Desert X AlUla | Al Ula
Celebration
The international open-air art exhibition "Desert X AlUla," set against the backdrop of the magnificent rock formations and oases of northwestern Saudi Arabia, will be held for the fourth time from January 16 to February 28, 2026. As the core event of the fifth AlUla Arts Festival, the exhibition transforms this ancient city into a vibrant gallery of contemporary art, design, and culture.
For 2026, the curatorial team chose "Boundless Space" as the theme, inspired by the poetic vision of Lebanese-American writer Kahlil Gibran. His reflections on possibility, perception, and the vastness of the human spirit resonate with Euler's seemingly infinitely extending vision. Against this backdrop, each temporary installation will become a landmark for contemplation, guiding visitors to experience connection, hope, and sharing.
The 2026 AlUla Desert Arts Festival is a joint event of Desert X and Arts AlUla, and admission is by ticket.
This exhibition builds upon the success of the Coachella Valley Desert Art Festival in California (which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary) and draws inspiration from land art concepts, striving to present a powerful experience of direct dialogue between art and nature. Al-Lura, located in the heart of Saudi Arabia's thriving art ecosystem, is both a living museum of human history and a vibrant center of contemporary creativity.