The fourth edition of the Festival opened with a remarkable weekend of immersive, history inspired experiences set to AlUla’s majestic backdrops
Much-anticipated Hegra After Dark launches on Thursday, 26 November to round out the full festival calendar for 2025
AlUla: The Ancient Kingdoms Festival returned this week, opening with a remarkable weekend of immersive, history-inspired experiences set to the majestic backdrop of AlUla’s mesmerising landscapes.
Under its 2025 theme, Journeys Through Time, the festival kicked off in stunning fashion on Thursday, 20 November, with a welcoming ceremony that set the tone for what’s to come this year.
That evening marked the return of the beloved Hegra Candlelit Classics, presented across two intimate, atmospheric concerts from Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hundreds of candles lit the monumental tombs of the ancient Nabataean city, as globally renowned Japanese composer and pianist YOSHIKI performed alongside Grammy Award-nominated trumpet virtuoso Ibrahim Maalouf.
The second Hegra Candlelit Classics concert followed on Friday night, with Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste and Lebanese vocalist Marilyne Naaman closing out a breathtaking pair of concerts set at the heart of the ancient Incense Road.
Audiences have also been treated to the award-winning Hegra Drone Show – Stories from the Sky, an epic exploration of history presented on and above the colossal tombs of the Nabataeans by light, sound, and hundreds of drones. Running for just the first two weeks of the festival, the production – which won Best Entertainment Production at the 2025 Saudi Event Awards – only runs until 29 November, so visitors will need to book their place quickly to witness this highlight of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival.
Two major visitor experiences also opened on 20 November and will continue well into 2026.
The Incense Road Experience – named Best Arts & Culture Event at the 2025 Saudi Event Awards – transports guests through centuries of trade, tradition, and cultural exchange along one of the region’s most important ancient routes.
Meanwhile, the brand-new Old Town Escape House Experience made a thrilling debut as its first ever guests set about puzzle-driven adventures inside a restored mud-brick house in AlUla’s Old Town which is believed to have once been an apothecary.
For those seeking discovery on foot, the Hegra Geology Hike and Hegra Children’s Tour are now up and running until 6 December and 5 December, respectively. They offer guided explorations through Hegra’s dramatic landscapes, ensuring visitors of all ages are able to discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s natural and human history.
Even more immersive storytelling awaits in the weeks ahead, with many of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival experiences running well into the winter season.
Secrets of the Scribe – Ikmah After Dark is one of the events extending beyond the festival, captivating audiences through atmospheric narratives rooted in the inscriptions of Jabal Ikmah, a UNESCO Memory of the World registered site.
The much-anticipated Hegra After Dark launches on Thursday, 26 November. Recognised as the Best Arts & Culture Event at the Middle East Event Awards, this signature night-time journey blends theatrical performance, culinary discovery, and hands-on interaction – all while revealing the world of the ancient Nabataeans in truly unforgettable fashion.
With an inspiring opening weekend now complete and a rich calendar of experiences still unfolding, the Ancient Kingdoms Festival invites visitors to choose their own journey of discovery, inspired by AlUla’s extraordinary, rich history. .
For more information on the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, and to purchase tickets for this year’s experiences, visit https://www.experiencealula.
