AlUla, 29 Sha'ban 1447 AH (17 February 2026)

The fifth edition of the AlUla Arts Festival 2026 has closed after a month packed with quality art programs, cultural exchange and community engagement, confirming AlUla Governorate's standing as one of the world's leading destinations for the arts, in a living dialogue that unites nature, heritage and contemporary creativity.

During the festival, which ran from 16 January to 14 February 2026, the site-responsive works of the "Desert X AlUla" exhibition, the design prototypes of "AlUla Design Space" and the "Our Land" exhibition previewing the AlUla Museum of Contemporary Art delivered the largest edition the festival has yet seen.

The festival hosted more than 45,000 visitors and presented 12 exhibitions featuring more than 120 artworks and installations by more than 70 artists from 35 countries, shown in AlUla's valleys, streets, galleries and gardens. More than 470 students from 22 schools took part in educational experiences designed to bring young people closer to contemporary art.

Although the festival has officially closed, the "Desert X AlUla" exhibition and "Material Witness: Celebrating Design from Within" continue until 28 February, while "Our Land" runs until 15 April 2026.

Hamad Al Homaidan, General Manager of Arts and Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said the fifth edition reflected AlUla's past, present and future through ambitious artistic commissions, global partnerships and deep community engagement, affirming that the festival's programs pave the way for permanent cultural landmarks, from Wadi AlFann to the forthcoming AlUla Museum of Contemporary Art and the expansion of the AlJadidah Arts District.

"Desert X AlUla 2026" was a collaboration between Desert X and Arts AlUla under the title "Uncountable Nebula", drawing its vision from the poetry and ideas of Khalil Gibran and inviting the public to contemplate the relationship between nature and humanity through works responding to AlUla's terrain and its geological and cultural memory.

"Our Land", co-curated with the Centre Pompidou and supported by the French Agency for AlUla Development, offered a glimpse of the pre-opening program of the AlUla Museum of Contemporary Art, whose future home in the oasis has been entrusted to architect Lina Ghotmeh.

The AlJadidah Arts District and the AlUla oasis hosted varied cultural experiences including live music, open-air cinema, heritage trails and meetings with artisans, along with performance and dialogue programs supported by cultural partnerships including the British Council, celebrating local talent in music, design and the visual arts.

The AlUla Arts Festival is part of the "AlUla Moments" calendar, which offers a varied annual program of events in art, culture, heritage and nature, strengthening AlUla's presence on the global cultural scene.

At a Glance

  • More than 45,000 visitors
  • 120 artworks by 70 artists from 35 countries
  • Some exhibitions continue until April 2026
  • Educational programs reaching 470 students