Festival International de Sousse

مهرجان سوسة الدولي

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Arts & CultureSousse
DatesDates TBA · Usually SummerCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsAt roughly sixty-seven consecutive editions
Language["ar"]Currency: TND
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Festival International de Sousse in Sousse

The Festival International de Sousse, tracing back to around 1959 and reaching a 67th edition in 2026, is one of Tunisia's oldest municipal summer festivals. Staged at the Theatre de Sidi Dhaher in the coastal city of Sousse, it runs from mid-July into mid-August with roughly twenty music and theater productions, mixing major Tunisian stars with an international guest company each year.

Sousse has been a fortified Mediterranean port since antiquity, and its medina, ribat and kasbah together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has survived Byzantine, Aghlabid, Ottoman and French colonial control.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

At roughly sixty-seven consecutive editions, the Festival International de Sousse is among the longest-running festivals of its kind in Tunisia, predating most of the country's other municipal summer festivals by two decades or more

02

The mystery stays covered

Its 2026 program at the Theatre de Sidi Dhaher paired twenty productions, fourteen music shows and six theater plays, featuring top-tier Tunisian names such as Saber Rebai, Lotfi Bouchnak and Zied Gharsa alongside a single international guest company, the Beijing National Opera, an unusually ambitious booking for a municipal festival

03

The city starts moving

Sousse's medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the festival functions as the city's flagship annual cultural event, distinct from the smaller entertainment strip along the Boulevard 14 Janvier and resort-area programming in nearby Port El Kantaoui

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Sousse's medina

Water and renewal

Living ritual

ribat and kasbah form a UNESCO World Heritage Site reflecting the city's long history as a fortified Mediterranean port

The sacred route

Living ritual

the Festival International de Sousse

The local code

Living ritual

running since the years just before Tunisian independence in 1956

Tradition 5

Living ritual

follows the same civic model as other Tunisian municipal summer theaters

Tradition 6

Living ritual

using a dedicated venue

Tradition 7

Living ritual

the Theatre de Sidi Dhaher

Tradition 8

Living ritual

to anchor an annual mix of homegrown and touring performance that has become part of the city's cultural identity across more than six decades

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually Summer

Getting around

For Festival International de Sousse, plan transport around the exact Sousse venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light summer clothing suited to Sousse's hot, humid Mediterranean coastal evenings, with a light wrap for any sea breeze, and comfortable shoes for a theater venue with outdoor seating...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Festival International de Sousse, stay near the part of Sousse you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

["ar"] · TND

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.83 N, 10.64 EOpen in Google Maps

Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

Nearest airportTUN — Tunis Carthage
TransportFor Festival International de Sousse, plan transport around the exact Sousse venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Festival International de Sousse, stay near the part of Sousse you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Sousse via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Sousse, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearLight summer clothing suited to Sousse's hot, humid Mediterranean coastal evenings, with a light wrap for any sea breeze, and comfortable shoes for a theater venue with outdoor seating areas.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 Festival International de Sousse?

Festival International de Sousse is listed for Multiple months · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Festival International de Sousse take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

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

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

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 URLtunis.events
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually Summer
Source statusOfficial source linked
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