ALULA MOMENTS: DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE ANCIENT OASIS CITY CALENDAR

• AlUla Moments is back bigger and better than ever in 2023/24
• Headline acts announced for AZIMUTH kicks off calendar of events with tickets on sale NOW 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 24 August 2023:

Bringing the colour and excitement of AlUla Moments and AlUla’s extraordinary landscapes and rich history to life, an exclusive first-of-its-kind activation, ‘AlUla Immersive’, was held at the Theatre of Digital Art in Dubai, UAE tonight.

Opened free to the public, the immersive experience not only showcased the AlUla Moments line-up of events and festivals but took attendees on a sensory 360-degree journey of some of AlUla’s most mesmerizing landscapes. 

Comprising art, wellness, heritage, adventure, sport, music, dining, and immersive cultural experiences - AlUla Moments events and festivals celebrate AlUla’s rich history, unlock its unique stories, and encourage the exchange of cultures across Saudi Arabia, the region, and the world.

At ‘AlUla Immersive’, guests were given a first look at the program and dates for 2023/24, set to the backdrop of dynamic interactive visuals and MDLBEAST-powered performances by regional DJs, building on the excitement for the up-and-coming AZIMUTH.

Rami Al Mouallim, Vice President, Destination Management and Marketing at The Royal Commission for AlUla said: “We are delighted to unveil our AlUla Moments calendar and showcase the rich tapestry of authentic experiences coming up for this year and the next.

Our diverse offerings reinforce AlUla’s standing as a world-class, year-round destination where visitors are captivated by awe-inspiring landscapes, ancient heritage and a thriving arts and cultural scene.

“AlUla is quickly reasserting itself as the vibrant hub for creative and immersive encounters that it was thousands of years ago. From ancient wonders to contemporary festivals and events, the upcoming season at AlUla offers a transformative journey that will leave a lasting impression on every visitor."

Building on the popularity and success of previous editions, AlUla Moments promises to provide experiences that are even more extraordinary than before. Standout occasions already classed as ‘must attend’ include AZIMUTH, the renowned music and entertainment extravaganza which kicks off the new season on 21 September, coinciding with Saudi National Day.

The one-of-a-kind festival is back with regional artists and international stars, with JORJA SMITH, Shkoon LIVE, THIEVERY CORPORATION, ÂME & DIXON, TINARIWEN, CHET FAKER, and DOPE LEMON now all confirmed to be appearing as part of the star-studded line-up. Tickets are on sale for the two-day festival and are available HERE.

Following AZIMUTH, the AlUla Wellness Festival will take place from 19 October to 5 November, bringing together the world’s best practitioners of yoga, meditation and more alongside local talent to create a highly anticipated, holistic wellness experience.

The Sanctuary Five returns with immersive sensory-based wellness experiences including yoga, meditation, and mindfulness sessions, running daily from 7am to 7pm during the festival. Visitors can take advantage of art therapy, Ayurveda, and sound-healing from world-class experts, as well as inspiration talks with leading experts in their fields, including Anas Bukhash and Hala Kazim.

Providing opportunities to be at one with nature there are eco-gardening and voluntourism experiences to give back to the stunning AlUla environment as part of the 2023 event schedule. Anchored by opportunities to connect with nature through culture, art, and music, the festival will rejuvenate and enrich minds and bodies.

From 17 November to 3 December, the Ancient Kingdoms Festival returns for its second edition, presenting journeys of wonder and discovery inspired by the ancient world. The rich mix of events will present a journey through time informed by history and designed to delight, ranging from after-dark experiential immersions to family-friendly hands-on activities. 

In the coming edition, Hegra – the iconic archaeological site at the heart of the Incense Road – will act as the epicenter of festivities, as the Nabataean masterpiece celebrates its 15^th year anniversary as Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic heartland will host special performances, innovative tours, and imaginative discovery programmes.

Watch this space for further announcements about a world-first exclusive event set to be offered as part of Ancient Kingdoms 2023.

Combining music, art, sport and cultural festivities, Winter at Tantora returns as the festival that started it all. Authentic AlUla celebrations will run from 21 December to 21 January, allowing visitors to experience the wonders of AlUla over four themed weekends filled with geological wonders, mesmerizing arts, dreamy sounds, and cutting-edge fashion.

Amongst the highlights of Winter at Tantora is the Citrus Festival, which takes place during the peak of the harvest season, alongside sporting events such as the epic AlUla Trail Race, which invites athletes, amateur runners, and children alike to participate and, of course, a high fashion event. More information will be divulged soon.

With dates now confirmed as 17 to 20 January, the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo returns to AlUla as one of the most exclusive, exciting and visually stunning annual events to take place in Saudi Arabia, with international teams including St Tropez and La Dolfina showing off their sublime horsemanship set against the magnificent backdrop of desert mountains and lush oasis. AlUla’s desert polo is an evolution of one of the world’s oldest sports, delivering unbridled luxury alongside sheer sporting theatre on AlUla’s ancient sands.

