Shorofat Tantora will once again be a key highlight of Winter at Tantora
Visitors will be treated to live musical performances from Incense Road balconies
Shorofat Tantora takes place 25-26 December 2025 and 1-2 January 2026
AlUla : This Winter at Tantora, the streets of AlJadidah Arts District will once again come alive in rhythm and resonance as Shorofat Tantora returns to transforming balconies, courtyards, and walkways into a living tapestry of sound, storytelling, and shared emotion.
A highlight of AlUla’s iconic winter festival, Shorofat Tantora invites visitors to pause, listen, and immerse themselves in an open-air musical experience unlike anywhere else in the world.
Across 25–26 December 2025 and 1–2 January 2026, live performances will fill the evening air with the unmistakable soundscape of AlUla, from traditional rhythms that echo centuries of heritage to contemporary melodies that reflect the region’s creative evolution.
With musicians performing from Incense Road balconies, each performance becomes both intimate and communal; moments shared between artists and audiences, strangers and friends, locals and visitors.
No tickets are required, and all ages are welcome, making Shorofat Tantora one of Winter at Tantora’s most accessible and cherished cultural celebrations.
This year’s edition will feature performances from leading Saudi choirs, bringing rich vocal harmony and contemporary interpretation to the historic setting of AlJadidah Arts District.
Among the highlights is Swipe Up Choir, one of the Kingdom’s most prominent contemporary choral groups. Founded in 2023, the ensemble brings together between 25 and 40 young performers and musicians, many of whom have collaborated with renowned Arab conductors and artists including Walid Fayed, Hani Farhat, Rabeh Sagr, Mohamed Abdo, and others.
Having performed in cities across Saudi Arabia including Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha, Swipe Up Choir will bring powerful collective vocals and dynamic arrangements to Shorofat Tantora on 25 and 26 December, adding another layer to the festival’s celebration of shared musical expression.
Also performing is Choralla, a Jeddah-based Saudi choir founded in 2022, known for combining classical Gulf and traditional Arabic music with a modern sensibility. Comprising talented young Saudi male and female vocalists accompanied by musicians, Choralla has performed at major cultural moments across the Kingdom and beyond, including Shorofat AlUla, Ithra in Dhahran, and international stages in Kuwait and India. Their performances at Shorofat Tantora will take place on 1 and 2 January 2026.
More than a concert, Shorofat Tantora is a moment of connection. Under lantern-lit pathways and the soft glow of winter skies, spectators wander through AlJadidah’s buzzing creative district and discover performers around every corner. Some pause to listen, others stroll slowly, letting music guide their path. Every moment becomes its own memory; spontaneous, unrehearsed, and beautifully shared.
The experience reflects AlUla’s poetic duality: ancient yet modern, rooted in tradition yet open to reinvention. It is a reminder that in AlUla, culture is both preserved and lived.
Running from 18 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, Winter at Tantora is AlUla’s flagship seasonal festival; a celebration of heritage, art, gastronomy, innovation, and human connection.
Named after the ancient sundial that signalled the agricultural seasons for the local community, the festival honours traditions that have guided generations, while welcoming new forms of cultural expression.
Festival moments range from world-class performances and visual installations to fine dining, desert adventures, artisan showcases, and meaningful cultural exchange to create an atmosphere of discovery that resonates with every guest.
Within this rich programme, Shorofat Tantora stands as one of the festival’s most personal expressions, and a reminder that music has always been part of AlUla’s story.
Event details:
- Dates: 25–26 December 2025 & 1–2 January 2026
- Time: 20:30–22:30
- Location: Incense Road Balconies, AlJadidah Arts District
- Price: Free, no booking required
- Age Policy: All ages welcome (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)
- Parking: Complimentary parking at Old Town North Parking
Visitors are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start time and wear comfortable walking shoes and a warm jacket, especially during cooler winter evenings.
To explore upcoming events and plan your AlUla experience, please visit experiencealula.com.
