AlUla’s Winter At Tantora Festival Returns With Culture, Music And Desert Magic

If you’ve ever spent a winter night in AlUla, that crisp air, those glowing canyons, the kind of stillness that feels almost unreal, then you already know why people count down to this festival every year. And now it’s official: Winter at Tantora is back from December 18 to January 10, bringing three weeks of music, food, heritage and memories you’ll be bragging about long after the new year rolls in.

Winter at Tantora, AlUla’s Most Magical Season, Returns

 

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This year’s theme, Winter Brings Us Together, hits close to home as mentioned on the Experience AlUla website. It’s warm, a little nostalgic, and exactly the kind of energy AlUla thrives on. For three weeks, the ancient oasis turns into a living storybook, part concert hall, part open-air museum, part foodie paradise. It’s the kind of place where strangers become friends, and friends become the people you drag along to the next show.

A Walk Through Time

If you’re curious about the roots of the festival, start with Midday at Tantora, a guided look at the historic sundial that once kept time for AlUla’s farming communities. It’s simple but brilliant, and it sets the tone for everything that follows.

Then head to Tantora Square Community Celebrations, where you’ll catch rituals marking the start of the winter planting season. There’s storytelling, music, and that unmistakable sense of heritage coming alive.

Once evening hits, make your way to Old Town Nights. Picture this: a dinner-and-show setup at AlUla Fort, weaving together heritage performances, local tales, and course after course of food you’ll happily forget your calorie goals for. Right around the corner, the Old Town Culinary Voyage digs deeper into flavours rooted in centuries of tradition, while the Old Town Wall Art Walk adds a burst of colour with murals celebrating the Year of Handicraft.

Music That Stays With You

Winter at Tantora always brings something special to the stage, and this year raises the bar. Things kick off with Shorfat Tantora, where musicians perform from the rooftops of AlJadidah. It’s charming, it’s dramatic, and it turns the Incense Road into a soundtrack you’ll want to bottle.

Then there’s the Thanaya Concert Series, set among towering canyons that make even the quiet moments feel cinematic. Ahlam takes the stage on December 26, ready to deliver that unmistakable Khaleeji power she’s loved for. The New Year’s Eve double bill is another major highlight: Assala Nasri and Adam bringing two powerhouse voices to one unforgettable night.

And of course, Maraya continues to shine with shows by Wael Kfoury on December 19 and Elissa on January 9.

Also Read: After A Year-Long Closure, AlUla’s Daimumah Reopens With New Culture, Cuisine & Community

Food, Fun And That AlUla Spark

If food is your love language, you’re in luck. Prima Classe brings vintage Italian travel glamour to the desert, while Ducasse in AlUla offers refined dishes blending French elegance with local ingredients.

Families won’t be left out either. AlManshiyah Carnival promises energy, markets, dancing, and the kind of performances that make even adults feel like kids again. Outdoor adventures round out the experience, giving visitors a chance to soak in AlUla’s landscapes between concerts and dinners. Winter at Tantora isn’t just a festival, it’s the season when AlUla feels most alive.

Cover Image Courtesy: Experience AlUla/Website