Tabarka Jazz Festival
Théâtre de la Mer, Tabarka
The Tabarka Jazz Festival, founded in 1973, is held at the Théâtre de la Mer in Tabarka, on Tunisia's north-west coast. Its latest edition, the 20th and the first in six years, ran from 2 to 9 July 2026, with seven main-stage concerts and free street concerts every evening. Dates for 2027 have not yet been announced.
Dates
Last edition: 2 July 2026 – 9 July 2026. The dates of the next edition have not been announced yet.
Source: La Presse de Tunisie (13/06/2026) — accessed 20 October 2026
The Tabarka Jazz Festival is the jazz festival of Tabarka, a small port town in north-western Tunisia: concerts take place at the Théâtre de la Mer; in 2026 they started at 10 pm local time, while free street concerts filled the town. After six years' break, its 20th edition was held from 2 to 9 July 2026. No dates have been announced for 2027.
A festival born in 1973
The festival was founded in 1973 by Lotfi Belhassine, who went on to become a major travel entrepreneur, behind Air Liberté and Club Aquarius. The early editions were held in straw huts, with dance, poetry and pottery alongside the music. Dizzy Gillespie played Tabarka; later, "raï weekends" brought great North African voices to the town.
The festival's history has been uneven: organisational problems, financial constraints and cancelled editions, including 2023. It now runs under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, with artistic director Mourad Mathari, who had already helped relaunch it in 1997. It is held in early July, before Tabarka's hotels fill up.
The 2026 edition
Seven concerts followed one another on the main stage, with artists from Tunisia, Algeria, Lebanon, Cuba, the United States and the United Kingdom:
- 3 July: Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez opened the festival;
- 4 July: American gospel and blues singer Liz McComb;
- 5 July: "Osool", a project by Tunisian-American saxophonist Yacine Boularès and Algerian singer Soufiane Saidi;
- 6 July: Lebanese pianist Tarek Yamani;
- 7 July: Dee Dee Bridgewater and her "We Exist" project;
- 9 July: closing night with Veronica Swift and Akua Naru.
Street Jazz, free of charge, filled the town's public spaces every evening from 7:30 pm: Djamel Laroussi, Mão Cabeça, Innēr Sense and Tunisian bands including Mohamed Ali Kammoun's "Jazzna", Fawzi Chekili's "Taqasim Revival" and Aziz Zouaoui's Siroko. Daily shuttles linked the Cité de la Culture in Tunis with Tabarka.
Getting to Tabarka for the festival
By road. Tabarka is 171 km from Tunis-Carthage Airport, about 2 h 45 by road. Tabarka's own airport received only seasonal charter flights from Prague and Poland in 2026.
Where to stay. The hotel chosen by Sabaro is La Cigale Tabarka, a five-star hotel with thalasso and golf, 2 km from the centre; rates on request.
The season. In July, average highs reach 32°C in Tabarka and the sea 25.6°C. The festival combines well with diving and golf, covered on our Tabarka and Kroumirie page.
Safety. Tabarka is about ten kilometres from the Algerian border. European foreign ministries do not all draw the same areas they advise against near this border: some advise against all travel within 30 km of it, which includes Tabarka. Your country's advice:
| Country | Official advice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | The country is under heightened vigilance and a state of emergency in force since 24 November 2015. Keep away from demonstrations and from places where security forces are posted, avoid night travel off the main roads, and fly or use the motorway to reach the south-west. A passport has been compulsory since 1 January 2025. Advised against (red): the far-south Saharan area near Libya and Algeria (military zone created in August 2013, entry by prior permit), the town of Ben Guerdane, and Mounts Orbata, Selloum, Semmama, Chaambi and Mghila. Advised against unless essential (orange): the desert south and east of the Bir Rjim Maatoug – Borj Bourguiba – Ben Guerdane line; the areas between Mounts Chaambi, Semmama and Mghila, south of Mount Selloum and around Mount Orbata; in Jendouba and Le Kef governorates, a 5 km strip along the Algerian border except roads to official crossings. Check with the authorities before visiting rural areas between Kasserine, Sbeitla, Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa off the Gafsa-Kasserine and Gafsa-Sidi Bouzid roads. Table de Jugurtha (Le Kef): on organised tours with a guide. Its map, dated 4 February 2026, also shows an orange strip along the whole Algerian border. | Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France Diplomatie), Conseils aux voyageurs, Sécurité (Site last updated 15 September 2026) |
