharbi, chairman of the Economic Families Association, praised the Diriyah Season as a shining example of how culture and community development can work together.

He noted that the season reflects Vision 2030’s objectives by empowering local communities and creating sustainable economic opportunities through cultural engagement.

Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh of the Saudi Economic Association highlighted that initiatives like the Diriyah Season help strengthen local economies, create jobs, and encourage regional investment — all key goals under Vision 2030.

The Diriyah Season ultimately stands as a proud tribute to Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, creativity, and unity. By blending tradition with innovation, the festival transforms Diriyah into a vibrant cultural hub that connects generations.

It serves as a reminder that the Kingdom’s strength lies not only in its progress but also in its deep respect for its history and identity — values that continue to guide its journey toward a bright and sustainable future.