Fadel Chaker Sells Out Two Nights at Abu Bakr Salem Stage
Last updated: 24 October 2026
Fadel Chaker completed both nights at the Abu Bakr Salem Stage in Boulevard City on Thursday 22 October and Friday 23 October 2026, his first live-audience concerts in 14 years. Billed “The Return of the Absent,” the two concerts opened the stage programme of Riyadh Season 2026; night one sold out within minutes and a second date was added.
Night one: an emotional return
Chaker walked out to a crowd that had waited years to hear him sing live, and the night turned emotional quickly. Arab News, which reviewed the concert, reports the singer telling the audience: “It’s like a dream, I swear.” The set ran through the romantic songs that made him one of the Arab world’s best-known voices, including “Ma’oul Ansak,” “Ya Ghayeb,” “Al-Hob W Bass,” “Ya Hayat Al-Rouh,” “Bayya’ Al-Quloub,” “Ana Eshta’tellak” and “Fein Layalik.” He closed the night with “Ahla Rasma.”
The standout moment came when his son, Mohammad Fadel Chaker, joined him on stage for their duet “Keefak A Fraqi,” a song about separation that took on a new meaning as father and son performed it together. Singer Nawal then made a surprise appearance, reuniting with Chaker on stage nearly two decades after their earlier collaboration, and called him “the voice of lovers.” The concert was held under the patronage of the General Entertainment Authority and organized by Benchmark as part of Riyadh Season.
Night two: the second sellout
Demand for the first night was so strong that organizers added the Friday 23 October date, and it drew a large turnout of its own. WeBook, the only official sales channel for both concerts, cancelled tickets that had been bought through illicit resale and re-released them to fans through its “TruFan” anti-black-market system, with refunds returned to the original buyers.
Boulevard City: free entry, ticketed concerts
Boulevard City sits in the Hittin district, is free to enter, and runs daily from 4:00 PM to 4:00 AM. The concerts were ticketed separately: entering the district cost nothing, but getting into the Abu Bakr Salem Stage required a concert ticket.
Our coverage on this independent Riyadh Season guide connects this story to the wider opening programme in two places. Readers can use our Boulevard City hub for activities, events and updates in Boulevard City for background on the district, and our Riyadh Season 2026 opening fortnight events guide to place the concerts in the opening period covered by that guide.
Frequently asked questions
When and where did Fadel Chaker perform?
Fadel Chaker performed at the Abu Bakr Salem Stage in Boulevard City on Thursday 22 October and Friday 23 October 2026, the opening concerts of Riyadh Season 2026 at that stage and his first live-audience shows in 14 years.
Did both nights sell out?
Yes. Night one sold out within minutes of tickets going on sale, which led organizers to add the second night on Friday 23 October. That date sold out as well and drew a large turnout.
What happened on stage across the two nights?
Chaker performed his best-known romantic songs and closed night one with “Ahla Rasma.” His son Mohammad joined him for their duet “Keefak A Fraqi,” and singer Nawal made a surprise appearance for a reunion nearly two decades after their earlier collaboration.
What happened to tickets resold on the black market?
WeBook cancelled tickets that had been bought through illicit methods and re-released them to fans through its “TruFan” system. WeBook was the only official sales channel for both concerts.