From sunrise balloon ascents over ancient desert landscapes to moonlit cinema beneath some of the clearest skies in the region, the AlUla Skies Festival is set to transform the heavens into a stage from 17 April to 26 April 2026.
Recognised as Saudi Arabia’s—and the Gulf’s—first officially certified International Dark Sky Park, AlUla offers a rare celestial canvas protected from light pollution. For adventurers, culture seekers and stargazers alike, the 2026 edition promises perspective as grand as its landscapes.
SKYRISE: Mass Morning Hot Air Balloon Flights
One of the festival’s most anticipated highlights, SKYRISE, will see 30 hot air balloons ascend together in a breathtaking coordinated display. Ten balloons will accommodate paying guests, who will be collected from 4- and 5-star hotels in AlUla and transported to the launch site before dawn.
The flight path offers panoramic views over the UNESCO-listed Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first World Heritage Site. From intricate Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone cliffs to sweeping desert valleys, the experience delivers unmatched photographic opportunities before guests are returned to their hotels.
Hot Air Balloon Glow Show
17 & 18 April | 24 & 25 April 2026
As daylight fades, the sky transforms into a luminous theatre. The Glow Shows combine music, acrobatics, projection mapping and choreographed light displays with up to 12 illuminated hot air balloons firing their burners in synchronised rhythm. The result is a dramatic spectacle of light, sound and fire set against AlUla’s iconic desert backdrops.
VOX Moonlight at Maraya
Cinema meets desert magic at VOX Moonlight Cinema, hosted at the world’s largest mirrored building, Maraya. Guests can enjoy the latest film releases under open skies, surrounded by panoramic desert views.
Classic VOX favourites—popcorn, sliders, soft drinks and slushes—are available, while those seeking an elevated culinary experience can dine at Maraya Social by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton.
Tethered Hot Air Balloon Experience
17–26 April 2026
For visitors seeking a shorter yet equally thrilling experience, tethered balloon rides at Al Manshiyah Plaza will lift guests up to 50 metres into the air, offering panoramic views of AlUla’s dramatic sandstone formations and oasis landscapes.
House of Constellations
17 April – 02 May 2026
Returning to AlUla Old Town, the House of Constellations blends astronomy with storytelling heritage. This immersive activation features:
- Interactive installations
- A 360° planetarium with specially narrated content
- Telescope observations from Old Town Fort
- Guided celestial storytelling sessions led by Rawis
Anchored in AlUla’s historic amphitheatre, the experience bridges science and culture under pristine night skies.
Festival Concert: Nancy Ajram Live at Thanaya
23 April 2026
Arabic pop icon Nancy Ajram will headline a major festival concert at Thanaya. With 11 studio albums, multiple chart-topping hits and over 4 billion YouTube views, Ajram is widely recognised as one of the most influential female artists in the Arab world. A three-time World Music Award winner, she has helped elevate Arabic pop to global audiences and continues to shape the region’s contemporary music landscape.
About AlUla
Located approximately 1,100 km from Riyadh in north-west Saudi Arabia, AlUla spans 22,561 km² of extraordinary natural and cultural heritage.
Its highlights include:
- Hegra – Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Dadan – Capital of the Dadan and Lihyan kingdoms
- Jabal Ikmah – Home to thousands of inscriptions and rock art carvings
- AlUla Old Town – A labyrinth of over 900 mudbrick homes dating back to the 12th century
- Hijaz Railway – A key chapter in regional history
With towering sandstone mountains, lush oasis valleys and archaeological treasures spanning millennia—including Nabataean and Roman eras—AlUla is fast becoming one of the Middle East’s most compelling cultural destinations.