Looking for a unique holiday destination full of culture unlike anywhere else? Then don’t miss the chance to discover AlUla. This destination is home to a series of fascinating heritage and archaeological sites that span over 200,000 years of human history and 7,000 years of successive ancient civilisations, all the way back to the stone age. Dramatic tombs, incredible rock formations, Hegra, Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dadan, Jabal Ikmah and AlUla’s Old Town all sit alongside the lush green oasis of over 3m date palms. With exhilarating activities, breathtaking natural landscapes and rich heritage, this desert oasis is quickly becoming a premier travel destination. What’s more, AlUla is a destination that can be visited all year round. With a range of events and experiences to be enjoyed, each season offers something different for travelers. Read on to find out more about what there is to do in AlUla throughout the seasons!
With mild daytime temperatures and brisk evenings, winter in AlUla offers the perfect weather for exploring, cycling, and hiking and a range of outdoor events and exhibitions being enjoyable both day and night. Starting off the winter season is Winter at Tantora – the region’s longest-running culture, art, and music festival. Running across several weeks, this incredible cultural event was the first music and arts festival held in the Kingdom, and every year every corner of the region comes alive as a range of vibrant experiences take guests deep into the culture of AlUla.
The AlUla Arts Festival follows celebrating its fourth year this year, running in January and February. At the heart of the festival is AlJadidah, the arts and creative district which sits alongide AlUla Old Town and the Oasis. Dance and music performances, workshops, talks, and specially curated programmes are featured over the course of this one-of-a-kind festival. AlUla also comes alive with the spirit of adventure every January as the AlUla Trail Race brings together athletes of all abilities and ages from around the world. Running for a full weekend, this race unites communities and creates unforgettable memories as people gather to cheer on the runners.
In Spring the landscape blossoms, bringing an abundance of colour, nature and experiences for all. Almost perfect temperatures all day long creates the ideal environment to explore the beauty of the desert. If you are travelling to AlUla this spring then don’t miss the chance to experience Ramadan (taking place between 1 March – 5 April 2025). Discover the spirit of Ramadan through community-inspired events and special dining options that cater to every palate. There are a range of experiences during Ramadan not to be missed such as the Memories of Ramadan Night Tour, where guests will enjoy a guided torchlit tour by a local Rawi through AlUla’s old town, learning about the rich traditions and customs of Ramadan. What’s more during Ramadan the Incense Road transforms into a captivating display of sparkling lights with an abundance of food carts offering mouthwatering cuisine. The annual AlUla Skies Festival offers adventure and discovery with hot air ballooning, stargazing astronomy workshops and pop up planetariums.
Mornings and evenings in Summer offer a good time to explore, with pleasant temperatures and low humidity. Spectacular sunsets provide a magical backdrop for a range of unforgettable outdoor activities including stargazing and dining under the stars. What’s more, this year Eid AlAdha is running in June, an unforgettable celebration for all ages. This four day holiday is a time for families to make unforgettable memories amongst AlUla’s incredible landscapes and serene atmosphere. Eid hosts a range of experiences from parades and music to beautiful lights and small giveaways as well as extended restaurant and shop opening times and extra tours on offer at heritage sites. The AlUla Desert Blaze is also held during summer. This popular annual race brings athletes from around the world to AlUla. If you are in AlUla during the race be sure to go and experience the lively atmosphere and cheer on the runners.
Autumn in AlUla brings pleasant temperatures all throughout the day, creating the perfect environment to explore and enjoy an abundance of outdoor activities. In October the AlUla Wellness Festival kicks off, designed to let you seek, nurture and connect to the stunning revitalising Oasis. Take time to pause, reflect and rejuvenate with a programme of celebrity-led workshops, fully immersive retreats and a series of unique experiences. In November the Ancient Kingdoms Festival begins. This festival showcases specially curated tours and experiences, candlelit concerts, and unique exhibitions of artefacts all focused on the rich heritage and history from the ancient world. Travel back in time at this festival and discover how and why AlUla has nurtured civilisations for millennia.
No matter which time of the year you choose to visit AlUla, we are sure you will not regret the decision to experience this incredible destination.