Winter at Tantora Festival
{{short description|Festival in Saudi Arabia}}
{{Infobox festival
| years_active = 2018–present
| website = {{URL|https://www.experiencealula.com/}}
| native_name = شتاء طنطورة
| logo = Winter at Tantora Logo.svg
| status = Active
| frequency = Annual
| country = Saudi Arabia
}}
The Winter at Tantora Festival ({{langx|ar|شتاء طنطورة}}) is an annual cultural festival held in the old town of Al-'Ula, Medina, located in northwestern Saudi Arabia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1423616/saudi-arabia|title=Saudi Arabia's Winter at Tantora festival gets underway at Al-Ula|date=2018-12-21|website=Arab News|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/346225/saudi-arabia-hosts-winter-at-tantora-music-festival/|title=Saudi Arabia hosts Winter at Tantora music festival|date=2019-01-20|website=Daily Times|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-10}} The first festival began on 21 December 2018, and was running a series of eight-weekend concerts for world-class musicians.{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/winter-at-tantora-music-festival-at-the-famous-heritage-site-in-saudi-arabia-1.1546853938415|title=Winter at Tantora: Music festival at the famous heritage site in Saudi Arabia|website=gulfnews.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10}} In addition to this, the festival also features other activities and events.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/arts/409729-world-class-musicians-drawn-to-festivals-at-saudis-unesco-site|title=World class musicians drawn to festivals at Saudi's UNESCO site|last=Bridge|first=Sam|website=ArabianBusiness.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10}} The festival's second edition began on 19 December 2019, and a third edition is currently in the works.{{Cite web|url=https://experiencealula.com/en/Winter_at_Tantora/Events/Pages/default.aspx|title=Experience AlUla|language=en|access-date=2019-10-11}}
Name
The name of the festival 'Tantora' is inspired by a sundial located in the old town of Al-'Ula, used by the locals as a marker for the changing of the seasons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.winterattantora.com/en/about/Pages/AboutTantora.aspx|title=About Al-Ula|website=www.winterattantora.com|access-date=2019-06-10}}
Events 2018-2019 Festival
- Concerts : The first edition of the festival hosted the Italian singer Andrea Bocceli, the Greek composer Yanni and the French violinist Renaud Capuçon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/02/22/winter-at-tantora-music-festival-brings-yanni-and-other-stars-to-saudi-arabia|title=Winter at Tantora: music festival brings Yanni and other stars to Saudi Arabia|date=2019-02-22|website=euronews|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10}}
- Hot air balloon festival.{{Cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-style/travel-and-tourism/2018/12/20/Winter-At-Tantora-longest-Saudi-festival-to-run-for-seven-weeks-in-Ula-ancient-city-.html|title=Winter At Tantoura, Saudi festival to run for 7 weeks in Ula ancient city|website=english.alarabiya.net|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10}}
- Light and Life celebration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/arts/409729-world-class-musicians-drawn-to-festivals-at-saudis-unesco-site|title=World class musicians drawn to festivals at Saudi's UNESCO site|last=Bridge|first=Sam|website=ArabianBusiness.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10}}
- Fursan Endurance Horse Race, 2 February 2019{{Cite web|url=http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/557060/Life/Explore/Winter-at-Tantora-Festival-announced-in-Al-Ula|title=Winter at Tantora Festival announced in Al-Ula|website=saudigazette.com.sa|language=en|access-date=2019-10-11}}
Events 2019-2020 Festival
- Concerts
- Hot air balloon festival
- Fursan Endurance Horse Race