AlUla Skies Festival to return in 2026 with stargazing and aerial adventures

AlUla Moments has announced the return of the AlUla Skies Festival, set to take place from November 6 to 15, 2026. Over 10 days, the festival will offer a range of exceptional experiences inviting visitors to discover AlUla’s unique landscape and skies from a fresh perspective.

The festival combines sunrise hot air balloon flights over AlUla’s historic terrain with enchanting evenings under star-filled skies, celebrating the beauty of AlUla from earth to sky.

Held in tribute to the wonders of nature, the spirit of adventure, and the marvels of astronomy, the festival transforms AlUla’s oasis into a vibrant destination for innovative experiences, blending aerial adventures with cultural and entertainment programs.

During the day, visitors can enjoy sunrise hot air balloon rides and aerial views of AlUla’s landscapes. Evenings feature illuminated balloon shows, stargazing sessions, open-air moonlit cinema, and wellness experiences, creating an immersive blend of nature, culture, and entertainment.

The festival coincides with minimal moonlight at night from November 7 to 12, as a new lunar cycle begins on November 9, providing ideal conditions for observing faint celestial objects.

It also aligns with the Leonid meteor shower on November 15, when visitors can witness up to 20 meteors per hour in low moonlight conditions during a special stargazing experience at Jabal Ikmah.

A highlight of this year’s program is “Sky Rise AlUla,” offering guests a shared sunrise hot air balloon journey over AlUla’s terrain. The experience runs daily throughout the festival from 6:00 to 7:00 a.m., following an early morning briefing and balloon boarding.

The journey begins with Saudi coffee and dates served to guests before takeoff, with a variety of refreshments provided after landing.

Visitors can also enjoy illuminated balloon shows at Hegra on November 6 and 7, and at Elephant Rock on November 13 and 14.

The evening shows feature glowing hot air balloons, music, lighting, visual displays, fire performances, and acrobatics, culminating in a coordinated finale that brings all elements together in a spectacular artistic display.

For those seeking a quieter experience, tethered balloon rides offer panoramic views up to 50 meters above AlManshiyah Square and the surrounding landscape—an ideal choice for photographers, families, and first-time balloonists. Guests can book and pay on-site without prior registration.

The festival also features “Vox Cinema Under the Moonlight,” with screenings held throughout the 10-day event at various times.

Astronomy enthusiasts can visit the “AlUla Observatory” on November 6 and 7, 10 to 12, and 13 to 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The observatory experience includes five advanced telescopes for viewing planets and star clusters, along with guided sessions led by a professional astronomer and a storyteller, offering cultural insights and heritage tales to enrich the stargazing experience.

The festival’s wellness offerings are completed with sunset meditation sessions at “Our Habitas AlUla” on November 13 and 14, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

The program also includes guided night hikes under the stars, organized in collaboration with the Husaak Adventure Center.

The festival highlights AlUla’s status as the first Dark Sky destination in the Gulf region, with several sites—such as Gharameel Reserve, Sharaan Nature Reserve, and Wadi Nakhlah Reserve—certified by the International Dark-Sky Association. This reflects AlUla’s efforts to preserve its natural environment, reduce light pollution, support sustainable tourism, and provide optimal conditions for stargazing.

The AlUla Skies Festival is part of the year-round “AlUla Moments” calendar, which celebrates art, culture, heritage, nature, and adventure, reinforcing AlUla’s position as a global destination for diverse travel experiences.

For more information and details, interested visitors can visit the official website.