Al-Ula Moments

Al-Ula Moments is one of the tourism seasons in al-Ula Governorate in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was launched by the Royal Commission for alUla on December 12, 2021.

Al-Ula Moments season included four festivals: al-Ula Skies Festival, al-Ula Wellness Festival, al-Ula Arts Festival, and the Winter at Tantora Festival. The season's events were organized at several archaeological sites in the governorate, including "Hijr," which is listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 'UNESCO' World Heritage Site.

The third season of Winter at Tantora was held in 2023 as part of al-Ula Moments season, beginning with the start of winter, which historically marked the beginning of the agricultural season in al-Ula. The festival has a traditional character, featuring cultural events that showcase the customs of al-Ula, alongside global events.

Al-Ula Arts Festival was the second of the four festivals in al-Ula Moments season, taking place from February 13 to March 31, 2022. The festival featured open-air cinema screenings, workshops, and studios for several artists, as well as mural art displays.

As part of the festival, a large handmade carpet was laid out along the streets of al-Jadidah District, designed to be near the Oasis and the Old Town. Al-Jadidah featured restaurants, shops, and entertainment activities, as well as the Desert X al-Ula exhibition, which showcases nature-inspired art and is held periodically in al-Ula. In this edition, it was presented under the theme Sarab (Mirage).

Al-Ula Wellness Festival was the third festival in al-Ula Moments season, held from March 17 to 27, 2022. The events included sports, music, and wellness experiences.

The wellness experiences included yoga sessions for interested visitors, organized by specialists from "Five Senses Sanctuary." Additionally, the musical experience event, titled "MindTravel in al-Ula," was created by musician Murray Hidary, offering a therapeutic musical experience. Other events included the musical fitness activity "Fitness X Music" and the EcoTrail race.

Al-Ula Skies Festival, the fourth of the festivals in al-Ula Moments season, lasted for fourteen days, from February 27 to March 12, 2022. It featured stargazing and planetary observation activities, along with a drone show where drones formed models of ancient constellations in the sky. These events combined visual effects with music.

Al-Ula Moments season hosted various activities, including unconventional dining experiences and diverse exhibitions such as the Contemporary Art Exhibition, which featured artworks from previous decades by Saudi artists.

Additionally, al-Ula Moments showcased the first editions of works by photographers from within the Kingdom and abroad at the global exhibition "Cortona On The Move." This event was held in collaboration with the Italian documentary photography festival and presented a collection of images under the theme "Moving Forward," featuring recent works in photography.

Al-Ula Moments also presented open-air art exhibitions, live performances, and both global and local plays, such as the "Oasis Reborn" exhibition, held in the midst of a palm grove in the governorate. This exhibition featured research and artworks creatively crafted by artists inspired by their first stay in al-Ula. Additionally, a ten-day live acrobatic show took place in the streets of the governorate, alongside around fifteen unique dining experiences under the stars, reflecting the farmer's lifestyle in a contemporary setting within the same oasis.

Al-Ula Governorate is home to historical and archaeological sites, such as al-Khuraybah (formerly Dadan), as well as areas rich in ancient inscriptions and rock art scattered across its mountains, dating back to ancient civilizations like the Thamudic, Latin, and Safaitic. Tourism and cultural festivals, such as al-Ula Moments season, serve as a platform to share the governorate's rich cultural, historical, and natural heritage with the world. Additionally, the governorate's natural landscape and favorable climate make it an ideal location for hosting international festivals and conferences.