Carthage Music Days

The Carthage Music Days (JMC, Journées musicales de Carthage) are the contemporary music festival of Tunis and its suburb of Carthage: jazz, experimental work, urban music and scenes from Africa and the Middle East. They belong to the family of major "Carthage" cultural events, alongside the Theatre Days and the Film Festival, whose 2026 dates the Ministry of Cultural Affairs announced together in May. The latest edition, the 11th, ran from Saturday 3 to Saturday 10 October 2026. Dates for 2027 have not yet been announced.

A Mediterranean in motion

The 2026 edition took the Mediterranean basin as its common thread, seen as a bridge between its North African, African, Arab and European shores. Artistic director Mondher Fellah, a musician and producer, and the selection committee chose 26 projects from 378 applications from every continent.

The guest country was Brazil, a first in the festival's history, represented by singer Anna Tréa and her "Sola 360" project.

The 2026 line-up

• Jazz and experimental: the Wajdi Riahi Trio, between Tunisia and Belgium, Um/Welt by Italian Marco Centasso, the Jim Monneau Quintet and Emma Prat from France.
• Africa and the Middle East: Egyptian singer Youssra El Hawary and Senegalese artist Sahad Sarr.
• Contemporary scene: Alkalssat from the West Bank and Béchir Jelassi's Groove Alert.
• Tunisian scene: Jathb, Dilaw, Molka, Broua, Gultrah Sound System, Issam Eddine Absi and others.
• Other countries: Solak Balik and Neno from France, Passepartout from Italy, Sarab from Syria and Moroccan singer Leila Chakir.

A calendar settling down

The 10th edition was held from 18 to 24 January 2025, outside its usual slot. With the 2026 edition, the JMC returned to early October. The festival is run by its artistic team together with the public body responsible for festivals and cultural events.

Visiting Carthage in October

Weather. In October average highs are around 27°C in Tunis and the sea is still 23°C, so concerts combine with swimming. Our Carthage and Sidi Bou Said page covers the ruins and the village.

Time zone. Tunisia is on UTC+1 all year round: in early October, it is the same time as London.

Where to stay. Near Carthage, Villa Didon on Byrsa Hill and Maison Dedine in Sidi Bou Said; in Gammarth, The Residence Tunis, whose beach closes in mid-October, and the Four Seasons Hotel Tunis. The tourist tax of TND 12 per person per night in 4- and 5-star hotels is paid at the hotel.

Tunis's other autumn events are the Carthage Theatre Days in November and the Carthage Film Festival in December. Our safety in Tunisia guide gives the advice for Tunis and its suburbs.