This November, one of AlUla’s most atmospheric cultural events returns to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hegra Candlelit Classics series will once again transform the ancient sandstone landscape of Hegra into a candlelit concert hall, where live music unfolds beneath clear desert skies and thousands of flickering lights.
Taking place on November 20 and 21, the two-night program brings together global artists whose backgrounds span classical, jazz, Arabic soul and genre-blending contemporary performance. The series is designed to connect international and regional musical traditions with the timeless setting of Hegra’s carved rock tombs, creating an evening where sound, history and landscape meet.
Opening Night Features Japanese and Lebanese Powerhouses
The opening night on Thursday, November 20 features Japanese composer and performer YOSHIKI, a global icon known for moving fluidly between classical piano and rock percussion. His performances are emotional and theatrical, shaped by dramatic crescendos and quiet, reflective pauses.
Joining him on stage is Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, whose work has broadened the expressive language of the trumpet, drawing on jazz, Arabic maqam and improvisational dialogue. The two artists will perform individually and in collaboration, offering a program that shifts between intimate and soaring.
Grammy-Winning Jon Batiste Joined by Marilyne Naaman in Second Night
The following evening on Friday, November 21 brings Grammy-winning American musician Jon Batiste to Saudi Arabia for the first time. Batiste is known for his ability to blend jazz, soul and storytelling into performances that feel both joyful and deeply personal.
He will be joined by Lebanese singer Marilyne Naaman, whose warm, powerful vocals bridge traditional Arabic soundscapes with contemporary pop. Together, their performance promises a night of rhythm, resonance and emotional intensity.
Hegra
Hegra itself plays a central role in shaping the atmosphere. The site, with its tombs carved nearly two thousand years ago, sits in near-silence once the sun goes down. The candlelight is soft and warm against the stone. The sense of place is immediate. Concertgoers often describe the experience as immersive and almost cinematic.
Each evening begins at 6:30 PM, with guests aged 12 and above welcome to attend. A smart casual dress code is recommended, along with something warm for the desert night air. Tickets start at SAR 600 and are available through Experience AlUla.
These concerts are part of a wider movement to bring cultural experience into dialogue with place in Saudi Arabia. AlUla continues to position itself as a destination for music, art and heritage tourism, with programming that draws international artists while highlighting the region’s historical significance.
This year’s Candlelit Classics offers something rare: the chance to experience live performance where the environment is inseparable from the music itself. It is an evening not only to listen, but to slow down, look up and feel present within a landscape shaped by centuries.
Location: Hegra, AlUla
Dates: November 20 and 21
Tickets: Available on the Experience AlUla website (night one here; night two here)
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