ALULA: The historic Tantora Ceremony was revived in AlUla Old Town on Monday, reaffirming one of the region’s most distinctive cultural traditions while also being a cornerstone of its intangible heritage.

The Tantora is a sundial that residents once relied on to mark the start of the agricultural season and the arrival of Al-Marba’aniyah, a key winter period, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This year’s ceremony forms part of the Royal Commission for AlUla’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage and make it a part of contemporary public life.

The program features a range of activities highlighting the Tantora’s historic role and enduring significance. Visitors can expect traditional performances, artisan showcases, and sessions that explore how the Tantora was used, alongside demonstrations that evoke everyday life in AlUla’s past.

The event will deepen public understanding of the Tantora as one of AlUla’s most notable expressions of intangible heritage. By revisiting its connection to seasonal change, winter’s onset and agricultural preparation, the ceremony will shed light on the rhythms that once shaped life in the region.

Reviving the Tantora Ceremony reflects the commission’s commitment to encourage community participation and connect younger generations with AlUla’s historic legacy, the SPA added.

The commission said the celebration underscored AlUla’s dedication to protecting its assets and enhancing their role in sustainable development, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and its core pillars of quality of life and balanced national growth.

The Winter at Tantora Festival runs until Jan. 10, and attractions include Old Town Nights, Shorfat Tantora, When Shadow Tracks Us, and the Al-Manshiyah Carnival.

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.