Local festivals and events
Whether it’s arts, music, outdoor activities or thrill-seeking adventures you’re looking for, the local festivals and events will provide unforgettable experiences during the duration of your trip. Here’s just a sample of what’s happening locally over the next few months.
Festivals
- April 9 – 12, 2025
The Camel Cup, the pinnacle of regional camel racing, is a four-day event featuring the fastest camels and most skilled riders in multiple rounds of competition.
- February 9 – 15, 2025
Held in Al Mughira Village, the AlUla Falcon Cup is the world’s largest event of its kind, featuring local, regional, and international falconers.
- January 16 – February 22, 2025
The Arts Festival transforms AlUla into an open-air living museum, showcasing flagship events, immersive exhibitions, and creative initiatives.
- February 6 – 8, 2025
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup is a 120 km test of man and horse across AlUla’s rugged desert terrain, offering activities, entertainment, and dining for a fun family day out.
- January 15 – 18, 2025
The world’s first modern polo tournament in a unique desert setting features top international players, offering luxury hospitality, live entertainment, and an exhilarating atmosphere alongside world-class polo.
- December 19, 2024 – January 9, 2025
Winter at Tantora is an annual festival of culture, art, and music in AlUla, offering a unique chance to experience the mild winter and transformed desert landscape, while providing a platform for local and international artists to engage with global audiences.
- January 28 – February 1, 2025
Some of the best cyclists on the planet compete in five thrilling days of action, set against some of the most beautiful scenery on the world tour.
- October 17 – November 2, 2024
AlUla, long a haven of tranquility, is ideal for reflection and renewal, with an annual festival offering activities, workshops, and experiences to restore balance.
- September 26 – October 5, 2024
Hot-air balloons and helicopters offer stunning daytime flights over AlUla, while nights bring stargazing, symphonies, and drone shows for unforgettable memories.
- 19 – 21 September, 2024
Azimuth is not just a festival; it’s an extraordinary journey. A celebration of music, art and culture unlike anything that’s come before it.
- August 24, 2024
AlUla Desert Blaze challenges the toughest runners in the heat of summer. With distances of 5km, 10km, half marathon, and a full marathon, the race passes AlUla’s iconic sites like Hegra and Maraya.
- November 7 – 30, 2024
Explore the textured past of AlUla, Khaybar, and Tayma’s oases, ancient burial sites, and desert villages, immersing guests in historical cultures and the power shifts that shaped the region.
- Summer 2024
Madrasat Addeera is AlUla’s first Arts and Design Centre. It’s dedicated to developing artisanal skills and craft programs among the local population to support the growth of a sustainable, vibrant, and authentically creative artisan and design industry. At a cornerstone of AlJadidah, AlUla’s vibrant arts district, the centre aims to
- Summer 2024
Explore the vibrant public art scene in AlJadidah, AlUla’s artistic district and cultural hub, through a guided walking tour. The tour, led by Hukat AlFann, will showcase contemporary art by leading artists from around the world, specially commissioned works for the AlUla Arts Festival, and pieces created by local students
- Summer 2024
Showcasing the work of leading artists from key Saudi Arabian private collections. The exhibition will feature paintings, sculpture, photography, installation, and video works from the past 25 years, highlighting the diversity and creativity of contemporary artists.
Events
Immerse yourself in nature with this 4km hike through the Hidden Valley within the Sharaan Nature Reserve.
Take your adventure to the next level with rock climbing on the spectacular rocks of AlUla.
Take a leap on the Giant Swing in AlUla swinging over 85 metres above the ground into a 70-metre arc in a stunning canyon.
The first of its kind in the region, the AlUla Stairway takes you up a 45-metre ladder with a zipline back down.
The first Infinity race to ever take place outside of North America, this epic eight-hour competition challenges athletes to accomplish the largest number of laps around an obstacle course. The winner of this incredible event will be awarded one of the largest financial prizes in obstacle-course racing history.
In partnership with a top fashion house, this landmark event will feature a couture collection inspired by AlUla. The mirrored Mayara building and surrounding scenery will also provide stunning backdrops for the fashion show, cocktail reception and showroom.
A dynamic centre of all things music, the AlUla Music Hub is located in the bustling arts and culture district of AlJadidah. Children and adults are invited to take lessons for instruments such as the oud, guitar, qanoon and piano. All group courses at the AlUla Music Hub are designed