Updated 01 October 2025
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6 Arab cultural festivals bringing heritage to global stages

6 Arab cultural festivals bringing heritage to global stages

From Europe to North America, these six cultural festivals spotlight Arab heritage, creativity and performance for international audiences.

  • Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 

    Every July, Liverpool hosts the UK’s longest-running celebration of Arab culture, featuring everything from live music and film screenings to dance performances, exhibitions, and family events across the city.

  • Festival du Monde Arabe de Montreal

    This Canadian festival offers a wide-ranging program of concerts, cinema, theater and talks, while encouraging cross-cultural projects between Arab and Western artists.

  • SOUK — Amsterdam Arabic Festival

    A biannual celebration of Arabic music, poetry, dance, and art, SOUK is staged at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. It merges tradition with contemporary performances.

  • ArabFest

    Every spring in Prague and Pilsen, ArabFest hosts concerts, exhibitions, lectures and workshops to introduce Czech audiences to both traditional and contemporary Arab culture.

  • Arabesques Festival

    Held every September in Montpellier, France, Arabesques is Europe’s largest festival dedicated to Arab art. It showcases stage productions, music ensembles, visual exhibitions and public conversations.

  • Al-Ard Film Festival

    Held in Cagliari, Italy, this film festival focuses on Arab cinema, with a strong emphasis on Palestinian stories, offering screenings and discussions for European audiences.