Winter at Tantora Festival is an annual cultural celebration in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. It blends history, music, art and heritage across ancient sites, attracting visitors from around the world.
- Festival Name: Winter at Tantora
- Location: AlUla Governorate
- Organize By: Royal Commission for AlUla
- First Edition: December 19, 2018
As winter arrives, AlUla transforms into something truly special. Winter at Tantora Festival is not just an event. It is journey through time.
Named after Al-Tantora, the ancient sundial in AlUla Old Town. The festival reflects how communities once gathered to mark the seasons and planting cycles. Today this same spirit brings people together from across the world.
The Historical Depth of Winter at Tantora Festival
Winter at Tantora is deeply rooted in history. It takes place in AlUla, a region that has stood at the crossroads of civilizations for thousands of years.
The first edition of festival launch on December 19, 2018. From the beginning, it focused on reviving heritage through modern experiences.
One of most iconic moments was the opening of Maraya Concert Hall, a stunning mirrored structure that blends into the desert landscape. Over seven weeks, it hosted performances by eight internationally renowned artists.
AlUla itself is an open air museum. Rock carvings, ancient inscriptions and agricultural traces date back nearly eight thousand years. This living history makes Winter at Tantora unlike any other festival.
AlUla: An Open-Air Museum
AlUla is globally recognize for its archaeological importance. Its valleys, rock formations and oases tell stories of ancient kingdoms and trade routes.
Key historical sites include:
- Hegra
- Dadan
- AlUla Old Town
These locations provide the perfect setting for a festival that blends past and present.
Events of Winter at Tantora Festival
The first season covered thirteen archaeological and cultural sites.
Visitors enjoyed:
- Traditional folk performances
- Rababa music
- Children’s cultural shows
- Visual arts exhibitions
- Artistic workshops
- International dining experiences
Events at Elephant Rock narrated the story of the land through light, sound and performance.
International Recognition of the Festival
Winter at Tantora quickly gained global attention. International artists, historians and cultural figures attended and performed in AlUla’s desert setting.
The Desert X AlUla exhibition became the first contemporary art showcase in region, with installations designed to harmonize with natural rock formations.
This global exposure helped establish AlUla as a world class cultural destination.
Winter at Tantora 2019: A Journey Through Time
The second season ran from December 19, 2019 to March 7, 2020, under the theme A Journey Through Time in an Eternal Historic Site.
Highlights included:
- Performances by Enrique Iglesias and Lionel Richie
- Return concerts by Omar Khairat and Yanni
- Beethoven orchestral performance
- Theatrical show Jamil Buthaina by Caracalla Dance Theatre
The season also hosted:
- Hot air balloon festival
- Classic aircraft flights
- Classic car experiences
Sports and Cultural Expansion
A major milestone was the Desert Polo Tournament, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, sponsored by the Saudi Polo Federation.
This success encouraged further infrastructure development, including the expansion of AlUla International Airport, increasing capacity to Approx. 400,000 passengers annually.
The Third Season of Winter at Tantora
The third edition began on December 21, 2021 lasting six weeks.
It featured:
- Arab and international music
- Cultural storytelling
- Equestrian activities
- Culinary arts
A special highlight was Hegra Candlelit Classics, where hundreds of candles illuminated Nabataean tombs during live classical music.
The Fourth Season: 2022–2023
Held from December 22, 2022 to January 21, 2023, the fourth season focused on immersive cultural experiences.
It included:
- Live orchestral performances
- Visual projections on Old Town walls
- Taste of AlUla featuring international chefs
The Fifth Season: 2023–2024
The fifth edition celebrated the Year of Arabic Poetry.
Key events included:
- AlUla Poetry Night
- The Poets’ Parade
- AlUla Citrus Festival
- AlUla Trail Race
- Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Championship
The season blended language, literature and landscape beautifully.
The Sixth Season: 2024–2025
The sixth edition ran from December 19, 2024 to January 11, 2025.
It focused on heritage and storytelling, featuring:
- Traditional handicrafts
- Sanaam AlUla Night for the Year of the Camel
- Musical performances
- In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta experience
This journey allowed visitors to explore AlUla Old Town and oasis inspired by the travels of Ibn Battuta.
Festival Themes and Experiences
Winter at Tantora revolves around:
- Cultural heritage
- Historical immersion
- Artistic expression
- Culinary exploration
Each experience is carefully curated to connect visitors with AlUla’s soul.
Explore About the AlUla History: AlUla Saudi Arabia
Conclusion
Winter at Tantora Festival is more than a seasonal event. It is cultural revival that brings AlUla’s ancient past into the present.
Through music, art, heritage and storytelling, the festival has positioned AlUla as one of the world’s most remarkable cultural destinations.
If you love history, culture and unforgettable experiences, Winter at Tantora is something you should witness at least once.
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