The Winter at Tantora Festival is set to return to AlUla from Thursday, December 19 to Saturday, January 11, offering Saudi, regional and international visitors a magical fusion of history, culture, music and culinary delights that embody the spirit of this ancient city.
Named after the traditional sundial in AlUla Old Town, this flagship festival of the AlUla Moments calendar marks the start of the winter planting season and brings together a host of heritage-inspired events, captivating concerts, thrilling cultural activities, and gourmet experiences unique to this historic city.
Winter at Tantora will shine a spotlight on Saudi Arabia’s thriving music scene, featuring acclaimed Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme and the esteemed National Arab Orchestra, delivering a classical music experience like no other. The Macintosh show will reimagine the greatest hits of iconic Arabic artists, with performances by contemporary stars Ayedh, Aziz Maraka, Zeina Imad, and Daffy, under the baton of Maestro Ahmad Al Oud.
For melody lovers, the collaboration between celebrated Lebanese composer Marwan Khoury and famed Croatian cellist HAUSER will be a performance not to be missed—an extraordinary musical partnership set to captivate.
The Immersive Theatre Experience will also transform the cinema experience into a sensory delight, merging theatre and film in a way that both moviegoers and theatre aficionados will treasure.
Sanaam AlUla Night presents a unique celebration for the Year of the Camel, blending traditional music with the warmth of Saudi hospitality. Meanwhile, the “In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta – Discovery Tour” retraces the journeys of one of history’s greatest explorers, offering a rare perspective on AlUla’s role along the Incense Road.
In Tantora Old Town Celebrations, visitors will find festivities in full swing, with vibrant traditional performances and crafts, masterclasses, and storytelling illuminating the rich cultural heritage of AlUla. The highly anticipated Shorfat Tantora concerts return, transforming balconies into stages where local and regional orchestras fill the streets below with enchanting melodies.
Guests can also explore the AlUla Citrus Season, showcasing the area’s seasonal bounty and featuring fresh local citrus market, hand-made citrus products, competitions, and more. For a playful cultural experience, the Almanshiyah Carnival offers a festive atmosphere that brings out the inner child in everyone.
Families can enjoy the Future Ancient Makers Space, where hands-on activities make history come alive, highlighting the creativity of ancient civilisations in the heart of AlUla Old Town.
The culinary journey continues with the return of Ducasse in AlUla, the renowned oasis-to-table dining by world-famous Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse, and SASS’ AlUla, a Mediterranean fine-dining experience offering a taste of Monaco’s elegance with a Saudi twist.
Prepare to be enchanted by these experiences and many more during Winter at Tantora, set against the timeless beauty of AlUla.
Thu Dec 11-Sat Jan 11, 2025. Across AlUla, experiencealula.com.
