Desert X AlUla to Return for Fourth Edition in Early 2026

SPA

AlUla, January 11, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – The Royal Commission for AlUla announced that the fourth edition of Desert X AlUla will take place from January 16 to February 28, 2026, as part of the annual AlUla Arts Festival.

The open-air exhibition will be curated by Wejdan Reda and Zoé Whitley, with Neville Wakefield and Raneem Farsi returning as artistic directors. The event will feature works by Saudi and international artists, representing different generations and disciplines, with installations set across multiple outdoor locations in AlUla.

The 2026 edition will operate under the theme “Space Without Measure”, drawing on ideas related to perception, possibility and human potential. Organizers said the concept is linked to AlUla’s expansive desert landscape and its historical and cultural layers.

Since its launch in 2020, Desert X AlUla has presented more than 45 site-responsive artworks, establishing itself as a platform for artists working within desert environments. It has also contributed to the development of Wadi AlFann, a 65-square-kilometre land art destination scheduled to open in 2028.

According to the Royal Commission for AlUla, the exhibition supports long-term cultural programming in the region by offering opportunities for community engagement, skills development, and international collaboration. Participating artists for the 2026 edition will be announced in the coming weeks.