Hegra After Dark Brings AlUla’s Nabataean History to Life
The wonders of AlUla’s ancient history are ready to be discovered at the Hegra After Dark experience, one of the Ancient Kingdoms Festival unique events.
Taking place from November 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025, Hegra After Dark offers a rich and innovative journey through the ancient Nabataean civilization in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hegra After Dark
The Hegra After Dark provides an exceptional opportunity to learn the untold story of AlUla and its legacy in a history-inspired experience under the sparkling stars and the breathtaking landscape of the ancient oasis.
In its third edition, the fascinating experience returns with a bolder and more immersive experience of the ancient world, featuring a wide array of interactive events as well as engaging activities to highlight the Nabataean history in an exciting and attractive way.
Hegra is an ancient city in AlUla, holding an unparalleled cultural significance. It boasts a myriad of historical wonders that stand as a testament to the skills and craftsmanship of the city’s ancient people. Hegra has more than 110 preserved tombs, in addition to carved stone blocks, wells and defensive walls that reflect the Nabataean civilization.
The Secret Garden
The journey at Hegra After Dark starts with horse-drawn carriages that take visitors to the Secret Garden, where they experience the ancient Nabataean life. At the Secret Garden, visitors live every detail of the ancient people’s life, such as planting Acacia trees, which were a significant element of Nabataean trade and industry.
Moreover, 40 performers from around the world receive visitors at the Secret Garden, donning Nabataean traditional clothes and depicting historical figures. They narrate the stories of the ancient civilizations in English and Arabic, to revive the history of Hegra, according to Sabq Newspaper.
Theatre of Life
In a vibrant and lively experience, visitors travel back through time. They engage with the incredible scenes of camel convoys and the incense workshops at the Nabataean civilizations market, walking amid horses and merchants.
After leaving the Secret Garden, visitors immerse in the experience of the Nabataean Market. Merchants, traders as well as craftspeople sell their products, including textiles, pottery, jewelry, and incense, in an imitation of Hegra’s traditional markets.
Moreover, visitors walk through the market, watching the exchanges between traders and customers in an engaging experience that revives the Nabataean traditional life. Through this theatre of life experience, visitors travel amid the monumental tombs of Hegra, diving deep into its ancient history and experiencing the daily life of Nabataean people.
The Incense Road
The extraordinary experience goes on through the convoy route along the Incense Road, the main artery of the Nabataean trade. There, visitors watch camels and horses carrying goods and traveling through the Incense Road.
The Incense Road in Hegra offers an exceptional cultural experience, featuring ancient artifacts, aromatic plants and herbs, in addition to unique blends on incense, demonstrating the cultural traditions of AlUla.
The interactive experiences of Hegra After Dark attract visitors from across the world to reimagine the history of Nabataea and discover the authenticity of AlUla’s heritage and legacy.
Stories from the Skies
In an extension of the amazing Hegra After Dark experience, the Stories from the Skies offers an innovative way to learn about the history of AlUla. Through dazzling and spectacular shows, hundreds of drones narrate the stories of Nabataean history, depicting its prominent figures and characters.
The fascinating drone show also illuminates the landmarks of Hegra, creating an unmatched audio-visual spectacle and enriching the cultural experience of AlUla’s visitors.
