Algeria Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Algeria, DZ, North Africa)

Algeria's calendar of events has become somewhat depleted during recent years because of internal conflict. Nonetheless, it is still possible to enjoy a wide range of things to do, festivals and fairs, many of which celebrate the culture, music, crafts and food of Algeria. In fact, there are reported to be over 200 small, local festivals held throughout the country at some time during the year.

This country also stages several high-profile sporting events, as visitors converge on Algeria to test their stamina in the hostile desert environment.

Algeria Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• National Amazigh Film Festival - held in Sidi Bel Abbes in Western Algeria. Includes full length films, short films, documentaries and animation

February

• Western Sahara Marathon - held in late February starting from the Sahrawi refugee camp in Tindouf. With races over a variety of distances, from 5 Km to 41 Km

March

• Ghardaia Carpet Festival - held in mid-March, a lively event also incorporating a procession with traditional music. Carpet weavers come from all over the country to exhibit and sell their carpets, and participate in competitions

April

• Strawberry Festival - held every two years in Jijel. The fair attracts various partners involved in strawberry cultivation. The event includes an exhibition of strawberry growing
• Marathon des Dunes - runners from all over the world converge in the Algerian oasis town of Béchar, intent on completing this three-stage desert race

May

• European Cultural Festival - held in early-May, dozens of artists from some 16 countries arrive in Algiers, Constantine and Tlemcen to perform traditional rhythms, flamenco and jazz music
• Dimajazz Festival - held in Constantine over eight days each May. Features well-known artists from all over Africa, as well as Asia, the USA, Europe and South America
• Festival Internacional de Cine del Sahara - held in the refugee camps of southwest Algiera, near the border with Western Sahara. The festival brings film to the relatively isolated communities of the Sahrawis. Spanish films tend to dominate the programme. The winning film's director receives the unusual award of a white camel
• Exposervices - held at the Palais des Expositions d'Alger in Algiers over the course of three days

June

• National Day - 19th June, the national anniversary of the overthrow of Mohammed Ben Bella in 1965

July

• Pan-African Cultural Festival (PanAf) - various performances, displays and events are staged in Algiers, Bourmerdes, Blida, Tipaza and other locations in Algeria. This event was first staged in 1969, and then again in 2009, and so may not necessarily take place every year. When it does, it attracts some 8,000 artists from the worlds of art and, music, literature and the theatre in the African Union
• Independence Day - held on 5th July, Algerians celebrate the anniversary of Independence from France in 1962

August

• Festival du Rai d'Oran - this national event of 'rai' music (a fusion of Arabic and Algerian folk / Western rock music) is a colourful event, featuring over 50 artists

September

• There are no significant festivals in Algeria during the month of September

October

• Festival International Bande Dessinee d'Alger - showcases the work of cartoonists from Algeria and from further afield. Fans of the comic genre can look forward to an exhibition of artists' work, workshops, concerts and the festival competition

November

• National Day - November 1st, a national holiday with many local festivities
• Eid al-Adha (The Feast of the Sacrifice) - held on November 28th, offering the chance to sample some tasty Algerian food

December

• S'Biba of Djanet - a traditional festival that is celebrated in the town of Djanet after the Muslim feast of the Aid. The celebrations last for several days