The Douz Sahara Festival, or International Festival of the Sahara, celebrates Bedouin culture at the gateway to the Tunisian desert at the end of every year. For four days, the town hosts horse and camel races, parades, poetry, music and crafts. The 58th edition is announced for December 19 to 22, 2026.
Origins and meaning of the festival
Douz calls itself the “pearl of the Tunisian desert.” The festival showcases the region's Bedouin heritage: the dromedary, the horse, poetry, the music of the gasba (the desert flute), food and crafts.
The organizers also want to keep this heritage alive today. In 2025, the festival's secretary general, Saleh Khalfallah, described it as a way of reconciling the authenticity of Saharan heritage with the demands of modern life, according to WMC.
The Douz Sahara Festival: what you will see
The program changes a little every year but keeps the same structure. Here is the one for the 57th edition, in December 2025.
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Parade from Martyrs' Square to Market Square, Tunisian and foreign folk troupes |
| Day 2, “horse day” | Horse and camel races, equestrian and folk shows on Place Haniche |
| Day 3, “camel day” | Start of the international camel marathon, “Samour” poetry evening |
| Day 4 | Closing on Place Haniche, “Luminous Nights of Douz” on the crafts market square |
Around the official festival, activities take place over several days. In 2025, there was a heritage village at Dar Letaief, an exhibition at the Sahara Museum, poetry evenings at the cultural center and a tourist circuit along the oasis route.
In the days before, a “pre-festival” offered a poetry contest, a Bedouin gasba music contest and a documentary contest about mtabga bread, a local culinary tradition.
Our advice
The horse and camel races are the most spectacular moment. Get to Place Haniche early for a good spot, and keep a safe distance from the animals at full gallop.
Dates and places
The festival is held in Douz, in the Kébili governorate, at the end of the year. The dates change: December 25 to 28 in 2025, and December 19 to 22 announced for 2026 by Tunisie Numérique. In 2025, the detailed program was presented in mid-December at the Cité de la Culture in Tunis.
| Edition | Dates |
|---|---|
| 57th | December 25 to 28, 2025, after a pre-festival from December 22 to 24 |
| 58th | December 19 to 22, 2026 (announced in September 2026) |
Attending the Douz Sahara Festival
Getting there
France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry's travel advice) recommends flying to reach the tourist areas of the southwest. If you rent a car, avoid driving at night off the main roads.
Safety in the south
This is the first thing to check. Douz is not in an area advised against, but the desert begins at the edge of town.
Watch out
According to France Diplomatie, the desert area south and east of the Bir Rjim Maatoug, Borj Bourguiba, Ben Guerdane line is advised against unless absolutely necessary, and all travel is advised against in the Saharan region near the Libyan and Algerian borders. Travel there requires a permit. Before any desert excursion from Douz, check your route on France Diplomatie's map.
The rest of the country, including Douz, is under heightened vigilance. Stay away from crowd surges and keep your ID on you. For camel or 4x4 excursions, go through a recognized agency and stay with a guide. Also check your own government's travel advice.
Accommodation and clothing
The festival falls right in the year-end holidays. Book your hotel or desert camp as soon as the dates are announced.
Our advice
December nights are cold in the desert: bring a warm sweater and a jacket for the evenings. During the day, a hat and sunglasses protect you from the sand and the glare.
Photos and respect
During parades and shows, you are photographing a public scene. Outside of them, ask before photographing anyone, especially women.
Entry requirements
Depending on your nationality, you will either enter Tunisia without a visa or need to apply for one: check your case on our Tunisia entry requirements page. French passport holders can enter without a visa for up to three months, with a passport valid for at least three months after the date of entry. See also our Tunisia page for health and safety, and our calendar of festivals in Tunisia.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates of the Douz Sahara Festival in 2026?
The 58th edition is announced for December 19 to 22, 2026. Some activities may start a few days earlier, as with the 2025 pre-festival. Check the final program in December.
Can you take a desert excursion during the festival?
Yes, but choose a reputable agency and a route outside the areas advised against. Farther south, toward the Libyan and Algerian borders, all travel is advised against and a permit is required.
Do you need to book far in advance?
Yes, as far ahead as you can. The festival coincides with the year-end holidays, and the dates are only known a few months ahead.
