• The Incense Road Experience and Hegra After Dark – Stories from the Sky Drone Show have been awarded Best Arts and Culture Event, and Best Entertainment Production at the Saudi Event Awards
  • Both experiences return this year as part of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, running from 20 November to 6 December

AlUla, Saudi Arabia – 24 September 2025:

Two of AlUla’s most celebrated experiences have been awarded at the inaugural Saudi Event Awards, a recognition that underscores the destination’s commitment to delivering extraordinary immersive experiences rooted in history and heritage. The awards ceremony took place at the JW Marriot Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 18th September.

The Incense Road Experience, a multisensory exploration of ancient history and living heritage set in the Old Town, was awarded the Best Arts & Culture Event, while Hegra After Dark – Stories from the Sky Drone Show, a spectacular interpretation of the cultural significance of Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, was recognised in the Best Entertainment Production category.

Hegra After Dark, AlUla’s premium cultural immersion experience inspired by Nabataean history, was also shortlisted in the Best Arts and Culture category – the same category it was awarded at the Middle East Event Awards earlier this year.

“AlUla’s distinct culture and ancient heritage are a remarkable source of inspiration as we showcase this destination to the world. To be acknowledged with three nominations and two  awards is a testament to our commitment to sharing  our rich heritage through culturally valuable experiences that truly captures the public imagination” said Eman Alankari, Executive Director of Cultural

Sites Management at the Royal Commission for AlUla.

All three nominated experiences will return this year as part of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival this November. Notably, two of the projects were led by Miznah Alrmothy, who is from the AlUla community and started her career interacting with tourists as a Rawi (translated into storyteller). She is now a key leader who brings Ancient Kingdoms Festival and her own hometown’s story to life.

Miznah Alrmothy, Creative Programs Senior Specialist at RCU and Programme Owner of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival, added: “As someone who grew up in AlUla and has shared its stories during my time as a Rawi, it is a privilege to now help bring these powerful stories to life in innovative ways. The awards are a proud moment for all of us in AlUla, and a celebration of the creativity, dedication and passion of our community and partners who work tirelessly to share the legacy of the Incense Road and the ancient Nabataean civilisation through extraordinary experiences.”

Running from 20th November to 6th December 2025, the Ancient Kingdoms Festival brings to life the remarkable legacies of the ancient civilisations that once flourished in AlUla — spanning the kingdoms of Dadan, Lihyan, and the Nabataeans. Visitors can expect a rich programme of cultural performances, immersive archaeological tours, and rare encounters with ancient artefacts that shaped the history of the region.

AlUla’s multiple recognitions at Saudi Event Awards 2025 are an acknowledgment to the destination’s commitment to keeping its unique heritage alive while shaping world-class, interactive experiences that captivate global audiences.

Visit experiencealula.com to learn more.

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