# Sfax International Festival

The Sfax International Festival brings Tunisian and Arab singers to the city's open-air theatre every summer. The 46th edition ran from 21 July to 17 August 2026, with 19 shows on the programme; the 2027 dates have not yet been announced. Sfax is 146 km from Monastir Airport and 10 km from Sfax-Thyna Airport.

Source : https://sabaro-travel.com/en/events/festival-sfax/

## An open-air summer festival

The Sfax International Festival is one of Tunisia's summer festivals, alongside those of Carthage, Hammamet and El Jem. It is held at the Sfax open-air theatre and mixes Tunisian song, star voices from the Arab world, opera, film and stage shows.

## The 2026 edition

The 46th edition ran from 21 July to 17 August 2026, with 19 shows, four of them by guest Arab artists; two concerts were cancelled during the festival. The programme:

| Date | Show |
|---|---|
| 21 July | Nabiha Karaouli, opening night |
| 24 July | Cheb Mami |
| 25 July | Screening of the film *Laqcha Min Essama*, by Sami Massoud |
| 27 July | Wael Jassar |
| 29 July | Lotfi Bouchnak |
| 30 July | Kazo |
| 31 July | *Carmen*, opera |
| 2 August | *Kollouna Noughanni* ("We all sing") |
| 3 August | Chami |
| 4 August | Al Mahfel Al Jerbi |
| 6 August | Morched Boulila's band |
| 7 August | Sanfara, Si El Mehf and Blingos |
| 8 August | Boudchar, cancelled |
| 10 August | Mortadha Ftiti |
| 12 August | *El Ziara* |
| 13 August | Amina Fakhet, cancelled |
| 15 August | *Bessi*, by Jaâfar Guesmi |
| 16 August | Nordo |
| 17 August | Saber Rebai, closing night |

Several headliners tour from one festival to the next: Saber Rebai also opened the 60th [Carthage International Festival](/en/events/festival-international-carthage/) on 16 July 2026.

## In 2027

The 47th edition is expected in summer 2027. Its dates and programme have not yet been announced; this page will be updated as soon as they are.

## Getting to Sfax

Sfax is 146 km from Monastir Airport, about 2 hours by motorway, and 280 km from Tunis-Carthage, about 3 hrs 40. The city has its own airport, Sfax-Thyna, 10 km from the centre, and a station on the main railway line from Tunis. Between concerts, visit the medina, entirely enclosed by medieval ramparts, the Dar Jallouli museum and the city's pastry shops; a one-hour ferry runs to the Kerkennah islands. Our [Mahdia, El Jem and Sfax](/en/tunisia/mahdia-el-jem/) page covers them.

Sabaro has not yet chosen a hotel in Sfax; the [Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour](/en/hotels/iberostar-selection-royal-el-mansour/) in Mahdia is the nearest. In July and August, average highs top 32 °C in Sfax.

In Sfax, racist assaults and anti-migrant violence are reported, which may target anyone perceived to be from sub-Saharan Africa. None of the European foreign ministries Sabaro follows advises against visiting the city. Your country's advice:

(Depends on the traveller's country: see the table on https://sabaro-travel.com/en/events/festival-sfax/)

Our [Tunisia safety guide](/en/guides/securite-tunisie/) has the details, and our [summer festivals guide](/en/guides/festivals-ete-tunisie/) compares the season's festivals.

## Frequently asked questions

### When is the Sfax festival?

In summer, from late July to mid-August. In 2026 the 46th edition ran from 21 July to 17 August.

### Where are the shows held?

At the Sfax open-air theatre.

### Who performs there?

Mainly Tunisian and Arab singers: in 2026, Saber Rebai, Lotfi Bouchnak, Cheb Mami and Wael Jassar, along with an opera, *Carmen*.