AlUla Moments 2023: Here's all you need to know
Are you ready for your AlUla Moments?
AlUla’s home of events, AlUla Moments, has just unveiled the line-up for its new season, and this time around we can look forward to five festivals and six events until the end of 2023, including the welcome return of the highly-anticipated Winter at Tantora festival.
Also making a comeback is AlUla Dates Festival, Azimuth, AlUla Wellness, Ancient Kingdoms Festival, and more. Two new festivals: AlUla Catwalk and Extreme Adventure AlUla also join the line-up for the first time.
Despite having over 200,000 years of unexplored history to experience, the destination is also transforming into a hub for art, culture, sports, and entertainment.
Here are the dates for your diary for AlUla Moments 2023. There’s something for everyone…
Winter at Tantora
AlUla will see the return of Winter at Tantora, from Thursday, December 22 2022 to Sunday, January 22 2023. The region’s longest running festival features the best of fine arts, music, fashion, and food. Last year’s festival saw high-end performances from the likes of Alicia Keys, Andrea Bocelli, and Abdulrahman Mohammed as well as Hegra Candlelight Classics.
Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo
The game of Kings is back with the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo 2023 taking place on Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28. Across the weekend, visitors can witness the legendary La Dolfina Polo team playing alongside local and international guests and compete in the fashion stakes, showcasing their favourite winter looks while they cheer on the riders.
AlUla Catwalk
Running from Thursday, February 9 to Sunday, February 12, the first-ever marquee fashion event in Saudi Arabia will be presented in AlUla Catwalk. With a weekend of fashion, music and art event inspired by the plight of the critically endangered Arabian Leopard, AlUla Catwalk is designed to raise awareness of important measures being taken to restore the animal to the wild. The Arabian Leopard trail will be launched, there will be a photographic exhibition in nature and an auction and bazaar will celebrate the artistry of fashion in the majestic surroundings and landscapes of AlUla.
AlUla Arts Festival
AlUla Arts Festival is set to be a must-visit event on the global arts calendar. From Monday, February 13 to Tuesday, February 28, the festival will offer a diverse, curated selection of art workshops, immersive experiences, and international art exhibitions. The flagship event for 2023 is the Andy Warhol exhibition which will take place from February 17 to May 16, at the record-breaking Maraya arts centre.
AlUla Trail Race
AlUla Trail Race, on Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24, will be an open-to-everyone fun event for both experienced and amateur runners/walkers. The race will allow participants to explore the stunning landscapes and nature of AlUla while rewarding their body and mind.
AlUla Endurance Cup
Returning for its fourth edition on Saturday, March 4, the AlUla Endurance Cup will welcome over 200 riders to compete on the desert track with the finest horses from around the world. Equestrian enthusiasts and interested spectators will have an opportunity to experience an exciting day out, with entertainment and food and beverage on offer while connecting AlUla’s ancient Arabian horse heritage culture.
AlUla Skies Festival
200 colourful balloons will fly high over the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra from Thursday, April 20 (coinciding with Eid Al Fitr) to Thursday, May 4. The beloved once-in-a-lifetime experience is one to book early. Alongside the balloons, there will be a number of events to celebrate the vast open space of the desert and night sky lit up by the milky-way.
Extreme Adventure AlUla
This one is for the adrenaline-junkies, nature-enthusiasts, and fitness gurus. From abseiling, hiking, cycling, dune buggies, rock climbing and many more, get involved with this extreme adventure challenge from Wednesday, June 7 to Saturday, June 10.
Azimuth
Azimuth festival will return after a hugely successful event in 2022 featuring a number of local and international artists, DJs, and art activations. The music event will once again take place during the Saudi National Holiday, Friday, September 22 to Monday, September 25.
AlUla Wellness Festival
AlUla Wellness Festival is returning for its third edition and will take place from Tuesday, September 26 to Monday, October 16. Marking the beginning of the autumn harvest, the wellness festival aims to inspire positive change with the change of the new season, and promote mental and physical health with back-to-nature experiences for friends and families to take part in. Expect hundreds of experiences such as yoga, meditation, talks and fitness including the return of some of its popular concepts such as the Five Senses Sanctuary.
Ancient Kingdoms Festival
Ancient Kingdoms Festival will return for its second edition from November 17 until December 3. The festival introduces the connection between the three linked ancient oases of North West Arabia – AlUla, Khaybar and Tayma – and offers a sneak peek of immersive experiences set in historic and natural landscapes as part of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival.
Images: Provided