The fun-filled festival is taking off in Saudi Arabia.
It’s time to go up, up and away. AlUla Skies Festival 2024 is taking off and celebrates the sky. Whether you fancy seeing the skies from a hot air balloon or helicopter ride, you’ll feel like you’re on cloud nine. Running from 26 September to 5 October, here’s what you need to know about the fun festival.
AlUla Skies Festival gives visitors a chance to experience the wonders of AlUla in a unique way. The hot air balloons create an Insta-worthy experience, as up to 60 balloons can take off at once. Visitors can choose between a tethered flight, which floats straight up, or an untethered flight, which drifts into the sky. The tethered flights generally take off between 7am to 8.30am and last 45 minutes. The untethered flights usually take off between 4pm to 5.30pm and last up to 15 minutes.
AlUla Helicopter Tours give visitors the opportunity to soar into the skies and see landmarks such as Elephant Rock, Maraya, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra.
As the sun sets, the excitement continues with a range of captivating activities. Guests can marvel at the Hot Air Balloons Glow Shows, participate in Stargazing and Astrophotography sessions at Gharameel Nature Reserve, enjoy serene Meditation Under the Sky, or explore the natural beauty on Night Hikes at Madakheel Reserve and Hidden Valley.
For food enthusiasts, a luxurious Dining Experience Under the Stars will be offered, featuring a gourmet menu inspired by the heavens, served picnic-style in the heart of the oasis. Elsewhere, music lovers are in for a treat as the AlUla Skies Festival will coincide with an exciting outdoor concert, with a top-tier headliner to be announced soon.
Visitors can also experience thrilling drone shows or get their hearts racing with the exhilarating Night Giant Swing and AlUla Stairway at Night experiences. These experiences are the first of their kind in the region and include a ladder suspended 45 metres in the air and a swing 85 metres above the ground.
Additionally, the AlUla Skies Festival will showcase a Pop-Up Planetarium, offering a sneak peek into the highly anticipated Manara Observatory. This immersive experience will highlight AlUla’s potential as a premier astro-tourism destination, capturing the wonder of the night sky and astronomy. The Manara Observatory is working with local and international partners to establish itself as a world-class centre for astronomical observation.
Go, look up.
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.