The dates and theme for Desert X AlUla 2026 have been announced. The next edition of the site-specific exhibition is set to take place from 16 January until 28 February, running as part of the 5th AlUla Arts Festival 2026 and will take place from 16 January until 14 February.
For its fourth edition, the exhibition will present 10 new site-specific artworks under the theme Space Without Measure. Each work functions as a point on an imaginative map forming a continuous dialogue across the terrain. The concept responds to the poetry of Kahlil Gibran, explore notions of space, perception and consider how humans experience and interact with the environment.
Artistic directors Neville Wakefield and Raneem Farsi, along with two guest curators set to be announced, will oversee the selection and presentation of the new artworks by Saudi and international artists.
Desert X is a site-specific contemporary art exhibition which encourages visitors to engage with the desert as a canvas, where art and the landscape meet in shared experiences. Since 2020, as part of the broader cultural programme in the region, Desert X AlUla has highlighted the city’s role as a space for artistic exchange and creative dialogue. Past editions have included works by artists such as Aseel AlYaqoub , Kader Attia and Rand Abdul Jabbar, among others, who have showcased works across the desert oasis, including locations such as Wadi AlFann, Harrat Uwayrid and the AlManshiyah Railway Station.
