Festivals in Jordan: 2026 Cultural Events Guide

Festivals in Jordan: Cultural Events and Travel Guide

Jordan’s festival calendar includes music, film, theatre, dance, poetry, heritage, food, family activities and destination-based celebrations.

The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts is one of the country’s best-known cultural events, but festivals and seasonal programs also take place in Amman, Aqaba, the Dead Sea, Madaba and other destinations.

This guide includes festivals only when a current official or organiser source can be identified. Dates change, and some events do not operate every year. Each entry should therefore show a verification status instead of presenting an old festival calendar as current information.

Information checked: 22 July 2026
Confirm dates, venues, performers and tickets through Jordan’s official events calendar and the event organiser before travelling.

Festivals in Jordan at a Glance

Festival or event	2026 date or status	Destination	Main focus	Verification
Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts	23 July–2 August 2026	Jerash	Music, theatre, dance and culture	Confirmed
Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film	26 July–3 August 2026	Amman	Arab and international debut filmmaking	Confirmed
Jordan Summer Festival	26 June–28 August 2026	Multiple events and destinations	Summer entertainment	Overall period confirmed; individual events require checking
Amwaj Al Aqaba Festival	27–28 August 2026	Aqaba	Music, poetry and cultural performance	Confirmed
Al Aqaba Festival	Separate Aqaba entries appear in the official calendar	Aqaba	Destination events	Verify each event page
Regional and community festivals	Dates vary	Across Jordan	Heritage, food, arts and community culture	Include only after current confirmation

This is not a list of Jordanian public holidays. Religious occasions and national days can influence travel and cultural programming, but they should not automatically be classified as ticketed festivals.

Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts

The Jerash Festival is one of Jordan’s most established cultural events.

Founded in 1981, it presents Jordanian, Arab and international performers within the historical setting of Jerash.

The 2026 festival runs from 23 July to 2 August and is officially described as the 40th edition.

Its published program includes major Arab concerts, Jordanian and alternative music, dance, musical theatre, heritage ensembles, orchestral performances and visual shows.

The official Gold and Silver Festival Pass descriptions state that the program covers 22 performances across the North and South Theatres. At the time of verification, 20 performances were individually named on the public calendar.

Plan Your Jerash Festival Visit

Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film

The Amman International Film Festival focuses on first-time achievements in filmmaking, with particular attention to Arab cinema.

The festival also includes Amman Film Industry Days, an industry section supporting professional filmmakers through training, networking, pitching and market activities.

Jordan’s official events calendar lists the seventh edition from 26 July to 3 August 2026 in Amman.

Check the official Amman International Film Festival listing

Before attending, verify:

Screening schedule
Cinema or venue
Ticket availability
Film language
Subtitle language
Age classification
Accreditation requirements
Industry-event access

Do not assume that one festival ticket provides access to every screening or professional activity.

Jordan Summer Festival

Jordan’s official events calendar lists the Jordan Summer Festival period from 26 June to 28 August 2026.

This should not be presented as one continuous event in a single venue. The summer program may include separately organised and ticketed concerts or activities in different destinations.

For each event, verify:

City
Venue
Date
Starting time
Performer
Ticket seller
Admission price
Age restrictions

View Jordan’s official events calendar

WowJordan should create individual event listings only when the exact information can be supported by a current official source.

Amwaj Al Aqaba Festival

The Jordan Tourism Board calendar lists Amwaj Al Aqaba Festival for 27–28 August 2026.

Its official description presents it as a seaside cultural celebration involving music, poetry and performances in Aqaba.

View the official Amwaj Al Aqaba Festival listing

WowJordan also has an Amwaj Aqaba Festival category.

Before linking this category prominently, review its existing content and archive or update outdated 2025 descriptions so they do not conflict with the 2026 event.

The category should clearly separate:

Current events
Upcoming events
Completed events
Festival background
Vendor or sponsor listings

Al Aqaba Festival and Other Aqaba Events

Jordan’s official events calendar contains separately dated festival and entertainment entries for Aqaba.

These should be treated as individual events rather than merged automatically into Amwaj Al Aqaba Festival.

Before publishing an Aqaba festival entry, verify:

Exact official name
Organiser
Date
Venue
Whether it belongs to a larger festival
Whether entry is free or ticketed
Official booking or registration link

Aqaba’s event landscape can include music, seaside activities, sports, family programming and tourism promotions. Accurate categorisation will prevent multiple unrelated programs from being presented as one festival.

Music Festivals and Concert Seasons

Jordan hosts concerts and performing-arts events throughout the year, particularly in:

Amman
Jerash
Petra
Aqaba
The Dead Sea

Not every concert is a festival.

WowJordan should classify content accurately:

Classification	Meaning
Festival	A multi-event or multi-day cultural program
Concert	One music performance or combined bill
Performance	Theatre, dance or staged visual production
Community event	A locally organised cultural or social activity
Season	A group of separately scheduled events over an extended period
Exhibition	A visual, historical, commercial or cultural display

This distinction improves search relevance and prevents a misleading festival calendar.

Film Festivals in Jordan

Film events can connect international visitors with Jordanian and Arab storytelling while supporting local filmmakers and production professionals.

A useful film-festival listing should include:

Festival dates
Screening venues
Film program
Languages and subtitles
Ticket details
Industry activities
Workshops
Guest filmmakers
Accessibility information
Official booking source

Do not list a film festival based only on an older edition. Confirm that the current edition has been announced.

Heritage and Community Festivals

Regional and community festivals can highlight:

Handicrafts
Food
Agriculture
Music
Oral history
Traditional dress
Dance
Local products
Community identity

These festivals may be commercially smaller than major concerts but can create more direct economic value for residents and small businesses.

