Saudia Arabia is a house to many desert landscapes. Though previously these deserts were of no use as no activities happened there for the tourists, the Saudi Vision 2030 plan transformed it all. As part of the region’s policy to boost tourism in KSA, there are many projects underway to offer better opportunities for recreation, cultural exploration, dining, hospitality and travel for the tourists. Desert festivals are one of the prominent example of it. If you are visiting the region with your Umrah Package from USA or touring Saudia Arabia on a visit, work or family visa; here are some of the desert festival to discover and be a part of in 2024.
AlUla Arts Festival.
The AlUla Arts Festival is happening between February 8, 2024 to February 24, 2024. February is one of the ideal month for the Umrah as well. Umrah Package with flights can be availed to enjoy this event along with the religious duty of Umrah. You should choose the Umrah Package This festival solely focuses on transforming AlUla into a creativity hub with a lively atmosphere and over 50 exhibitions by Saudi and international artists.
Visitors can join guided street-art tours to explore AlUla’s artistic landscape and participate in various workshops and artist residencies. The festival also includes cinema screenings of local and global narratives, along with live performances showcasing traditional Saudi music and contemporary acts.
This festival celebrates AlUla’s rich cultural heritage while embracing modern artistic expressions.
Desert X AlUla 2024.
Desert X AlUla is the main highlight of the AlUla Arts Festival that will last from February 8, 2024 to March 23, 2024.
This Desert X AlUla 2024 edition’s theme is “In the Presence of Absence,” and it features 14 major installations across Wadi AlFann, AlManshiyah Plaza, and Harrat Viewpoint. The artworks by 20 international artists challenge the idea of the desert as an empty space, inviting visitors to explore unseen aspects of the landscape. Notable installations include; Faisal Samra’s ‘The Dot/The Line; (using local rock fragments) and Filwa Nazer’s ‘Preserving Shadows’ (a piece that plays with light and shadow).
The event expects over 100,000 visitors and offers curated tours, educational programs, and artist talks.
Wadi AlFann (also known as Valley of the Arts)
Wadi AlFann will officially open in 2026, but it will feature in the 2024 AlUla Arts Festival through a pre-opening program. This cultural destination will cover 65 square kilometres and house monumental land art installations by renowned global artists. In 2024, visitors can see Manal AlDowayan’s exhibition “Oasis of Stories,” which captures local narratives and community stories.
Winter at Tantora.
Winter at Tantora is another major desert event that will be happening in AlUla from December to March. Featuring a number of cultural activities, traditional musical performances, art installations, and Saudi displays; the major highlights of the festival include hot air ballooning, and guided heritage tours of ancient sites like the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hegra.
Tips for attending the desert festivals of Saudia Arabia in 2024.
- It’s better to plan ahead of time by prebooking your travel and accommodation in the region. If you want a seamless experience during the Desert Festivals of Saudia Arabia in 2024, make sure that you plan and book your entire trip well in advance of time. It will offer you affordable prices, better availability, flexible changing policies and a peaceful experience for you overall; minimizing any chance of travel delays, trip cancellation of booking unavailability.
- During your travel and stay in Saudia Arabia with Umrah Visa for Desert Festivals 2024, respect the local laws, culture and tradition. Know of the guidelines for visitors and don’t try to break them. Otherwise, legal prosecutions, hefty penalties or deportation form the kingdom with a lifetime ban can be your future.
- Dress modestly while in KSA. Avoid public displays of affection and maintain a respectful behaviour. Don’t try to quarrel or argue with anyone. Even if someone bothers you, either forgive and forget or get legal help by alerting the police or security personnel there.
- Have cultural exposure by being a part of various activities, eating Saudi delicacies, attending workshops and travelling. Make the most out of your trip for Desert Festivals in Saudia Arabia and only go to your hotel room for resting at night.
- Know of your health and physical constraints. Don’t overwork yourself and keep your necessary medicines along. This is because if you fall ill, it will take away all the essence of the trip.
That’s how you can discover the desert festivals of Saudia Arabia in 2024.
