The AlUla events calendar for 2026–27 runs from the Wellness Festival in late October to the Arts Festival, which ends in early February. Winter at Tantora, the flagship winter festival, is on from 17 December 2026 to 9 January 2027. Below is every festival date confirmed so far on the official Experience AlUla site, checked on 9 October 2026, with what each event is and how to plan around it. Events without confirmed dates are listed separately at the end. We do not guess dates.
Quick answer: the busiest stretch is mid-November to early February. If you can only pick one window, go in the second half of November for Ancient Kingdoms and the cooler weather, or from 17 December to 9 January for Winter at Tantora.
AlUla events calendar 2026–27 at a glance
| Event | 2026–27 dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| AlUla Wellness Festival | 23–31 October 2026 | Across AlUla |
| Hegra Geology Hike (weekly) | Saturdays, 24 October – 12 December 2026 | Hegra Visitor Centre |
| AlUla Skies Festival | 6–15 November 2026 | Across AlUla |
| Ancient Kingdoms Festival | 26 November – 12 December 2026 | Across AlUla |
| Winter at Tantora | 17 December 2026 – 9 January 2027 | Old Town and across AlUla |
| Ultra Gobi AlUla | 13–20 January 2027 | Across AlUla |
| AlUla Arts Festival | 15 January – 6 February 2027 | Across AlUla |
AlUla Wellness Festival: 23–31 October 2026
The season opens with the AlUla Wellness Festival, nine days of wellness experiences across AlUla. It falls at the start of the cooler months, when days are still warm, so it suits travellers who want quieter sites before the November rush. Check the programme on the official festival page.
AlUla Skies Festival: 6–15 November 2026
Last season the Skies Festival was held in April. For 2026 it moves to November. The official page lists these experiences:
| Experience | Dates | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlUla Skyrise | 6–15 November | 3 hours | SAR 990 per person |
| Tethered hot air balloon (Al Manshiyah Plaza) | 6–15 November | 20 minutes | SAR 100 per person |
| Hot Air Balloon Glow Show | 6–7 and 13–14 November | 1 hour | SAR 30 per person |
| Stargazing at AlUla Fort | 6–7 and 13–14 November | 1 hour | Free |
| Sunset Stillness: meditation & sound | 13–14 November | 1 hour 15 minutes | SAR 50 per person |
| Leonid Meteor Shower at Jabal Ikmah | 15 November | 4 hours | Free |
The Saudi Press Agency’s announcement on 29 September 2026 says the glow shows are at Hegra on 6–7 November and at Elephant Rock on 13–14 November. It also lists more stargazing nights at AlUla Fort than the festival page does (6, 7, 10–12 and 13–15 November, 19:00–23:00). If stargazing is your reason to go, confirm the night on the booking page. For the full-height sunrise flights outside the festival, see our hot air balloon guide, and for dark-sky tips, Stargazing in AlUla.
Ancient Kingdoms Festival: 26 November – 12 December 2026
The Ancient Kingdoms Festival focuses on AlUla’s archaeology: the Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms, the Nabataeans of Hegra, and the inscriptions of Jabal Ikmah. If history is your main interest, this is the best window of the season, with comfortable weather and before the holiday crowds. Pair it with the Hegra tours and the Dadan & Jabal Ikmah tour. The official page has the programme.
Winter at Tantora: 17 December 2026 – 9 January 2027
Winter at Tantora is AlUla’s best-known festival and runs over Christmas and New Year, the peak weeks for international visitors. Last season’s edition ran from 18 December 2025 to 10 January 2026. Expect evenings in Old Town, concerts, and the busiest hotels of the year, so book rooms first. Our Winter at Tantora guide explains what happens during the festival, and the official page will carry the 2026–27 line-up.
Ultra Gobi AlUla: 13–20 January 2027
Ultra Gobi AlUla is an ultra-distance race across the AlUla desert. Entry is handled through the organiser’s own site (ultragobiseries.com), not through Experience AlUla. Even if you are not running, it is worth knowing about, because it adds to demand for rooms in mid-January.
AlUla Arts Festival: 15 January – 6 February 2027
The AlUla Arts Festival closes the main season with three weeks of exhibitions and installations. Some third-party listings show a later end date. The official page says 6 February 2027, so plan around that. For art you can see any time, read our guide to Wadi AlFann.
Not yet announced for 2026–27
As of 9 October 2026 we could not find official 2026–27 dates for these events. We will add them when they are published:
- Desert X AlUla — the official page still shows the 2026 edition (16 January – 28 February 2026). No 2027 edition has been announced.
- AlUla Camel Cup — no current official dates.
- AlUla trail race and the AlUla Tour cycling race — no official 2027 dates yet.
Planning a trip around AlUla events
- Book rooms before tickets. AlUla has limited hotel capacity, and festival weeks fill first. Compare areas in Where to Stay in AlUla.
- Book flights early for December. Winter at Tantora overlaps with the holidays. See How to Get to AlUla.
- Do not skip the core tours. Festivals are extra. Hegra still needs a booked tour; our AlUla tours guide lists every option and price.
- Check the weather by month. November to February is the comfortable window. Details in Best Time to Visit AlUla.
Frequently asked questions
When is Winter at Tantora 2026?
Winter at Tantora 2026–27 runs from 17 December 2026 to 9 January 2027, according to the official Experience AlUla page.
When is the AlUla Skies Festival 2026?
6 to 15 November 2026. It includes tethered balloon rides from SAR 100, balloon glow shows from SAR 30, and free stargazing and a Leonid meteor shower night at Jabal Ikmah on 15 November.
When is the AlUla Arts Festival 2027?
15 January to 6 February 2027, according to the official festival page.
What is the best month to visit AlUla for events?
November has the Skies Festival and the start of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival with cooler weather and fewer crowds than the holidays. Late December to early January has Winter at Tantora, but it is the busiest and most expensive time.