
The AlUla Arts Festival will captivate audiences once again from 16 January to Wadi AlFann ‘2025, offering a blend of local, regional, and global art and design set against the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Saudi city.
A flagship event of the year-round AlUla Moments Calendar, the Festival will span key locations across the city, including the historic AlUla Old Town, the art-in-the-landscape destination Wadi AlFann, and the vibrant Gathering Square in AlJadidah Arts District, which will serve as the Festival’s focal point. Each location draws inspiration from AlUla’s rich heritage of creativity and natural beauty while transforming into a hub for artistic exploration and innovation.
Among the Festival’s most anticipated highlights is the world premiere of ‘Thikra’, a performance choreographed by the internationally renowned dance artist Akram Khan and directed by Saudi artist Manal AlDowayan commissioned by Wadi AlFann. The performance will take place against the breathtaking backdrop of Wadi AlFann, which translates to ‘Valley of the Arts’; a 65-square-kilometre global cultural destination for contemporary land art, where works by international artists are being permanently installed in the landscape of AlUla. Together these installations offer an opportunity to experience art in dialogue with nature, with works that respond to the unique landscapes of AlUla; taking inspiration from its dramatic topography, undulating vistas, geological structures and complex natural ecosystem.
The upcoming contemporary art museum in AlUla will showcase an ongoing commission titled ‘Bayt Al Hams’ featuring Tarek Atoui. This initiative will host a groundbreaking concert performance and will provide daily opportunities for visitors to engage with his work and participate in it.
Meanwhile, Wadi AlFann presents the James Turrell exhibition, showcasing the iconic works of the light and space artist. At ‘Design Space AlUla: Madrasat Addeera Exhibition’, Design Space will present works created within Madrasat Addeera, emphasizing the intersection of tradition and modernity that defines AlUla’s artistic identity.
‘Neuma The Forgotten Ceremony’ will comprise an art installation and exhibition by Saudi artist Sarah Brahim and French artist Ugo Schiavi that embodies the identity of the upcoming Saudi-French institution, Villa Hegra, while the ‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition from Athr Gallery features works by Daniah Alsaleh and Susanne Kriemann.
Presented by Arts AlUla in collaboration with Khawla Art and Culture, AlKhatt will celebrate the legacy of Arabic calligraphy through outdoor installations, exhibitions, and a modern concept store. Highlights include an installation by Her Highness Sheikha Khawla bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, and Bayt AlKhatt, a historic house reimagined as a store showcasing abayas, designer furniture, and jewellery inspired by calligraphy. ‘AlKhatt Gallery’ features a solo showcase by Lebanese artist Ghaleb Hawila, and a collective showcase featuring a diverse array of Arabic calligraphy masterpieces, including works by Wissam Shawkat, Abdallah Akkar.
Complementing the exhibitions is a dynamic public programme designed to inspire and engage budding creatives and seasoned art enthusiasts alike: the AlUla Music Hub will brighten up AlJadidah and Old Town with diverse live performances; Cinema AlJadidah delights film enthusiasts with open-air screenings; and Madrasat Addeera hosts year-round workshops celebrating AlUla’s artistic traditions.
Over the course of the Festival, AlUla will continue its transformation into a global cultural destination where creativity flourishes amidst an ancient legacy spanning over 7,000 years of continuous human civilisation.