Beyond the renowned experiences in Saudi Arabia, this AlUla Arts Festival 2025 showcases an extraordinary selection of exhibitions. Every piece tells a story of transformation, innovation, and heritage, from immersive artworks to dazzling light installations.
If you seek the epitome of cultural luxury, these 4 must-see exhibitions are where to begin.
1. Design Space AlUla: Raw to Revival
In the heart of AlUla, Design Space AlUla unveils a mesmerizing exploration of craftsmanship through its exhibition, Raw to Revival. This exhibition is merely a living testament to the region’s rich heritage and the artisans who have preserved it for generations.
Housed within the newly transformed Madrasat Addeera, a former girls’ school turned premier arts and design center, it presents an exquisite collection of handwoven textiles, earthy ceramics, and bespoke furniture that exude a raw, organic beauty. Every piece, meticulously crafted by Saudi artisans, reflects AlUla’s enduring artistic spirit while embracing contemporary design principles.
2. NEUMA: The Forgotten Ceremony
Explore the ethereal world of NEUMA – The Forgotten Ceremony, a hauntingly beautiful collaboration between Saudi-American artist Sarah Brahim and French sculptor Ugo Schiavi. Set against the serene landscape of Wadi AlNaam, this exhibition invites visitors to experience art through the lens of memory, spirituality, and silence.
At the heart of NEUMA stands a glass temple, its translucent form mirroring the vast desert sky. Inside, delicate hand-blown glass sculptures cast mesmerizing reflections, each piece inspired by pre-Islamic Dadanite ceremonies. This multifaceted installation beckons you to slow down, contemplate, and reconnect with the mystical energy of AlUla’s past.
3. James Turrell by Wadi AlFann
Few artists master the interplay of light and space quite like James Turrell, and at the Wadi AlFann exhibition, his legacy shines spectacularly. Renowned for his ability to shape perception through light, Turrell’s works blur the line between art and architecture, creating an experience that transcends the visual.
Curated by Michael Govan, CEO of LACMA, this showcase offers a glimpse into Turrell’s much-anticipated permanent installation in AlUla, alongside a selection of his most breathtaking works. Among them, the pyramid projection “Alta” (1968) and the spellbinding “Jubilee, Circular Glass” (2021)—a luminous piece that shifts hues with an almost hypnotic rhythm.
4. Al Khatt
Calligraphy has long been considered one of the most sophisticated art forms in the Arab world, and Al Khatt is a tribute to its eternal beauty. Presented in collaboration with Khawla Art and Culture, this exhibition takes a deep dive into the fluid elegance of Arabic script.
At Dar Tantora, visitors are greeted by an installation inspired by Sheikha Khawla bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi’s masterpiece, “Infatuation”. The sweeping lines and curves of her calligraphy seem almost alive, their rhythmic flow echoing the cadence of poetry.
From handwritten masterpieces to contemporary interpretations, Al Khatt captures the delicate balance between tradition and reinvention, proving that this age-old art form is anything but static.
AlUla is an ancient land that continues to inspire the world’s most visionary artists. These exhibitions promise a journey that lingers long after you’ve left the desert behind.
Ready to experience something one-of-a-kind? Plan your trip with Experium Travel!
