This month’s Lifestyle Corner highlights a selection of major events taking place across Saudi Arabia in late January and February 2026, offering a mix of global entertainment, cultural experiences, and outdoor attractions. From headline sporting spectacles in Riyadh to immersive heritage and art programming in AlUla, the winter season continues to present opportunities for residents and visitors to explore the Kingdom’s evolving lifestyle and tourism landscape.
Riyadh: WWE Royal Rumble 2026
For the first time in its history, WWE’s flagship Royal Rumble event will take place outside North America, bringing one of professional wrestling’s most recognizable annual spectacles to Riyadh. Featuring top WWE superstars from across its global roster, the event is expected to draw international attention and a diverse audience, marking another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s growing portfolio of large-scale live entertainment.
- Date: January 31, 2026
- Location: King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh
- More information and tickets: https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/riyadh/events/wwe-royal-rumble-riyadh
Across the Kingdom: Dakar Rally 2026
The Dakar Rally continues its 2026 edition across Saudi Arabia’s varied terrain, challenging drivers and riders with one of the world’s most demanding off-road endurance competitions. As the rally moves through deserts, rocky plains, and remote landscapes, spectators can follow the progress of international teams competing in cars, motorcycles, trucks, and support vehicles throughout the Kingdom.
- Dates: January 3 to January 17, 2026
- Route: Multiple stages across Saudi Arabia, starting and finishing in Yanbu
- More information: https://www.dakar.com
AlUla: Nighttime Heritage and Cultural Experiences
Hegra after Dark
Set within Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra After Dark offers an immersive evening experience combining storytelling, theatrical performance, lighting, and curated culinary elements. Visitors explore the ancient Nabataean landscape after sunset, gaining insight into the region’s history through atmospheric programming designed specifically for winter evenings.
- Dates: Ongoing through February 14, 2026
- Location: Hegra, AlUla
- More information and tickets: https://tickets.experiencealula.com/en/experiences/hegra-after-dark
Hegra Drone Show – Stories from the Sky
This nighttime drone performance brings synchronized light, sound, and narrative together above the historic tombs of Hegra. The show draws on archaeological themes and regional storytelling, offering a visually striking complement to AlUla’s broader winter cultural programming.
- Dates: Seasonal performances, with availability during the winter period
- Location: Hegra, AlUla
- More information and tickets: https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/alula/events/hegra-drone-show
AlUla Arts Festival 2026
The AlUla Arts Festival returns this winter with a month-long program of exhibitions, performances, installations, and public programming set across AlUla’s natural and architectural landmarks. The festival brings together contemporary art, design, and live performance, offering visitors multiple entry points to engage with creative work in outdoor and site-specific settings throughout the region.
- Dates: January 16 to February 14, 2026
- Location: AlUla
- More information: https://www.experiencealula.com/en/whats-on/festivals/alula-arts-festival
Desert X AlUla 2026
One of the festival’s most distinctive elements, Desert X AlUla features large-scale, site-specific contemporary art installations placed directly within the desert landscape. The open-air exhibition invites visitors to explore artworks integrated into natural formations and open terrain, encouraging self-guided discovery while moving through the surrounding environment.
- Dates: January 16 to February 28, 2026
- Location: Various sites across AlUla
- More information: https://www.experiencealula.com/en/whats-on/events/desert-x