| Belgium | With due vigilance, travellers may visit Tunisia except the border areas with Algeria and Libya. Outside the coastal zone, use certified tour operators and agencies in close contact with the Tunisian security services. Heat (over 40 °C) and forest fires in summer. Strongly advised against: the Algerian border area west of the Jendouba – Le Kef – Kasserine – Feriana – Tameghza (Tamerza) axis, and the mountain areas of Kasserine and Le Kef governorates; the Libyan border area south of the Rjim Maatoug – Bir Ellouza – Bir Aouine – Borj Bourguiba – Remada – Ben Guerdane axis (military zone). Travel in the far south requires a permit from Tataouine governorate. | SPF Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement (Belgique), Conseils aux voyageurs (Site last updated 2 October 2026) |
| Switzerland | Travel to Tunisia is considered generally safe. The political, social and economic situation is tense (demonstrations, strikes, possible curfews); the 2015 state of emergency remains in force and the risk of terrorist attacks persists nationwide. Reach your destination before nightfall. Advised against: the Algerian border area west of the Tabarka – Tozeur road, including the whole of Kasserine governorate (kidnapping risk in the Chaambi, Selloum and Mghila mountains); the Libyan border region. Tourist and non-urgent travel advised against south of the line Algerian border – Tozeur – Douz – Tataouine – Zarzis. The towns of Tabarka, Tozeur, Douz, Tataouine and Zarzis may be visited with the stated precautions; desert trips only in a group with a reliable local guide. | Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE, Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages (Site last updated 3 November 2025) |
| United Kingdom | Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia; higher risk around religious and tourist sites, festivals, government buildings and places where foreigners gather. State of emergency since 2015, frequent checkpoints. Demonstrations mostly at weekends and on national dates (14 January, 17 December). Possible power cuts in summer. Against all travel: Chaambi Mountains National Park; military operations zones of Mounts Salloum, Sammamma and Mghila; the militarised zone south of El Borma and Dhehiba; within 20 km of the Libyan border north of Dhehiba; Ben Guerdane and its surroundings. Against all but essential travel: north and west of Ghardimaou (Jendouba governorate), including El Feidja National Park; within 20 km of the Algerian border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of Jendouba town, including Chemtou; the whole of Kasserine governorate, including Sbeitla; within 10 km of the rest of the Algerian border south of Kasserine governorate; within 10 km of Mount Mghila; Mount Orbata; within 75 km of the Libyan border, including Remada and El Borma, excluding Zarzis, the C118 road and Medenine governorate north of it. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate travel insurance. | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO, ministère britannique des affaires étrangères), Foreign travel advice (Site last updated 24 July 2026) |
| Germany | The security situation has broadly stabilised, but the terrorist risk remains high, including at busy tourist spots; stronger police presence in summer. State of emergency nationwide. Decree-Law 54 provides up to ten years in prison for spreading 'false information' online. Desert trips only in organised groups with a guide. Travel advised against: south and south-east of the line Algerian border – Tozeur/Nefta – Douz – Ksar Ghilane – Tataouine – Zarzis; the immediate Algerian border area, especially the mountains from Ain Draham to Kasserine governorate inclusive; Mounts Chaambi, Selloum and Mghila; individual, unorganised desert tours. Ben Guerdane and surroundings: particularly tense. A strip of about 20 km along the Libyan border and part of the southern Algerian border are military zones closed without a governorate permit. | Auswärtiges Amt (ministère fédéral des affaires étrangères, Allemagne), Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Site last updated 6 October 2026) |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg's foreign ministry publishes no Tunisia-specific advice: it refers travellers to the travel advice of Belgium, France and Germany. | Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes, de la Défense, de la Coopération et du Commerce extérieur (Luxembourg), Avis de voyage (accessed 20 October 2026) |
| Ireland | High degree of caution and strong security awareness; state of emergency since 24 November 2015. Avoid unnecessary travel, especially at night outside urban areas, and demonstrations (frequent on Friday afternoons in city centres). Do not travel: Chaambi Mountain National Park; within 30 km of the borders with Algeria and Libya; Ben Guerdane and surroundings; the militarised zone of Tataouine governorate south of (but not including) El Borma. National Guard permission needed for some desert areas near the Algerian border. | Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA, ministère irlandais des affaires étrangères), Travel advice (Site last updated 16 July 2025) |
