Aoussou Carnival
Sousse
The Aoussou Carnival takes place every July in Sousse, with a grand parade of floats along the Corniche and Avenue Habib-Bourguiba. The 63rd edition ran from 12 to 26 July 2026, with the parade on 24 July; the 2027 dates have not yet been announced. Sousse is 15 km from Monastir Airport.
Dates
Last edition: 12 July 2026 – 26 July 2026. The dates of the next edition have not been announced yet.
Source: Tunisie Numérique, carnaval d'Aoussou, 63e édition — accessed 20 October 2026
Welcoming the Aoussou
In the Berber farming calendar, the Aoussou is the hottest stretch of the year, from 25 July to early September. Sousse marks its arrival with a carnival that its organisers describe as one of the oldest in Africa and the Arab world. The Tunisian press links it to an ancient festival, Phoenician and then Roman, in honour of Neptune, god of the sea. The origin of the word is debated: some derive it from the Latin Augustus, the month of August, others from Ocean, another name for the sea god. Over time the pagan rite became a great popular festival with no religious meaning.
The carnival also coincides with Republic Day, which commemorates the proclamation of the Tunisian Republic on 25 July 1957.
The 2026 edition
The 63rd edition ran from 12 to 26 July 2026 under the slogan "Aoussou… art and heritage". It was organised by the Aoussou Festival association with the governorate and the city of Sousse.
- Sunday 12 July: opening with a day of games on Boujaafar beach.
- Over two weeks: arts evenings, beach shows and contests, sports competitions and traditional games, and the Republic Day celebrations.
- Friday 24 July: the grand parade, with allegorical floats, brass bands, giant puppets and folk troupes, along the Corniche and Avenue Habib-Bourguiba. Local artists and craftspeople design and build the floats.
In 2027
The 64th edition is expected in July 2027. Its dates have not yet been announced; this page will be updated as soon as they are.
Watching the carnival
The parade is watched along the Corniche. In July, average highs top 32 °C in Sousse and the sea is at 26 °C. Hotels on the Corniche are best placed: the Mövenpick Resort & Marine Spa Sousse, chosen by Sabaro, sits on the seafront 2 km from the centre. At Port El Kantaoui, a few minutes north, the Iberostar Selection Diar el Andalous faces the beach.
Sousse is 15 km from Monastir Airport, a quarter of an hour by road, and linked to it by the Sahel metro. Our Sousse and Port El Kantaoui page covers the medina and beaches, and our summer festivals guide the other July events.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Aoussou Carnival?
In July, around Republic Day on 25 July. In 2026 it ran from 12 to 26 July, with the parade on 24 July.
What does Aoussou mean?
It is the name of the hottest period in the farming calendar, from 25 July to early September. The word's origin is debated: Augustus or Ocean, depending on the author.
Where can I watch the parade?
Along the Sousse Corniche and Avenue Habib-Bourguiba.