There's visiting Petra by day, and then there's an entirely different experience that happens after sunset: "Petra by Night," where the Siq and the plaza in front of the Treasury transform into a scene lit by thousands of candles under a clear desert sky full of stars.
The event runs several evenings a week (confirm the exact current schedule locally when booking or at the Wadi Musa ticket office, since it can shift seasonally), typically starting around 8:30 PM and running roughly two hours. Tickets cost 30 Jordanian Dinars per person (roughly 160 SAR at current exchange rates), completely separate from Petra's daytime entry ticket — meaning you need both if you plan to visit by day and return at night. Children under 10 usually enter free, but confirm this condition when booking.
The night experience is simple in concept but genuinely captivating in execution: visitors walk through the Siq lit only by candles lining the path on either side, with almost no electric lighting, making the near-darkness and quiet a completely different, more contemplative experience than the daytime bustle. Arriving at the plaza in front of the Treasury, you'll find hundreds of candles arranged on the ground, while the rose-colored facade is softly lit to bring out its carved details against the star-filled sky. The session includes traditional Bedouin music, often flute or rebab, in a hushed atmosphere where visitors are asked to keep relatively quiet out of respect for the shared experience.
Practically, the event runs about two hours, and flash photography isn't allowed during the main portion of the session to preserve the atmosphere, though there's usually free photo time at the end. Dress warmly even in summer — desert temperatures drop noticeably after sunset, especially in Petra's exposed valley at over 900 meters elevation. In winter, it's genuinely cold, so warm layers aren't optional.
Worth noting: walking through the Siq at night on uneven ground with dim lighting can be challenging for older visitors or those with mobility difficulties, so wear comfortable low-top shoes with a stable sole. It's also wise not to stack an exhausting full-day site visit and the night event on the same day — fatigue takes away from enjoying the calm evening experience. The better plan is to dedicate one full day to daytime visiting, then attend "Petra by Night" on a different evening during your Wadi Musa stay, which also gives you a proper chance to rest beforehand.
This particular experience is exactly why many recommend spending at least two nights in Wadi Musa instead of one — the combination of Petra in daylight and Petra under candlelight gives you two completely different pictures of the same place.
