Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla, showcasing rich cultural heritage

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The festival derives its name from the Tantora, an ancient sundial situated in the Old Town’s center. (SPA)
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The festival derives its name from the Tantora, an ancient sundial situated in the Old Town’s center. (SPA)
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The festival derives its name from the Tantora, an ancient sundial situated in the Old Town’s center. (SPA)
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The festival derives its name from the Tantora, an ancient sundial situated in the Old Town’s center. (SPA)
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The festival derives its name from the Tantora, an ancient sundial situated in the Old Town’s center. (SPA)
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Updated 19 December 2025
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Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla, showcasing rich cultural heritage

  • Festival now established as a premier annual event

AlUla: The Winter at Tantora Festival launched on Thursday in AlUla. It runs until Jan. 10 and presents a cultural season which celebrates the region’s rich civilizational, cultural, and historic legacy.

The festival’s program includes a wide array of cultural, artistic, and traditional activities, reported the Saudi Press Agency. 

Attractions include Old Town Nights, Shorfat Tantora, When Shadow Tracks Us, and the Al-Manshiyah Carnival.

FASTFACT

In the past, AlUla’s inhabitants used this clock to measure time and coordinate their agricultural activities.

In addition, there are guided tours of street art through the Old Town, special events commemorating the Year of Handicrafts, culinary experiences, and artistic and musical performances.

The festival derives its name from the Tantora, an ancient sundial situated in the Old Town’s center. In the past, AlUla’s inhabitants used this clock to measure time and coordinate their agricultural activities. The modern festival honors this tradition by marking the onset of winter and the start of the planting season.

This year’s edition offers a range of experiences to celebrate heritage, genuine local culture, and traditional craftsmanship. 

As part of AlUla Moments, the Winter at Tantora Festival supports efforts to boost cultural and tourist engagement while enhancing the visitor experience.

The initiative reflects Saudi Vision 2030’s commitment to advancing cultural tourism and promoting the Kingdom’s historic landmarks.

The festival has established itself as one of AlUla’s premier annual events, consistently attracting both domestic and international audiences.

 


Saudi Arabia pays Yemeni government $346.6m to meet salary shortfall

Updated 10 min 13 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia pays Yemeni government $346.6m to meet salary shortfall

  • The payment is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing work to promote stability and development for the Yemenis

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has provided $346.6 million (1.3 blln SAR) to help pay Yemeni government employees the massive shortfall in their salaries.

The payment, under a ruling by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, was delivered through the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY).

The payment is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing work to promote stability and development for the Yemenis, the SDRPY said in a statement released on its X.com account.

The statement added that the initiative aimed to strengthen economic, financial and monetary stability in Yemen, enhance the capacity of government institutions, improve governance and transparency, and enable the private sector to drive sustainable economic growth.

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad Al-Alimi thanked the Saudi royals for the support, describing it as an extension of the Kingdom’s longstanding support for the Yemeni people.

And Al-Alimi said the support sent a message of confidence in Yemen’s path of recovery as well as the in the government’s ability to strengthen national institutions and reinforce security and stability.

Adding that Yemen’s ongoing partnership with Saudi Arabia represented an important choice for a more stable future.

And he called for a unified effort to support the reconstruction of the country’s instituions, as well as improve living conditions and advance economic and social development.