AL-ULA — This winter, the northern city of Al-Ula will play host to a special season of events and festivities.

The Winter at Tantora festival will be the first event of its kind to be held in the breath-taking UNESCO World Heritage site. Designed to showcase the wonders of Al-Ula to the rest of the world, the festival announces the reawakening of this magical region as Saudi Arabia’s first tourist destination.

Described as the archeological jewel of the Kingdom, Al-Ula is home to numerous archeological sites and is a meeting point of many civilizations. Winter at Tantora Festival reflects this heritage and showcases the historical depth of the region to the world, which has been witness to the development of Al-Ula society on many different levels including agriculture, astronomy and construction.

During the festival, feature weekends will include the Tantora Festival, The Wonder of Winter – A Celebration of Light and Life from Dec. 20-27, the Hot Air Balloon Festival from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9, 2019, and the Fursan Festival, which will play host to the prestigious Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup on Feb. 2.

Stars under the stars

Beginning on Dec. 21, there will be a series of eight weekend concerts from some of the world’s greatest musicians. Under the dazzling night skies of Al-Ula, one can experience the transcendent power of virtuoso talents such as Mohamed Abdo (Dec. 21), Majida El Roumi (Dec. 28), Renaud Capuçon (Jan. 4), Omar Khairat (Jan. 11), Lang Lang (Jan. 18), Um Kulthum (Jan. 25), Andrea Bocelli (Feb. 1) and Yanni (Feb. 8).

Each will perform in a stunning, purpose-built concert hall that showcases the natural majesty of Al-Ula’s scenery, thus bringing together the beauty of music and the beauty of nature in a way that has not been seen before. To add to the already memorable event, on the sixth weekend, Egyptian legend Um Kulthum will give her world-first “performance”, via a hologram show.

The reception area inside the halls will have visual shows of classical artworks by world-known painter Van Gogh.

With just 500 tickets available to each concert, guests wishing to witness this unique event can either book a day package or a full weekend package, both of which will allow them to be part of Al-Ula’s re-emergence on the world stage.

Authentic experiences

Winter at Tantora is also a local festival where Al-Ula’s proud residents will welcome visitors to discover the wonders of their region and culture.

With a name inspired by a sundial located in Al-Ula’s old town, used by the local population for years, as both a mode of telling time and a marker of the changing of the seasons, Winter at Tantora is a celebration of life, culture, heritage and beauty.

Guests of the Winter at Tantora Festival can take part in an exclusive visit to the archeological and heritage sites that are closed for renovations and will be open solely to the select group of Winter at Tantora ticket holders.

Tantora Festival

Celebrating the start of winter, Tantora Festival is a seven-day celebration inspired by Al-Ula’s tradition of marking the beginning of the harvest season.

Promising to be a feast for the senses, visitors will be able to experience the authentic essence of Al-Ula, from shopping in a traditional souk, encountering art and performance theatre through to enjoying local delicacies.

Hot Air Balloon Festival

The skies of Al-Ula will be brought to life with a Hot Air Balloon Festival from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9. Set to enthrall children and adults alike, the spectacular event is a must-see for all. An array of brightly colored and patterned beautiful balloons will take to the skies against the enchanting backdrop of Al-Ula.

The Endurance Cup

Held for the first time in Al-Ula, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup will take place on Feb. 2 in partnership with the Saudi Equestrian Federation and the Royal Commission for Al-Ula.

The endurance race will see the participation of 80 riders and have one of the largest prize pots for endurance races in the region.

Places for the festival are limited, but tickets can be bought in advance by visiting www.winterattantora.com.