The AlUla Wellness Festival, part of Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Moments, is the largest of its kind in the Middle East. Living up to its promise to be bigger and better than ever, the third edition of the festival was spread over a course of 17 days – from October 19 to November 4. Thousands of visitors embarked on a unique journey of physical, spiritual, and sensory transformation.
Wellness seekers and health-conscious enthusiasts were treated to festival mainstays and brand-new additions, while inspiring talks by world-renowned experts and interactive activities influenced by AlUla’s abundant historical and natural heritage were other factors behind the festival’s impact and success.
“We’re thrilled with the incredible reaction and reception that this year’s AlUla Wellness Festival has generated,” said Rami AlMoallim, Vice President, Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). “AlUla’s rich history as a cherished oasis where rest and rejuvenation are there to be discovered by all has withstood the test of time. Our Wellness Festival is all about celebrating this legacy, and celebrate it we did.
“In the immediate aftermath of the AlUla Wellness Festival, witnessing thousands of visitors achieve their wellness dreams and head home with newfound happiness and positivity has been a real joy. A new benchmark for future editions has certainly been set over the last fortnight and I want to convey our thanks and appreciation to everyone who turned out and made the festival the best it could possibly be.”
The festival’s highlights included the Five Senses Sanctuary and its unique program of immersive sensory-based activities, the Couples Retreat at the beautiful Hidden Valley Camp, and the Nomuhub Wellness Program with its intensive four-day rejuvenation course.
The All Day I Dream event was a sold-out show. The Anyah Cooking Classes, Eco-Gardening, and the Heritage Restoration Experience were also popular, as were new additions to the festival lineup. These included the Silent Hike amidst the desert’s timeless beauty and the Reviving Nature Experience, where attendees embraced creative workshops to help tackle environmental waste and be part of a visionary new sculpture and public space.
Visitors aside, the 2023 AlUla Wellness Festival was equally well received by the professionals who led the activations and attractions on offer. Lana Nazir, a Saudi local who runs multiple yoga businesses, has practised and taught yoga for over 15 years. She ran classes in AlUla throughout the festival’s duration and believes the strong turnout reflects an increasing appetite for all things wellness across the Kingdom.
“People from all over Saudi Arabia have made their way to AlUla and this illustrates the widespread desire to experience wellness in some shape or form,” she said. “As a Saudi woman, I’m honored to have had this opportunity to serve my people. The Wellness Festival is a push for health and a better life for all – it’s shown that we have high standards for wellness in the Kingdom. The experience has been amazing and I can’t wait for next year.”
