Al Atawlah Heritage Festival 2026 Celebrates Al Baha's Cultural Heritage at Rabee Quraysh Market
The Al Atawlah Heritage Festival 2026 has opened at Rabee Quraysh Market in Al Qura Governorate in the Al Baha region, running from 29 July to 12 August 2026 as part of the Al Baha Summer 2026 program, with the participation of government and community bodies and non-profit organizations. The 15-day festival offers a varied package of heritage and cultural activities that spotlight the region's folk heritage and provide an experience combining entertainment and knowledge.
The festival aims to preserve the cultural heritage of the Al Baha region and strengthen its presence as one of the Kingdom's tourism and cultural assets, through events that present the customs, traditions, handicrafts and folk arts for which the region has been known across generations.
A Heritage Experience That Takes Visitors Back in Time
The festival takes visitors on a journey into the details of old life in the Al Baha region through corners that recreate heritage settings and display traditional household tools, folk dress and historical items, along with the old majlis sitting rooms that reflect the way of life in the past.
Visitors can also watch artisans practicing their traditional trades, such as stone building, handmade tools and old methods of farming and harvesting, in an interactive experience that introduces new generations to local heritage.
Productive Families and Handicrafts
The festival sets aside wide space for productive families to present local products, including traditional food, sweets, handicrafts and heritage clothing, letting visitors discover and buy products that reflect the identity of the Al Baha region.
This participation supports artisans and productive families, stimulates the local economy, and preserves traditional industries and encourages their sustainability.
Folk Performances and Cultural Evenings
The festival's main stage hosts folk art performances expressing the heritage of the Al Baha region, along with poetry evenings, cultural competitions and entertainment programs for the whole family.
These events create a festive atmosphere reflecting the authenticity of the cultural heritage and give visitors a chance to engage with the traditional arts passed down by the region's people.
The festival includes the heritage village museum, which holds a collection of historical tools and items used in daily life in the past, along with exhibits documenting the region's history and development over the decades.
The museum offers a knowledge experience that enriches visitors with information about social and economic life in Al Baha and highlights the importance of preserving the national heritage.
The festival also includes a fine arts corner presenting the work of artists inspired by the mountain environment, the built heritage and the social customs of the Al Baha region, adding an artistic dimension that reflects the beauty of local heritage.
Objectives of the Al Atawlah Heritage Festival 2026
The festival aims to achieve a set of objectives, most notably:
- Preserving the cultural heritage of the Al Baha region.
- Supporting artisans and productive families and strengthening the presence of their products.
- Introducing visitors to old customs, traditions and trades.
- Encouraging cultural and heritage tourism in the region.
- Passing folk heritage on to new generations through interactive experiences.
- Highlighting the cultural identity of the Al Baha region within the Saudi Summer events.
