International Festival of the Sahara

مهرجان الصحراء الدولي

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MusicDouz
DatesDates TBA · Usually DecemberCheck locally before booking
DurationWinterEstimate from available data
CrowdMediumAbout 50,000 people
Best forLive music, late nightsTracing its origins back to 1910 under
Language["ar"]Currency: TND
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

International Festival of the Sahara in Douz

The International Festival of the Sahara is a four-day desert culture celebration held each December in Douz, southern Tunisia's gateway to the Sahara, tracing its roots to 1910 and drawing more than 50,000 visitors for camel racing, fantasia horsemanship, and Bedouin traditions. A staged Bedouin wedding and sloughi hunting-dog displays round out the program.

The International Festival of the Sahara in Douz carries a claim few Tunisian cultural events can match: origins stretching back to 1910, during the period of French colonial rule, making it widely regarded as the country's oldest festival.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Tracing its origins back to 1910 under French colonial rule and reshaped into its modern form in 1967 at the will of Tunisia's first president, Habib Bourguiba, the festival is widely regarded as Tunisia's oldest and best-known cultural festival, giving it a claim to seniority even among the country's many historic-site summer events

02

The mystery stays covered

Held in the H'naiech stadium at the end of December, it draws more than 50,000 attendees for a program built around Saharan Bedouin and Berber traditions rather than staged concerts, including camel marathons, fantasia displays of galloping Arab horses ridden by daring riders, a reenacted Bedouin wedding, and demonstrations of sloughi desert hunting dogs pursuing rabbits

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival showcases Berber and Bedouin desert traditions of southern Tunisia

Water and renewal

Living ritual

including fantasia horsemanship

The sacred route

Living ritual

camel racing

The local code

Living ritual

sloughi hunting dogs

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and staged Bedouin wedding customs

Tradition 6

Living ritual

practices tied to the historic caravan and pastoral culture of the pre-Saharan region around Douz

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually December

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Douz you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Warm layers are essential, since Douz sits on the edge of the Sahara and December nights turn cold quickly after warm daytime sun; comfortable, sturdy footwear suits the sandy stadium...

Safety

International Festival of the Sahara is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after International Festival of the Sahara does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

["ar"] · TND

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map33.46 N, 9.02 EOpen in Google Maps

Douz, Kebili, Tunisia

Nearest airportGAE — Gabès Matmata
TransportStay close enough to the part of Douz you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after International Festival of the Sahara does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Douz via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Douz, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for December.Compare faresFestival gearWarm layers are essential, since Douz sits on the edge of the Sahara and December nights turn cold quickly after warm daytime sun; comfortable, sturdy footwear suits the sandy stadium grounds.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Tunisia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is International Festival of the Sahara?

International Festival of the Sahara is listed for December · Winter. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does International Festival of the Sahara take place?

The festival is listed in Douz, Tunisia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Winter is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Douz, Kebili, Tunisia

How big is it?

Medium: 50000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually December
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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