📍 AlUla — Jumada I 5, 1447 AH (October 27, 2025)

AlUla governorate is preparing to welcome visitors for an exceptional cultural and historical experience with the return of the "Ancient Kingdoms Festival 2025," one of the standout festivals on this year's AlUla Moments calendar, held from November 20 to December 6, 2025, taking visitors on an enchanting journey through thousands of years of the civilizations that flourished in northwest Arabia.

This year's festival carries the theme "A Journey Through Time," as AlUla transforms into a living museum pulsing with life, blending art with heritage and history with imagination, retelling the stories of ancient civilizations through an interactive approach that combines artistic performances, visual creativity and heritage experiences echoing the spirit of the place.

By evoking the ancient trade routes that made AlUla a meeting point on the historic incense route, the festival redraws the features of the eras that shaped this land's identity, through activities that recreate historic markets, traditional cuisine and handicrafts, letting visitors live a complete sensory experience that connects the past with the present.

The festival relies on the participation of AlUla's residents — craftspeople, storytellers and historians — who use their skills and knowledge to embody the authentic identity of the place, narrating ancient stories and creating artistic pieces that reflect the region's rich Hejazi and Arab heritage.

Among this year's festival highlights, the award-winning "Hegra Evening" experience returns, taking visitors on an immersive journey beneath AlUla's glittering stars through February 14, 2026, at the Hegra site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The "Theater of Life" experience also offers an immersive artistic performance blending light, sound, scent and taste to recreate the beauty of Nabataean civilization in a complete artistic scene.

From November 20 to 29, AlUla's skies will light up with the "Tales From the Sky" drone show, turning archaeological sites into illuminated canvases narrating the ancient legends of Hegra in a stunning visual style, while the "Candlelit Classical Concerts" series returns to add a musical charm that combines art and heritage in an unforgettable atmosphere.

The festival also offers unique exploration experiences for adventure lovers, including the "Geological Trail Walk in Hegra," which takes visitors on a journey through millions of years of Earth's history, and the "Children's Tour of Hegra," offering an interactive educational experience for young explorers. Activities also include exploring Jabal Ikmah, listed on UNESCO's "Memory of the World" register, through night tours highlighting ancient inscriptions and historical symbols.

In the Old Town, the "Echoes From the Past – Escape House" activity returns, blending adventure with heritage storytelling, while the "Incense Road" experience, winner of the Best Arts and Culture Category at the Saudi Events Awards, offers a sensory journey through time that includes incense-making workshops and an authentic scent experience.

The "Ancient Kingdoms Festival 2025" embodies AlUla's commitment to continuing its role as a global center for heritage and culture, through events that combine authenticity with innovation, redefining the cultural tourism experience in the Kingdom in line with Saudi Vision 2030's goal of making the Kingdom a global destination for sustainable tourism and unique cultural experiences.

🔗 For bookings and event details, visit the official website: experiencealula.com