AlUla Moments announced details of the upcoming AlUla Skies Festival 2023, which is set to return for a second edition from 26 April to 13 May. Now a flagship event in the AlUla Moments calendar, AlUla Skies is once again inviting visitors to explore the skies above the ancient oasis city whilst bringing together adventure, culture, heritage and entertainment. Endless action and a host of unique activities are sure to provide an incredible spectacle from every angle, from hot air balloon and helicopter tours to stargazing and astrophotography.

Phillip Jones, chief tourism officer at Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: “AlUla Skies Festival is a unique opportunity to welcome visitors from the Kingdom and the world to AlUla, to further strengthen its position as a leading tourist destination in the region.

“Since ancient times, the sky has been a map for those who visited AlUla, as they were guided by the stars and the constellations to travel on the ancient incense trading route, and today we celebrate the history of the skies with unique events and offers that position AlUla Skies Festival as a must-do on the travelers bucket list every year.”

With the festival designed to celebrate all things skies, its two-week duration will see the skies come alive day and night. Unique and adventurous experiences await with AlUla Hot Air balloon Tour over North Hegra running daily between 7-8 am 4-6 pm. In addition to floating serenely over Hegra, visitors can embark on a journey like no other and make memories that last a lifetime. Birds-eye views of AlUla’s most famous landmarks and stunning desert vistas are available by taking the Helicopter Tour which departs from The Equestrian Village Helipad and runs for one hour from 9-5 pm, whilst visiting Harrat Viewpoint for a magical view of AlUla’s surroundings will run from 4-11 pm.

AlUla Skies is also providing a combined experience of stargazing and astrophotography. From 4.30 – 10.30 pm daily, stargazing will be set in a remote area that offers some of the very best views of the night sky, with expert guides on hand to talk about the stars, constellations and how to shoot the night sky. This activity is a unique opportunity linking stargazing to Arabian astronomy and how Arab civilisations used the skies to navigate. There’s also no better place to witness celestial events than AlUla where an ​exquisite location with minimal light pollution boasts some of the darkest night skies on earth.

What’s more, high adrenaline activity awaits with a Giant Swing where participants jump off the mountain edge and swing through the high canyon walls 85 meters above ground from 4 pm and 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday, Whilst an outdoor cinema is open daily from 4 pm to 1 am, and the AlUla Stairway is open daily, a first-of-its-kind adventure offering. Participants will be accompanied by professional guides as they are suspended in the air on a 45-metre ladder and descent all the way back down on a 150-metre zipline.