Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year and the second holiest month after Ramadan The first day of the month in 2023 is July 19, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing happening in the Western new year in Saudi.

January 2023

Heritage Oasis Trail, AlUla Oasis, AlUla
The Winter at Tantora festival brings together the best of art, music, theater, culture, and history, complete with performances, experiences, and activities during the months of December and January. Walking the Heritage Oasis Trail is one worthwhile activity happening up until January 21. On a guided tour, you will walk the three kilometers (1.86 miles) from Dadan to the center of the oasis. You will learn about the ancient mud-brick walls that line the trail as well as the restoration of local farms.

World Snow Day Celebration, Snow City, Riyadh
Snow City in Riyadh is the first snow park in Saudi. As such, it took part in the World Snow Day Celebration in January of 2022. The all-ages event focused on activities such as snowmobile riding, bumper car riding, tubing, and climbing the wall. There were competitions for participants in the tug of war and climbing wall, with prizes given out. World Snow Day occurs on Sunday, January 15, 2023, and Snow City is planning to hold another celebration that weekend.

February 2023

Khaybar Hot Air Balloons, Khaybar
The Ancient Kingdoms festival, which began in November, aims to connect AlUla with the ancient cities of Tayma and Khaybar. Khaybar, located 153 kilometers (95 miles) north of Medina, is an intriguing ancient city in that it features an oasis that is surrounded by (now dormant) volcanoes. Visitors can take a tethered hot air balloon ride over Khaybar’s volcanic landscape, which also provides a bird’s-eye view of mysterious Bronze Age stone structures that are best seen from above. These rides run until February 7, 2023, and are, of course, dependent on the weather.

Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, AlUla
This tournament, the only modern polo tournament within a desert environment, takes place February 11 and 12, 2023, and closes out the Winter at Tantora Festival. In its third edition, four teams will compete in a specially built arena, each being led by a player from the famous La Dolfina Polo team. The Royal Commission for AlUla and La Dolfina Polo have together partnered to promote polo in Saudi and aim to make AlUla a worldwide equine sports center.

Saudi Cup, Riyadh
Speaking of equine sports, the world’s richest horse race—the $20 million Saudi Cup—will be held at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh on February 24 and 25, 2023.The horse racing season in Riyadh typically runs from October to March, with the Saudi Cup rounding it out. The racetrack’s grandstand seats 5,000 and overlooks the track and finish line, but there are giant screens that enable the crowds to see every exciting minute. It is a great opportunity to witness some of the world’s leading racehorses in action.

Fame: Andy Warhol in AlUla, Ashar Valley, AlUla
You wouldn’t think of Saudi as being a place to catch an Andy Warhol exhibition, but this is exactly what will happen from February 17 to May 26, 2023. Warhol was known for his Pop Art contributions in the 1960s, as well as his experimental films. The exhibition—a collaboration between Arts UlUla and Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Museum—will feature prints of Elizabeth Taylor, Dolly Parton, Muhammad Ali, and more, as well as screen tests of ‘60s stars and publicity photographs. The exhibition will be held at Maraya—the largest mirrored building in the world, which is inviting in and of itself.

March 2023
It is worth mentioning here that that the holy month of Ramadan will be observed in Saudi from March 22 to April 21, 2023. During this time, Muslims will fast between dawn and sunset, and most restaurants will only be open after sunset. There may be dining before sunset in hotels and grocery stores will be open, but non-Muslims should not eat, drink, smoke, or even chew gum in public out of respect during this time.