Alula Arts Festival 2025 Announces Line-Up Of Exhibitions Featuring Renowned Saudi And International Artists, Public Art Programmes, World-Premiere Performance And More

The AlUla Arts Festival will make its grand return from 16 January to 22 February 2025, with a vibrant programme of performances, exhibitions and activities that highlight the best of local, regional, and global art. The annual festival, part of the AlUla Moments Calendar, is a must-visit event on the global arts calendar, offering an immersive experience for arts and culture enthusiasts and a platform to connect with the AlUla’s past and future creative vision.

At the heart of the festival is the Gathering Square in AlJadidah Arts District, the epicentre of creativity that will radiate out to key locations across AlUla. The Square will be the central programming space that features a diverse public programme that will include regular workshops, classes and talks for adults and families.

Nora Aldabal, Executive Director of Arts & Creative Industries at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “We are proud to build on our legacy as a global hub for art and culture with the return of the AlUla Arts Festival. This year’s programme reinforces AlUla as a destination where artists and creatives thrive, and where ancient handicrafts, contemporary art practices, and breathtaking art-in-the-landscape experiences converge in harmony.

“The world premiere of ‘Thikra’, an epic performance commissioned by Wadi AlFann, reflects our vision to share collective memories from AlUla to the world and invest in the creative innovation emerging from the region. Aligned with our vision to solidify AlUla’s place as a global cultural centre, we remain dedicated to fostering artistic dialogue, nurturing a creative ecosystem of Saudi and global talent, and celebrating the unique heritage and pioneering spirit that define our city.”

This year’s Festival promises to breathe new life into AlUla’s established role as a cultural heartland, weaving together the artistry of past, present, and future. Here are some of the activities that visitors can look forward to:

Wadi AlFann Presents Thikra: Night of Remembering: A key highlight of this year’s Festival is the world premiere of a site-specific commissioned performance ‘Thikra: Night of Remembering’, created by internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning choreographer Akram Khan and Wadi AlFann artist Manal AlDowayan, who represented Saudi Arabia at the 60th International Venice Biennale.

The evocative performance and its dancers will embody the concepts of forgetting, collective learning and healing, exploring the idea that “without a past, there is no future.” The performance will feature 14 world-class international dancers, an original music score by award-winning composer Aditya Prakash and uniquely designed costumes and set by Manal AlDowayan.

The performance embodies AlUla’s commitment to engaging local audiences through involving our communities in shaping its design, music, and movement.

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 Thikra performance will be held on 25, 26 and 27 January. Following its world premiere in AlUla, the performance will be adapted to an indoor version for theatres, bringing AlUla culture, heritage and artistry to wider audiences worldwide.

Bayt Al Hams (The Whispering House), conceived by the contemporary artist and performer Tarek Atoui, will be hosting a groundbreaking public concert performance on the 16th of January. This event will showcase his latest work, which is part of his ongoing collaboration with the contemporary art museum in AlUla. During the festival, this space will be dedicated to auditory and sound practices, emphasizing education, improvisation, experimentation, and the production of Tarek’s new works. It will serve as a platform for hosting local, national, and international collaborators.

Ayman Zedani (29 January):  Part of his long-term artist residency in AlUla and contemporary art museum in AlUla commission, artist and film-maker Ayman Zedani will be presenting a lecture performance in Cinema AlJadidah, introducing the public to his new research and science-fiction film commission for the contemporary art museum in AlUla.

Wadi AlFann Presents James Turrell (16 January to 19 April): An exhibition surveying the work of pioneering light and space artist James Turrell. Highlights include renders, plans, and a constellation map for the artist’s upcoming site-specific commission in Wadi AlFann. Also on view, will be a Cross Corner projection and a Glasswork from the Royal Commission for AlUla’s contemporary art collection.

James Turrell is one of the first five artists creating new, large-scale, site-specific commissions for Wadi AlFann, alongside Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, and Ahmed Mater.

