If there is one time people really start planning trips to AlUla, it is usually when the weather cools down a little. But this year, November is shaping up to be extra packed because AlUla Skies Festival is officially returning for 10 days of balloons, music, stargazing and desert shows.
AlUla Skies Festival Is Back This November And The Desert Nights Look Busy Again
The festival will run from November 6th to 15th, and honestly, it sounds like one of those events where people will spend half the time looking up at the sky and the other half trying to take photos of it.
For many visitors, the big attraction is still the hot air balloons. And this year, they are going all out again.
Sunrise Balloon Flights Above Ancient Sites
One of the main experiences is called AlUla Skyrise. Up to 30 hot air balloons are expected to lift off together over Hegra during sunrise. That alone is probably enough to fill up camera rolls in one morning.
Hegra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, already looks dramatic from the ground. Seeing it from above at sunrise makes it a completely different vibe.
But spaces are expected to be limited, so people hoping to book the ride may need to move fast once tickets go live.
Also, the tethered balloon experience is set to return for families or people who are not exactly ready to float freely across the desert sky. The balloon rises around 50 metres above AlManshiyah Plaza, giving visitors wide views without the full flight experience.
Nights In AlUla Will Get Loud, Bright, and Very Busy
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The Hot Air Balloon Glow Show will light up the desert with illuminated balloons, fire effects, music and aerial performances post sunset. From the sound of it, the entire area turns into an outdoor night show rather than just a balloon event.
AlUla’s Old Town Amphitheatre will become the House of Constellations, where visitors can walk through astronomy displays, watch planetarium experiences and join guided storytelling sessions about the stars above them.
Later, guides at the Old Town Fort will point out planets and constellations in the night sky. Which makes sense because AlUla is recognised as the Gulf’s first certified Dark Sky Reserve, meaning the skies there stay unusually clear.
Also Read: Come April, AlUla Skies Festival To Return With Hot Air Balloons And Night Sky Shows
Nancy Ajram Joins The Festival Line-Up
Music is also part of the plan this year. Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram is set to perform an open-air concert during the festival, surrounded by AlUla’s desert scenery.
Ticket details still have not been announced yet.
Cover Image Courtesy: AlUla Skies Festival/Website
FAQs
Who is performing at the festival?
Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram is expected to perform live during the event.
When is AlUla Skies Festival happening?
The festival will run from November 6 until November 15, 2026.
What is the main attraction at the festival?
The hot air balloon experiences are a huge draw, especially the sunrise flights over Hegra.