Taste of Saudi Culture: Discover more at AlUla Date Festival

Celebrate the sweet history of dates and date farming in AlUla at this annual festival

LIST Editors

12 September 23

AlUla Date Festival

The fourth annual AlUla Dates Festival has commenced in the historic city of AlUla.

Running from September 8 to November 11, this cultural event has been organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla, with the primary goal of showcasing and promoting AlUla dates to local, regional, and international markets.

The festival pays homage to ancient traditions and culture, as palm cultivation has thrived in AlUla since the early first millennium BC, coinciding with the settlement of the Dadaanites and Lihyanites civilisations in the area.

The festival will unfold in two distinct segments.

A date auction is held every Friday and Saturday morning from 6 am to 9 am in the vibrant Al Aziziyah district.

Secondly, a bustling souq springs to life every Friday and Saturday evening from 5 pm to 11 pm at the Manshiya Market. This bustling market offers a delightful array of date-based products, ranging from delectable dates themselves to date-infused desserts and even cosmetics.

The souk will bring together local artisans, cuisine, and handicrafts with entertainment and activities to celebrate with family and friends.

Beyond the vibrant marketplaces, the Royal Commission for AlUla has curated a diverse lineup of courses and workshops throughout the festival's duration. These educational sessions are designed to empower both producers and those eager to learn, fostering the exchange of expertise within the community.

Thanks to AlUla's fertile soil and abundant freshwater resources, the date farmers in the region have gained worldwide acclaim for producing the finest quality of Barni dates, along with other varieties such as Black and Red Helwa.

To close out the celebrations, a special AlShannah event will take place on the final day of the festival, Saturday, November 11 from 12pm-3pm.