| Sweden | Since 30 March 2023, following an improved security situation, the Swedish ministry only advises against specific border and mountain areas. Against all travel: within 30 km of the Libyan border and Ben Guerdane; the militarised Chaambi, Samamma, Mghila, Selloum and Orbata mountains; the area south of El Borma and Dhehiba. Against non-essential travel: within 30 km of the Algerian border south of Jendouba town, except the Table de Jugurtha plateau; within 5 km of the Algerian border from Gafsa region southwards, except the town of Tamaghza (Tamerza). | Utrikesdepartementet (UD, ministère suédois des affaires étrangères), UD avråder (Site last updated 30 March 2023) |
| Denmark | The whole country except the orange and red zones: stay alert and follow the authorities, media and your travel agency. High terrorist risk; state of emergency, checks at tourist sites, photo ID compulsory. Do not go alone into the mountains or desert: use recognised agencies and guides. Red (very high risk): Mounts Chaambi, Salloum, Sammamma, Mghila and Orbata; the area south of a line passing south of El Borma and Remada and north of Ben Guerdane. Orange (non-essential travel advised against): the Algerian border area from south of Jendouba and Ghardimaou (P6 road) to El Borma, except Jendouba, Le Kef and Dahmani towns (yellow); Kasserine governorate except Kasserine town (yellow); the area south of a line from El Borma to south of Zarzis, including Remada but not Tataouine (yellow). | Udenrigsministeriet (ministère danois des affaires étrangères), Rejsevejledninger (Site last updated 18 May 2026) |
| Poland | State of emergency in force; photographing military and government sites or security forces is forbidden (arrest of at least 5 days possible). After the summer 2026 heatwave, electricity, running water and fuel supplies are back to normal and bottled water is gradually returning to shops. Level 3: region 1, the Sahara and desert areas near the Algerian and Libyan borders, excluding tourist routes; region 2, the central-western mountains (Mounts Orbata, Selloum, Semmama, Chaambi and Mghila). | Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych (ministère polonais des affaires étrangères), service Odyseusz (Site last updated 3 September 2026) |
| Czechia | Increased caution during the stay, especially outside hotel resorts; avoid crowded places off the usual routes, isolated areas and going out at night; restrict photos to resorts and monuments, no public buildings or strangers. State of emergency since 24/11/2015. Warning against travel: areas near the Algerian and Libyan borders; mountains of Kasserine and Le Kef governorates; towns around Siliana and Kasserine; the desert south of the Bir Rjim Maatoug – Borj Bourguiba – Ben Guerdane line; the north-western mountains. The country sheet adds: high risk west of the Ain Draham – Jendouba – Le Kef – Kasserine – Sidi Bouzid – Gafsa – Tozeur line and south of the Tozeur – Kebili – Medenine – Zarzis line; south of Tataouine, military zone, governorate permit to request 4 to 6 weeks ahead outside organised tours. | Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí (ministère tchèque des affaires étrangères), Upozornění na cesty (Site last updated 10 April 2025) |
| Netherlands | Yellow for most of the country: specific security risks. Red, do not travel: the border area with Libya, largely a military zone, especially south of Ben Gardane; the desert areas south of the Al Borma – Remada – Ben Gardane line (criminals and terrorist groups, increased kidnapping risk); the Algerian border from west of the town of El Kef southwards, keeping at least 2 km from the border; the Chaambi massif and the Mghila, Semmama and Salloum mountains (armed clashes, explosives and landmines). Orange, essential travel only: the area between the south of the town of Tataouine and the Al Borma – Remada – Ben Gardane line; the town of Kasserine and its surroundings. Limited terrorist threat, state of emergency since 2015, road checks; outside the coastal area, travel with tour operators and agencies certified by the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism. Regular demonstrations, especially in Tunis. | Nederland Wereldwijd (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), Reisadvies Tunesië (Site last updated 17 September 2026) |
| Norway | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | |
| Austria | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | |
| Italy | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | |
| Spain | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | |
| Portugal | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | |
| Finland | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | |
Our safety in Tunisia guide has the details.
For the rest of the summer, the festivals of Carthage, Hammamet and Dougga take over; see our summer festivals in Tunisia guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Tabarka Jazz Festival in 2027?
The dates have not been announced yet. The latest edition ran from 2 to 9 July 2026, the first in six years.
Are the concerts free?
In 2026 the Street Jazz concerts were, every evening from 7:30 pm. That was the part of the programme announced as free; the Théâtre de la Mer concerts started at 10 pm.
Who founded the Tabarka jazz festival?
Lotfi Belhassine, in 1973. Dizzy Gillespie is among the legends who played there.