The AlUla Skies Festival 2026 will take place across AlUla from November 6 to 15, according to Experience AlUla. The programme includes hot air balloon flights over Hegra, tethered balloon rides, balloon glow shows, guided stargazing, meteor shower viewing, outdoor cinema and wellness sessions. The festival is relevant to UAE residents looking for a short GCC getaway during the cooler season, while also supporting AlUla’s wider tourism and astro-tourism offering.
- Location: AlUla, Saudi Arabia
- Organiser: Experience AlUla / Royal Commission for AlUla
- Dates: November 6–15, 2026
- Who is affected: Visitors and travellers planning an AlUla trip during the festival
- Tourism impact: Adds ballooning, astronomy and outdoor entertainment to AlUla’s seasonal tourism calendar
- What’s next: The festival begins November 6, with experiences running across different locations in AlUla
AlUla Skies Festival 2026 runs from November 6 to 15
The AlUla Skies Festival 2026 will return from November 6 to 15, giving visitors 10 days of aerial and astronomy-focused experiences across the Saudi destination.
Experience AlUla has confirmed a programme that ranges from early-morning hot air balloon flights over Hegra to evening balloon shows, guided stargazing and outdoor cinema. The mix gives visitors several ways to experience AlUla’s landscapes beyond its archaeological attractions.
One of the main highlights is AlUla Skyrise, a sunrise hot air balloon experience featuring 30 balloons over Hegra.
The flight runs throughout the festival and offers around 60 minutes in the air. Tickets cost SAR 990 per person, with advance booking required.
What can visitors do at the festival?
The programme includes experiences at different price points, making the festival accessible to both visitors looking for a major activity and those seeking shorter evening experiences.
The Tethered Hot Air Balloon Experience will operate at AlManshiyah Plaza every evening from November 6 to 15. Visitors will rise up to 50 metres above the ground for a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
The 20-minute experience costs SAR 100 per person and runs from 6pm to 10pm. Unlike the sunrise flight, advance booking is not required.
Another major attraction is the Hot Air Balloon Glow Show. The event will feature 12 illuminated balloons combined with music, projections, fire and acrobatics.
The show is scheduled at Hegra on November 6 and 7, followed by Elephant Rock on November 13 and 14. Tickets start at SAR 30.
Stargazing and the Leonid Meteor Shower are also on the programme
Astronomy is a major part of this year’s AlUla Skies Festival, building on the destination’s growing focus on dark-sky tourism.
Experience AlUla has scheduled guided stargazing sessions at AlUla Fort on November 6, 7, 13 and 14, with free entry.
Visitors can also attend the Leonid Meteor Shower experience at Jabal Ikmah on November 15. The programme includes guided astronomy activities designed around the meteor shower.
AlUla’s appeal for astronomy enthusiasts also extends beyond the festival. The Royal Commission for AlUla has been developing protected dark-sky areas across the destination.
In December 2025, the Royal Commission for AlUla announced that Sharaan National Park and Wadi Nakhlah Nature Reserve had received Dark Sky Park designation from DarkSky International. Together with existing dark-sky areas including AlUla Manara and Gharameel Nature Reserve, the protected area covers more than 6,100 square kilometres.
Outdoor cinema and wellness experiences add more options
The festival is not limited to balloon rides and astronomy.
VOX Moonlight Cinema will run outdoor screenings during the 10-day event, giving visitors another evening activity in AlUla’s desert setting.
The programme also includes astronomy sessions at AlUla Manara, which is being developed as a destination focused on astronomy and space science.
For visitors looking for a quieter experience, Sunset Stillness at Our Habitas AlUla will combine meditation and sound-based activities. Experience AlUla has listed sessions on November 13 and 14, with prices starting from SAR 50 per person.
This range of activities means visitors can build an itinerary around adventure, entertainment, astronomy or wellness rather than attending the festival for just one attraction.
For UAE residents, the AlUla Skies Festival comes at a time when cooler weather makes regional outdoor travel more appealing.
AlUla is also relatively different from the typical GCC city-break experience, with its archaeological sites, sandstone landscapes, desert activities and growing collection of nature and astronomy experiences.
The festival could also appeal to travellers planning a longer Saudi Arabia itinerary, as several activities are spread across different AlUla locations and dates.
From a tourism perspective, the programme supports AlUla’s broader effort to develop experiences around its natural landscape and night skies, rather than relying only on heritage tourism.
With activities ranging from free stargazing to a SAR 990 balloon flight, visitors can also choose experiences based on their budget and interests.
FAQs
When is the AlUla Skies Festival 2026?
The AlUla Skies Festival will take place from November 6 to 15, 2026, according to Experience AlUla.
How much does the AlUla hot air balloon experience cost?
The AlUla Skyrise sunrise balloon flight costs SAR 990 per person. A separate tethered balloon experience at AlManshiyah Plaza costs SAR 100 per person.
Where can visitors watch the balloon glow show?
The Hot Air Balloon Glow Show will take place at Hegra on November 6 and 7 and at Elephant Rock on November 13 and 14. Tickets start at SAR 30.
Is stargazing available during the festival?
Yes. Free guided stargazing sessions are scheduled at AlUla Fort on November 6, 7, 13 and 14. A separate Leonid Meteor Shower experience is planned at Jabal Ikmah on November 15.
Is the AlUla Skyrise flight suitable for children?
Experience AlUla lists a minimum age of six years for the AlUla Skyrise experience. Flight operations can also change depending on weather and wind conditions.
The AlUla Skies Festival 2026 will bring together hot air ballooning, astronomy, outdoor entertainment and wellness across 10 days in November. With both free activities and ticketed experiences available, the festival offers UAE and GCC travellers several ways to explore AlUla during the cooler season.
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