Winter at Tantora

Winter at Tantora is an annual festival organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Province, located west of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The festival derived its name from Al-Tantora, a sundial that marks the beginning of the four seasons of the year. The first edition of the festival was launched on December 19, 2018, and covered thirteen archaeological and cultural sites.

Winter at Tantora Festival has deep historical and cultural significance, as it is held in AlUla Governorate, located northwest of Saudi Arabia, a region rich in historical sites and a crossroads of civilizations throughout the ages. The festival's first edition was launched on December 19, 2018. During the event, the Maraya concert hall was inaugurated with its distinctive design, built as the festival’s main venue. Over the course of seven weeks, it hosted performances by eight internationally renowned artists.

AlUla Governorate is recognized globally as an archaeological site and is classified as a premier tourist destination due to its breathtaking natural landscapes. It is distinguished by its diverse vegetation and long-standing agricultural heritage. The people of AlUla have practiced farming for thousands of years, leaving their legacy engraved on the rock faces across the region for nearly eight thousand years. This has transformed AlUla into an open-air museum, where its historical sites reflect different eras and civilizations.

The first season of the Winter at Tantora Festival covered thirteen archaeological and cultural sites, including the Old Town at Musa Bin Nusayr Fortress, which dates back two thousand years. The festival also featured children's shows, traditional folk performances, rababa music, visual arts exhibitions, artistic sessions, international dining experiences, and events at Elephant Rock, which narrates the history of the region.

Winter at Tantora Festival gained global recognition by hosting renowned artists from around the world, attracting prominent figures in art, music, culture, and history. Set against the backdrop of AlUla desert, attendees learned about the history of Hegra and Dadan, which dates back three thousand years. Additionally, Desert X AlUla exhibition was the first contemporary art exhibition in the region, featuring artworks that harmonized with the surrounding rock formations.

The festival added global dimensions to this historic region and contributed to raising awareness about it, leading to the continuation of its events in its second season, Winter at Tantora 2019. It was held from December 19, 2019, to March 7, 2020, under the theme "A Journey Through Time in an Eternal Historic Site." The season featured performances by international artists on the Maraya stage, showcasing various artistic styles, including Enrique Iglesias and Lionel Richie. Omar Khairat and Yanni participated for the second time.

In the second edition of the festival, the International Caracalla Dance Theatre group presented its theatrical performance, which was inspired by the glories of AlUla and its history, entitled Jamil Buthaina. The festival also included a concert featuring Beethoven's music, as well as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup (Multaqa Al-Fursan), which is the second-largest endurance race in the world. Additionally, there was the Hot Air Balloon Festival, classic airplane flights, and classic car experiences.

As part of the expansion and enrichment of the festival, the Desert Polo Tournament was launched in that edition. It made history in Saudi Arabia as the first tournament held under the sponsorship of the Saudi Polo Federation. The tournament took place from January 16 to 18, 2020.

The success of the events and the broad public interest have contributed to the development and preparation of facilities in AlUla Governorate to accommodate visitors from around the world. The Royal Commission for AlUla has completed infrastructure development works for AlUla Airport, increasing its capacity fourfold to accommodate four hundred thousand passengers annually, up from one hundred thousand.

The third edition of the Winter at Tantora Festival commenced on December 21, 2021, and lasted for six weeks. It included various events encompassing Arab and international music, culture, equestrian activities, and culinary arts. Tantora festival in the Old Town lasted for only five days and focused on showcasing traditions and culture in AlUla Oasis.

The festival included light and sound shows, along with various roaming performances and events in the Old Town of AlUla from December 21 to 25. These activities reflected a legacy spanning thousands of years, showcasing the historical and cultural depth that stands as a testament to the evolution of AlUla's society.

The third edition featured the "Hegra Candlelit Classics" concert at the Hegra site, creating an atmosphere illuminated by hundreds of candles that lit up the Nabataean carvings, which date back more than two thousand years. The festival program also included the second edition of the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Championship, organized by the Saudi Polo Federation and the Royal Commission for AlUla. The tournament was held at the Equestrian Village field, featuring twelve players from four teams: Saudi Arabia, AlUla, Richard Mille, and Bentley.

The fourth edition of Winter at Tantora Festival was held from December 22, 2022, to January 21, 2023. It offered a variety of cultural and historical experiences, including cultural performances and interactive activities highlighting AlUla’s rich history. The festival also featured a live orchestra performance, a visual projection on the walls of the Old Town and its fortress, as well as the Taste of AlUla event, which hosted a selection of renowned international chefs.

The fifth edition of Winter at Tantora Festival was held from December 21, 2023, to January 27, 2024. It featured various events celebrating culture and the Year of Arabic Poetry, including AlUla in Arabic, AlUla Poetry Night, and The Poets' Parade. Additionally, the festival included the AlUla Citrus Festival, AlUla Trail Race, Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Championship, as well as theatrical and musical performances.

The sixth edition of Winter at Tantora Festival was held from December 19, 2024, to January 11, 2025. The festival featured various events, including artistic performances inspired by heritage, a collection of traditional handicrafts to explore Saudi culture, and Sanaam AlUla Night in celebration of the Year of the Camel. It also included musical performances and the In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta experience, offering visitors the chance to explore AlUla Old Town and the oasis through a route inspired by the journeys of the explorer Ibn Battuta.