El Jem International Symphonic Music Festival
El Jem amphitheatre
The El Jem International Symphonic Music Festival takes place every summer in the town's Roman amphitheatre, a World Heritage Site. The 39th edition ran from 11 July to 15 August 2026; the 40th is expected in summer 2027, on dates not yet published. El Jem is about 1 hr 05 from Monastir Airport.
Dates
Last edition: 11 July 2026 – 15 August 2026. The dates of the next edition have not been announced yet.
Source: Festival international de musique symphonique d'El Jem (officiel) — accessed 20 October 2026
An orchestra in a Roman arena
Every summer the amphitheatre of El Jem turns into a concert hall. Built between 238 and 250 in the Roman town of Thysdrus, it measures 147.90 m by 122.20 m and stands 36 m high, the third or fourth largest amphitheatre of the Roman world, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The festival fills it with orchestras, choirs and soloists from Tunisia and Europe.
The festival was founded on the initiative of Mohamed Ennaceur and has been running for nearly forty years. It is organised by the El Jem International Symphonic Music Festival association.
The 2026 edition
The 39th edition ran from 11 July to 15 August 2026. Its line-up shows the festival's range, from the classical repertoire to film scores and world music:
- opening night: Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas, performed by the Tunis Opera Theatre;
- Austria: the Vienna Opera Ball Orchestra, and violinist Yury Revich with his ensemble My Sound;
- Italy: the OIDA orchestra, with two programmes, Cinecittà / Hollywood and Naples in the Mediterranean;
- Spain: the Camerata de Barcelona, with Colores de España;
- France: the Orphéon orchestra, the Mehdi Haddjeri Band, La Cité des Marmots du 93 and Ouled El Jem, in partnership with the Aubervilliers world music festival.
Ticket prices and concert times were not shown on the festival's official website in October 2026.
In 2027
The 40th edition is expected from July to mid-August 2027, like the previous ones. Its dates and programme have not yet been announced; this page will be updated as soon as they are.
Getting to the concerts
El Jem is 76 km from Monastir Airport, about 1 hr 05 by road, and 43 km from Mahdia, about 50 minutes. The town is also on the main railway line from Tunis to Sfax. The easiest plan is to stay in Mahdia or Sousse and make the return trip on the day of the concert. Our Mahdia, El Jem and Sfax page covers the area and the Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour, Sabaro's chosen hotel in Mahdia.
By day, the amphitheatre can be visited together with the El Jem Museum for 20 Tunisian dinars (TND), about €6, rising to TND 30, about €9, from 1 January 2027. July and August are very hot, so bring water and a hat for a daytime visit. Our summer festivals guide covers the season's other big festivals, including Carthage and Hammamet.
Frequently asked questions
When is the El Jem festival?
In summer, from July to mid-August. In 2026 the 39th edition ran from 11 July to 15 August. The 2027 dates have not yet been published.
Where are the concerts held?
In El Jem's Roman amphitheatre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Where should I stay for the festival?
In Mahdia, 50 minutes away, or in Sousse. Sabaro has not chosen a hotel in El Jem itself.