Festival Arabesques
Arts of the Arab world in Montpellier, Hérault
2026
About Festival Arabesques
Festival Arabesques — edition 2026
21st edition of the Arabesques Festival, the largest gathering of arts from the Arab world in Europe, from September 8 to 20, 2026 in Montpellier. Concerts, storytelling, stand-up, exhibitions and meetings around Arab world cultures, notably featuring Oum, Bachar Mar-Khalifé, Imarhan, the Anouar Brahem Quartet, Yasmine Hamdan and Souad Massi.
Arabesques Festival 2026 — 21st Edition
The 21st edition of the Arabesques Festival takes place from September 8 to 20, 2026 in Montpellier (Hérault). Organized by the UNi'SONS association, this festival has become the most important cultural event dedicated to the Arab world in Europe, gathering more than 20,000 spectators each year over a period of about fifteen days.
The program blends music, theater, storytelling, stand-up, exhibitions, conferences, children's workshops and literary meetings. Performances are held in several emblematic venues of the city: the Opéra Comédie, the Halle Tropisme, the Théâtre Jean-Claude Carrière and the Domaine d'O, the true heart of the festival.
Highlights Festival Arabesques 2026
- Oum's opening concert at the Opéra Comédie
- The Sahravane project (Souad Asla, Omar Sosa & Lemma)
- Souad Massi's closing concert
- Largest festival of Arab world arts in Europe
Programme Festival Arabesques 2026
Tuesday, September 8th — Opéra Comédie
- Oum — Opening concert (Moroccan singer)
Wednesday, September 9th — Opéra Comédie
- Bachar Mar-Khalifé (Franco-Lebanese musician)
Friday, September 11th — Domaine d'O
- Imarhan (Tuareg band)
- Anouar Brahem Quartet
Saturday, September 12th — Domaine d'O
- L'Antidote
- Zar Electrik + Temenik Electric
- Sahravane: Souad Asla, Omar Sosa & Lemma — A musical journey between the Sahara and Cuba
- Jihad Darwiche (storytelling, September 12th and 13th)
Sunday, September 13th — Domaine d'O
- Meryem Aboulouafa
- Amine Radi (stand-up comedy)
- Daoud (trumpeter)
- Zina Daoudia
Thursday, September 17th — Halle Tropisme
- Arabesques Sound System — All-female lineup, from 7:30 PM to 12:45 AM: Kbira, Yasmina Karrum, La Louuve
Friday, September 18th — Domaine d'O
- Sofiane Saïdi with Théo & Valentin Ceccaldi
- Ino · Casablanca
Saturday, September 19th — Domaine d'O
- Merwane Benlazar
- Yasmine Hamdan
- Emel + Camélia Jordana
- Ali Merghache (September 19th and 20th)
Sunday, September 20th — Domaine d'O
- Abdullah Miniawy
- Samifati & Transe Gnawa Express
- Abdelkader Secteur
- Souad Massi (closing concert)
Prices Festival Arabesques 2026
Practical information — Festival Arabesques
Practical Information
Venues
The festival is held at several locations across Montpellier and its metropolitan area: Domaine d'O, Opéra Comédie, Halle Tropisme, and various public spaces.
Access
Montpellier is accessible via TGV (Saint-Roch and Sud de France stations) and the city's tram network, which provides service to the Domaine d'O and the city center. Please check the official website for specific directions to each venue.
Ticketing
Ticketing information and concert prices are available on the official festival website.
Organizer
Association Uni'Sons — official website: festivalarabesques.fr
Festival Arabesques in Montpellier
The Festival Arabesques is a cornerstone of the cultural scene in Montpellier and the Hérault department in Occitanie. Established in 2006 by the Montpellier-based association Uni'Sons, it has grown into Europe's leading festival dedicated to the arts of the Arab world.
Overview
Every September, the festival presents a multidisciplinary program featuring music, theater, storytelling, cinema, dance, calligraphy, exhibitions, and discussions. It showcases artists from the Arab world and those inspired by its culture, fostering a dialogue between both shores of the Mediterranean.
Iconic Venues Across the City
The festival takes place at various cultural landmarks throughout Montpellier and its metropolitan area, including the Domaine d'O, the Opéra Comédie, and the Halle Tropisme, as well as in public spaces. This multi-venue approach allows for a mix of large-scale concerts, intimate performances, and free events.
A Festival Rooted in Its Region
Organized by the Uni'Sons association, Festival Arabesques plays a vital role in the cultural and tourist appeal of Montpellier, the Hérault department, and the Occitanie region. Over the years, it has established itself as a premier showcase for artists from the Arab world in Europe.
Program
The full program for each edition is released on the official festival website, festivalarabesques.fr, typically in the spring before the event.
Where does it take place — Festival Arabesques
Festival Arabesques in brief
History of Festival Arabesques
Edition 2025 Jul 2025Other festivals near Montpellier
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