Al-Ahsa Oasis Festival

Al-Ahsa Oasis Festival is an annual festival organized by the Heritage Commission under the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with al-Ahsa Governorate and al-Ahsa Municipality across several historical and archaeological sites in the governorate from November 20 to December 20, 2022. It provided an opportunity to visit the key heritage sites in the governorate to explore the province’s deep-rooted history and authentic tradition.

Al-Ahsa Oasis Festival featured various cultural, heritage, and entertainment activities, including an experience showcasing traditional professions for which al-Ahsa Governorate is renowned, such as the construction of al-Ahsa houses, gypsum carvings, the handicraft market, popular foods, restaurants, cafes, and live music, in addition to 3D light shows projected on the western wall of the Ibrahim Historical Palace in al-Hufuf Historical City.

Al-Ahsa Oasis Festival featured numerous archaeological sites, where visitors to Najm Spring experienced the beauty of Arabian horses and explored various sections dedicated to artisans renowned for crafting the traditional Hasawi Bisht, weaving palm fronds, and practicing arts of wood carpentry. The events of the archaeological site also hosted folkloric performances of traditional dances, reflecting a cultural heritage that has endured for centuries in al-Ahsa Governorate. The Heritage Commission, in collaboration with al-Ahsa Governorate, al-Ahsa Municipality, and al-Ahsa Literary Club, organized a scholarly seminar titled "Men of al-Ahsa: A Documentary Journey," with the attendance and participation of several academics and intellectuals, at al-Khayalah Theater in the park.

The festival also featured an event at Muhayris Archeological Palace, where visitors explored an exhibition dedicated to the Saudi national football team, reminisced about football memories, and watched the Saudi national team’s matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, held in the State of Qatar, on large broadcast screens, in addition to a traditional handicrafts market was set up in the palace corridors. The activities at the palace included musical performances and a collection of restaurants serving traditional local dishes. The festival also included an event at the historic "Bayt al-Bay’ah" (House of Allegiance), which hosted the Arabian Coffee Exhibition, introducing visitors to the methods of preparing and cultivating Arabic coffee. The events also featured an exhibition on the Saudi house, showcasing its lifestyle, construction techniques, architectural style, and detailed layout and extensions.

There were other events held as part of the al-Ahsa Oasis Festival at the Amiri School site, featuring traditional product-making techniques such as the craftsmanship of Hasawi Bisht and heritage arts like gypsum carvings, showcased in an accompanying art exhibition. The site also hosted daily educational workshops, an exhibition narrating the history of education in Saudi Arabia, musical performances, and local restaurants.

The historic al-Qaisariyah Market also hosted various activities, including cultural forums, traditional games, and popular dance performances such as Ardah, Samri, and Majilsi, in addition to musical shows, paragliding shows, represented by the flight of five Saudi pilots from al-Ahsa Aviation Sports,‎ performing specialized paragliding skills.