Design Space AlUla: Madrasat Addeera Exhibition (16 January to 19 April): Design space AlUla returns for its second edition, uniting two of AlUla’s creative hubs to spotlight the region’s cultural heritage and innovative design. For the first time, Design Space will present works created within Madrasat Addeera, emphasizing the intersection of tradition and modernity that defines AlUla’s artistic identity. The exhibition offers a multi-sensory experience that showcases AlUla’s unique blend of natural beauty and craftsmanship. It invites visitors to explore textures, scents, sounds, and visuals that tell the story of Madrasat Addeera’s transformation from a historic girls’ school into a thriving arts and design center.

AlKhatt Calligraphy (16 January to 22 February): Presented by Arts AlUla in collaboration with Khawla Art and Culture, this activation celebrates and elevates the rich legacy of Arabic calligraphy. The activation unfolds in three segments, each weaving Arabic calligraphy into its essence.

• AlKhatt in Tantora: This section features an installation by Her Highness Sheikha Khawla bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, inspired by her work Al Hayat (Life).
• AlKhatt Gallery: This segment showcases a solo exhibition by Lebanese artist Ghaleb Hawila; and a collective exhibition featuring a diverse array of Arabic calligraphy masterpieces, including works by Wissam Shawkat, Abdallah Akkar, and typography by Ibrahim Zaki, among others.
• Bayt AlKhatt: The aspect of the activation is the concept store that invites visitors to explore everyday objects adorned with Arabic calligraphy. Adding to the allure is a historic house transformed into an indoor gallery featuring exquisite abayas by Hanayen, designer furniture by Sandra Haber Wehbe, and jewellery co-designed by Sandra and Azza Al Qubaisi.

Neuma: The Forgotten Ceremony art installation and exhibition (12 December to 27 February): Saudi artist Sarah Brahim and French artist Ugo Schiavi present Neuma: The Forgotten Ceremony, the first collaborative artwork embodying the identity of Villa Hegra – the Saudi-French institution set to open in central AlUla. The project features an indoor exhibition at Dar Tantora and an outdoor installation at Wadi Al Naam, including a minimalist glass temple for reflection. The exhibition showcases blown glass sculptures inspired by local stones and a film of their research process.

Echoes of Time (16 January to 19 April):  Athr Gallery presents ‘Echoes of Time’ by Daniah Alsaleh and Susanne Kriemann, curated by Salma Al Khalidi. The exhibition celebrates the German Archaeological Institute’s (DAI) 20th year of excavations in Saudi Arabia through a collaboration that bridges the ancient and the contemporary, exploring how both ordinary and extraordinary discoveries shape our understanding. Set against the backdrop of the archaeological sites of Tayma and AlUla, ‘Echoes of Time’ invites viewers to rethink the desert landscape, not merely as a relic but as a realm where history and the present intersect in a myriad of ways.

AlUla Artist Residencies Open Studios (25 to 29 January) Beyond AlUla Arts Festival’s major exhibitions, there exists a wealth of engaging activities that immerse visitors in the creative spirit of AlUla. The AlUla Artist Residencies Open Studios invites guests to experience the work of six Saudi and international artists that are part of the AlUla Artist Residency programme, gaining unique insights into their creative processes.

AlUla Music Hub: The festival transcends visual arts to include music, film, and dynamic cultural programming. The AlUla Music Hub comes alive with live performances in AlJadidah and Old Town, showcasing a diverse range of Arabic, fusion, vocal, and jazz music that emphasizes both regional and global talent.

Cinema AlJadidah : Film enthusiasts can enjoy Cinema AlJadidah, an open-air cinema showcasing art house films and introducing audiences to new cinematic cultures.

Madrasat Addeera’s public programming: Meanwhile, Madrasat Addeera’s public programming continues year-round, offering hands-on activities that celebrate AlUla’s rich tradition of arts and crafts.

With its diverse offerings, the AlUla Arts Festival provides an inspiring platform for creative expression and cultural dialogue, connecting visitors to the region’s unique heritage and contemporary vision.

For more information on booking and tickets on the festival offerings please visit experiencealula.com