AlUla Moments: 4 must-visit festivals in AlUla this winter season
Winter at Tantora returns to AlUla along with three momentous new events to celebrate AlUla’s stories and local and international cultures…
Are you ready for your AlUla Moments?
AlUla’s new home of events, AlUla Moments, has just unveiled four significant festivals, including the highly anticipated Winter at Tantora event, as well as new events, namely AlUla Arts, AlUla Skies, and the AlUla Wellness Festivals.
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The festivals will offer curated experiences of art, culture, music, nature, wellness, equestrian, gastronomy, and astronomy.
Set amidst the backdrop of AlUla’s many timeless wonders, the four distinct festivals will commence on December 21 and run through to March 30, 2022.
Here are what we know so far and some of the things you can look forward to during the festivals.
Winter at Tantora: December 21 to February 12
The very first music and arts festival in the Kingdom returns to AlUla.
The event will begin with a stunning Candlelit Symphonic Concert at the Unesco World Heritage Site of Hegra. The programme for the six-week festival will feature archaeology and cultural workshops and live immersion shows at AlUla Old Town and in the oasis.
Also on the programme are a range of equestrian events, including the eagerly awaited new haute couture horse fashion event, Ikmah Fashion Calvary, the return of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Race, and the oh-so-chic AlUla Desert Polo competition.
There’s also the new Citrus Festival, which will highlight the region’s produce. Plus, the Harrat Observation Desk will be open for stunning sunrise and sunset views of AlUla from the top of the Harrat Uwayrid mountain.
AlUla Arts: February 13 to February 26
The AlUla Arts festival will bring together exhibitions and encounters created by a diverse array of artistic talents to celebrate AlUla’s legacy as a cultural crossroads.
Returning under the theme ‘Art of Our Time’, an exhibition representing the cutting edge of contemporary art by some of the leading artists in the Kingdom will be hosted at the award-winning Maraya concert hall.
Al Jadidah and Oasis will be a vibrant hub of art activity and cultural performances, with the outdoor Cinema El Housh screening local art house films.
AlUla Skies: February 27 to March 12
It’s no secret that the fascinating geological landscapes of AlUla, from the volcanic plains to the ancient heritage sites, are best seen from the air.
AlUla Skies provides visitors with a bird’s-eye view of Hegra in a hot air balloon, the oasis in a vintage plane, and the rock formations of the Madakheel canyons on a helicopter ride.
Other immersive experiences are Constellations, a state-of-the-art stargazing tour, and Symphony under the Stars, a spine-tingling musical performance set under a million twinkling stars.
AlUla Wellness Festival: March 17 to 27
AlUla’s cultural oasis will be home to all things wellness.
The Five Senses Sanctuary will offer a full range of mind, body and soul experiences from expert yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practitioners.
For something more energetic, the Eco-Trail returns to AlUla with group-led classes by AlUla Oasis Fitness Infusion.
Those looking for a moment of reflection should visit the new Garden of Moments, an art installation fusing space, lights, and sound.
AlUla’s exciting new events programme
In addition to the four major festivals and their line-up of events, musical performances will be back in AlUla, starting from this October, with Maraya taking centre stage again as the venue for regional and international acts.
Also coming back this year will be the popular sunken seating and fire pits around Elephant Rock.
Expect new adventure experiences such as mountain biking, crossing the Via Ferrata suspension bridge, zip-lining along the new extended course, and challenging hiking trails at Madakheel.
Foodies will also enjoy the variety of dining options at AlUla, including the return of Annabel’s, Le Maschou, Myazu, and Maraya Social, a rooftop restaurant by Michelin-star chef Jason Atherton.
So, gear up for unlimited entertainment, embark on new adventures and get ready for an experience of a lifetime with your loved ones. AlUla’s festivals await you.
Well, we know where we’ll be heading for sure…
AlUla Moments include free and ticketed experiences, with more information available at experiencealula.com
Visit: @alulamoments
Images: Provided