The fourth edition of the musical and cultural festival, Winter at Tantoura, kicked off on Thursday, introducing many cultural and historic experiences including musicals and interactive activities that highlight the unique history of the city.
Tantora represents many generations of culture and heritage in AlUla, famed for the sundial used by local residents to tell the time and mark the beginning of the winter planting season. This year, AlUla celebrates this landmark with a series of entertainment and cultural events, musicals, and special experiences.
These experiences include cultural shows and interactive activities that highlight AlUla’s prestigious history and magical season. Winter at Tantora is the largest festival of its kind, hosting over 200 artists, and an orchestra concert that mixes the best Arabic and international music pieces, in addition to a visual presentation on the walls and the fortress of the old town.
During the festival, routes of AlUla will be decorated with many local products such as dates, citrus fruits, and coffee. Visitors will also enjoy the hospitality traditions of AlUla with coffee and dates to celebrate the Year of Coffee 2022 in Saudi Arabia.
The fourth edition of Winter at Tantora is held between December 22 and January 21, 2023, during which visitors will enjoy myriads of entertaining activities including concerts at the Mirror Hall by Majid al-Muhandis on December 23, Mohammed Abdu on December 30, and Assala Nasri on January 13.
Esteemed singer Mohammed Abdu said he has always been happy to partake in concerts in his home country, adding that participating in Winter at Tantora is very special to him given the city’s unique aspect that combines history and modernity. He also said he’s looking forward to seeing his fans and promised them a distinguished concert.
For his part, Majid al-Muhandis said music plays a major role in spreading culture, noting that “Winter at Tantor in AlUla” represents a great opportunity to enhance the prospering cultural and musical scene in Saudi Arabia.
Muhandis noted that AlUla is very special to him, as he previously chose it to shoot one of his music videos, and that he’s so happy to sing in it again surrounded by his fans.
Assala Nasri described Winter at Tantora as an exceptional idea, saying she’s thrilled to partake in it and to sing in such a unique place.
In addition, music will accompany the “Balconies of AlJadidah” segment held in collaboration between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Music Commission. During the segment, the Saudi National Music Band will perform special pieces that date back to the 1970-90s in different regions and along the incense road at AlJadidah.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to fly in the sky of AlUla and enjoy the amazing landscapes in air balloons. The festival offers several experiences including the 15-minute hanged balloon trip, the 45-min free balloon trip, and the hanged balloon in the Khaybar region, the geological miracle known for its green oasis, volcanic rocks, and prehistorical rock formations.
For tour lovers, storytellers will be reciting the old history of the oasis in a two-hour tour dubbed “Folkloric Oasis Path”, during which visitors can wander in amazing natural areas featuring old mud houses and local farms.
Winter at Tantora also offers new and exclusive culinary options and the tastiest international dishes in the desert mountains and historic landmarks. The event hosts some of the most known restaurants and cafés at AlUla oasis during the festival.
Finally, the “environmental agriculture” experience, one of the free, interactive activities in Tantora, offers a three-hour experience including workshops that focus on vegetables, plants, and soil fertilization, in addition to an educational, explorative experience of wandering around the oasis gardens and interacting with animals.
