During the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, the three great oases of northwest Arabia - AlUla, Khaybar and Tayma - will welcome visitors from across the world for an unprecedented experience of history that spans millennia.
Immersive and enriching, the festival aims to ignite a lifelong curiosity and sense of connection with the pivotal stories of the past that shape our understanding of the present.
Through innovative and thoughtfully designed experiences, visitors can uncover history through new and exciting points of access - from hot air balloons at Khaybar to a Nabatean dining experience at Hegra - allowing them to experience history as active participants rather than passive observers.
With AlUla as the anchoring hub, the Ancient Kingdoms Festival will give a first glimpse of the treasures waiting to be discovered at AlUla’s cousin sites – Tayma and Khaybar. Each with its own distinct history and geology, Tayma and Khaybar will be accessible through individual day trips, where Tayma’s legacy as the land of kings will stand in contrast to Khaybar’s geological wonder.
The festival will also cast a dazzling light on established sites in AlUla, such as Hegra, the once vibrant Nabatean city that still carries exquisite evidence of the region’s architectural accomplishments from the 1st century AD.
Visitors will be able to experience this UNESCO World Heritage site in inspiring ways – such as a candle-lit visit to its legendary tombs after dark – and will also be able to discover other awe-inspiring historical sites throughout AlUla.