In 2024, the AlUla Arts Festival will once again welcome the world’s art aficionados from around the world to interact with the dynamic creative spirit of AlUla that has its roots in antiquity and carries on today.

Held from 8 February to 2 March, 2024, the festival will immerse visitors in a vibrant celebration of contemporary visual and public art, design, curated cinema, art tours, and artist residencies. At AlUla’s mixed-use creative hub, Madrasat Addeera, there will be hands-on workshops on crafts such as palm weaving, pottery, jewelry, geometry, 3D strictures, textiles, and much more.

Returning for a third edition in 2024, Desert X AlUla, the renowned international art in the landscape exhibition will captivate visitors with its large-scale site-responsive installations set against AlUla’s stunning backdrop. In addition, a new contemporary art exhibition specifically curated for Maraya will launch during the AlUla Arts Festival 2024.

With more arts events yet to be announced, arts and culture enthusiasts should mark February as a month of not-to-be-missed dates in AlUla.

An established fixture on the world equestrian stage, the fifth edition of the prestigious Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup will take place in February 2024, welcoming the world’s best endurance riders to AlUla as they compete in this hotly contested 120 km equestrian challenge

Continuing the winter season, the AlUla Skies Festival allows visitors to experience the beautiful scenery of AlUla from a one-of-a-kind perspective. Fans can explore the skies of Saudi Arabia’s ancient city through activities such as hot air balloons, helicopter tours, drone shows, stargazing and much more.

AlUla Camel Cup set a new standard for camel racing in the region with its first event in March 2023. Now known as the pinnacle of the Saudi Arabian camel racing season, with a specially built venue offering authentic entertainment, retail and dining from AlUla and a crowd of fashionistas to witness the excitement, the event will return in April 2024.

Enter the Desert Blaze, an extraordinary event that pushes the boundaries of physical endurance to the extreme. Nestled amidst soaring temperatures that reach up to 42°C (107°F), the second edition of Desert Blaze promises an unparalleled challenge for athletes and adventurers alike.

Featuring an array of races including 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km distances, the event presents routes that meander through AlUla's timeless ancient monuments and vast sandstone canyons. This unique experience promises not only a physical trial but an unforgettable journey through history and nature.

With more information to be announced in due course, AlUla Moments promises a season of awe-inspiring moments and the chance to make unforgettable memories.

AlUla Moments to mark on the calendar 2023-24

Azimuth 21 – 22 September

AlUla Wellness Festival 19 October – 4 November

Ancient Kingdoms Festival 17 November – 2 December

Winter at Tantora 21 December – 27 January

Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo 17 January – 20 January

AlUla Arts Festival 8 February -2 March

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup - February

AlUla Skies Festival 10 April – 20 April

AlUla Camel Cup – April

Desert Blaze - June

For more information, please visit: www.experiencealula.com/en

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About AlUla Moments:

AlUla Moments is AlUla’s new home of events. The brand was launched at the end of 2021 and introduced four new festivals to celebrate and unlock AlUla’s stories, uncover its secrets and celebrate local and international cultures. With 7000 years of civilizations and home to some of the most sophisticated ancient Kingdoms of antiquity, AlUla is no stranger to social gathering and cultural celebrations.

The four festivals introduced were Winter at Tantora, which returned to celebrate heritage, culture and music, in addition to the AlUla Skies, AlUla Arts and AlUla Wellness Festival.

The festivals offered a selection of experiences in art, culture, music, nature, wellness, equestrian, food and astronomy. All of which were celebrating the culture, history and legacy of AlUla and the civilisations that once called the land of AlUla their home.

In 2023, AlUla Moments presents a number of flagship festivals and marque events, including the return of Winter at Tantora, AlUla Wellness Festival, AlUla Arts Festival, AlUla Skies, AZIMUTH, unique sporting events, and many more.

For more information please visit experiencealula.com/en/alula-moments

About AlUla:

Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.

The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 52-hectare ancient city, Hegra was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and is comprised of 111 well-preserved tombs, many with elaborate facades cut out of the sandstone outcrops surrounding the walled urban settlement.

Current research also suggests Hegra was the most southern outpost of the Roman Empire after the Roman’s conquered the Nabataeans in 106 CE.

In addition to Hegra, AlUla is also home to ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms and considered to be one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, an open air library of hundreds of inscriptions and writings in many different languages. There is also AlUla Old Town, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes developed from at least the 12th century, and Hijaz Railway and Hegra Fort, key sites in the story and conquests of Lawrence of Arabia.

For more information, please visit: www.experiencealula.com