Festivals of Tunisia

Tunisia hosts a plethora of festivals year-round across the country, celebrating everything from nomadic culture to theater to poetry. With too many to list in one article, here are four of our favorites.

International Festival of Sousse, Sousse

The town of Sousse hosts its annual festival to celebrate the diversity of Tunisian culture, with local music and theater performances, as well as a carnival with a parade of elaborate floats.

Falconry Festival, El Haouaria

This June festival is held in the coastal town of El Haouaria, which translates to “the country of the eagle.” Aimed at preserving the tradition of falconry, thousands of foreign visitors come to Tunisia to see more than 200 falconers convene for competition and hunting. The most common birds are the sparrow hawk and pilgrim falcon, and there are plenty of musical and seaside attractions to keep you entertained.

International Jazz Festival, Tabarka

Dizzy Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia is one of the most famous jazz standards around, so it is fitting the city of Tabarka hosts one of the most culturally rich jazz showcases in the world. Thousands come to see the festival’s mix of artists from all corners of the jazz world.

International Festival of Carthage, Carthage

Considered one of the most important festivals in Africa and the Arab world, Carthage hosts hundreds of performers and thousands of fans in a 7,500 capacity antique theater. Music, ballet, cinema and theater entertains the city for more than a month with an eclectic range of performers that has included everyone from One Direction to James Brown to the top artists in the Arab-Mediterranean culture.