Before publishing a community festival, verify:

Organiser name
Current-year dates
Exact town or village
Program
Opening times
Free or ticketed entry
Contact information
Parking or transport
Whether the event is annual or one-time

Do not copy a previous year’s dates into a current guide.

Food Festivals in Jordan

Food events can introduce visitors to Jordanian ingredients, regional dishes and local producers.

Potential subjects may include:

Olive and olive-oil seasons
Dates and agricultural products
Jordanian cooking
Local bread and dairy products
Community food markets
Regional dishes
Chef demonstrations

However, an attractive poster or old social-media announcement is not sufficient confirmation.

WowJordan should require a current organiser source before adding:

Festival date
Location
Vendors
Entry price
Opening hours
Sponsor information

Food-festival content should also avoid presenting one regional dish as representative of every Jordanian community.

Religious and National Occasions

Religious occasions and national days can influence events, opening hours, transport and visitor experiences.

Examples may include:

Ramadan cultural evenings
Eid celebrations
Independence Day activities
Christmas events
New Year celebrations

These occasions should be classified carefully.

A religious or national occasion is not automatically a festival. WowJordan should describe the specific public program, event or celebration rather than treating the occasion itself as a commercial tourism product.

Ramadan dates also move each year according to the Islamic lunar calendar. Do not reuse previous-year dates.

Festivals in Jordan by Season

Spring Festivals and Events

Spring can support:

Outdoor cultural events
Nature activities
Community festivals
Heritage events
Walking programs
Food and agricultural events

Dates may be affected by Ramadan, Eid and changing seasonal conditions.

Include an event only after its current program is announced.

Summer Festivals and Events

Summer is the strongest season for large evening festivals and concerts.

The 2026 calendar includes:

Jerash Festival
Amman International Film Festival
Jordan Summer Festival programming
Aqaba cultural events

Visitors should prepare for:

Daytime heat
Outdoor venues
Late finishing times
Increased traffic
Limited ticket availability
Higher accommodation demand around major events

Autumn Festivals and Events

Autumn can support:

Food festivals
Agricultural events
Outdoor programs
Community activities
Music and cultural events

It can also be a useful travel period for combining festivals with walking, heritage and nature experiences.

Current dates must still be verified.

Winter Festivals and Events

Winter programming is more likely to use indoor venues or warmer destinations such as Aqaba.

Outdoor events can still take place, but visitors should check:

Weather
Road conditions
Venue changes
Cancellation policies
Indoor alternatives

How to Plan a Festival-Based Jordan Trip

Confirm the Event Before Booking Travel

Verify the event date, venue and official ticket before booking non-refundable accommodation or transport.

Check the Exact Venue

A city name is not enough.

Major destinations can contain several:

Theatres
Hotels
Cultural centres
Archaeological venues
Convention centres
Outdoor event spaces

Save the exact venue and entrance.

Arrange Late Transport

Many concerts and performances finish late.

Confirm how you will return to your hotel before travelling to the venue. Do not assume that daytime public transport continues after the event.

Build a Realistic Day

Avoid combining an exhausting full-day itinerary with a late concert unless there is enough time to rest.

For example, a visitor attending Jerash Festival should not attempt to combine Amman, Jerash, Ajloun and a late performance without private transport and careful timing.

Review the Event on the Same Day

Schedules can change due to operational, weather or wider circumstances.

Use the organiser and official ticket source for the final check.

For wider planning, read WowJordan’s complete travel to Jordan guide and guide to Jordan’s major attractions.

How WowJordan Verifies Festivals

A festival should be labelled confirmed only when supported by at least one reliable current source:

Jordan Tourism Board events calendar
Relevant government ministry
Municipality or official tourism authority
Official festival website
Verified organiser channel
Official ticketing page linked by the organiser
Venue announcement identifying the event and date

Recognised media can support background and reporting, but it should not override the organiser on:

Dates
Tickets
Venue changes
Cancellations
Refunds
Entry conditions

Every WowJordan festival entry should show:

Last checked date
Official source
Current status
Festival dates
Venue
Ticket or free-entry status
Booking link
Completed-event label after it ends

Confirmed, Announced and Unconfirmed Events

Use clear status labels:

Confirmed

The current date and event are supported by an official source.

Announced

The organiser has announced the event, but important details such as the full program, venue or tickets are still missing.

Expected but Not Confirmed

The event has taken place previously, but the current edition has not been officially announced.

Do not publish an estimated date.

Completed

The event has ended. Remove expired booking CTAs but keep the verified historical information.

Cancelled or Postponed

Show the official status, announcement date and source. Do not delete the original event without explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best-known festival in Jordan?

Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts is one of Jordan’s most established and internationally recognised cultural festivals.

When is Jerash Festival 2026?

The official festival period is 23 July to 2 August 2026.

What festivals take place in Jordan during summer?

The 2026 official calendar includes Jerash Festival, Amman International Film Festival, Jordan Summer Festival programming and cultural events in Aqaba. Each program should be checked separately.

Are all festivals in Jordan ticketed?

No. Some concerts and performances require tickets, while community or public activities may be free.

Are Jordan’s festivals suitable for international visitors?

Many events are open to international visitors, but language, entry rules, transport and cultural context vary. Check the official event description before attending.

Where can official festival dates be verified?

Start with Jordan’s official events calendar, then confirm the information through the organiser and authorised ticket seller.

Does Jordan have festivals outside Amman?

Yes. Cultural and destination events take place in locations including Jerash, Aqaba, Petra, the Dead Sea, Madaba and other governorates.