Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla with sensory treats

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Updated 04 November 2024
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Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla with sensory treats

  • Celebration of culture, heritage, music and culinary delights from Dec. 19 to Jan. 11

Riyadh: The Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla from Dec. 19 to Jan. 11, offering a magical fusion of history, culture, music, and culinary delights that capture the spirit of this ancient city. 

Named after AlUla Old Town’s traditional sundial, this festival in the AlUla Moments calendar marks the start of the winter planting season.

According to a press release from AlUla Moments, Winter at Tantora will spotlight Saudi Arabia’s vibrant music scene. It will feature acclaimed Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme and the National Arab Orchestra for a unique classical music experience. 

The “Macintosh” show will reimagine iconic Arab hits with performances by contemporary stars Ayedh, Aziz Maraka, Zeina Imad and Daffy, under maestro Ahmad Al-Oud.

Music lovers will be captivated by Lebanese composer Marwan Khoury’s collaboration with Croatian cellist Hauser — a not-to-miss partnership.

The Immersive Theater Experience will merge stage action and film, transforming cinema into a sensory delight for fans of both mediums. 

Sanaam AlUla Night celebrates the Year of the Camel, blending traditional music with Saudi Arabia’s hospitality. The “In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta – Discovery Tour” offers insights into AlUla’s historical role along the Incense Road.

In Tantora Old Town, vibrant traditional performances, crafts, masterclasses, and storytelling showcase AlUla’s rich cultural heritage.

The Shorfat Tantora concerts return, turning balconies into stages as local and regional orchestras fill the streets with enchanting melodies.

Visitors can also explore AlUla Citrus Season, which highlights the area’s seasonal bounty with a fresh fruit market, handmade products, and competitions.

The Al-Manshiyah Carnival will bring out one’s inner child, while the Future Ancient Makers Space offers families hands-on activities that bring history to life in AlUla Old Town. 

Culinary highlights include the return of chef Alain Ducasse’s oasis-to-table dining experience and SASS’ AlUla, a Mediterranean fine-dining establishment blending Monaco’s elegance with a Saudi twist.


SDAIA president says Saudi Arabia is building an integrated AI ecosystem

Updated 20 February 2026
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SDAIA president says Saudi Arabia is building an integrated AI ecosystem

RIYADH: Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi says that Saudi Arabia is moving steadily to establish artificial intelligence as a trusted national capability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Guided by the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, Al-Ghamdi said the goal is to use AI to help develop government services, enhance competitiveness, build human capacity and improve quality of life through a comprehensive strategy based on three main pillars that unlock the potential of this technology and achieve sustainable developmental impact.

“The first pillar focuses on building human capacity and enhancing readiness to engage with AI technologies,” he said.

The second pillar is building an integrated national AI ecosystem that drives expansion and innovation by developing advanced digital infrastructure that enables various sectors to adopt AI applications efficiently, consistently and with effective governance, Al-Ghamdi said.

The third pillar, he said, is governance that ensures responsible and measurable AI through a national framework aligned with international standards.

This came during Al-Ghamdi’s speech at a high-level ministerial session held on Thursday on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

He is heading the Saudi delegation, and the session saw broad participation from heads of state, decision-makers and technology leaders from around the world.

Al-Ghamdi also had a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening, discussed AI cooperation and expressed his gratitude for hosting the summit and for the hospitality extended to the participants.