AMMAN — The final week of September is the most culturally concentrated of Jordan's autumn season — the Amman International Book Fair, the Amman Jazz Festival, the Musiqa 3al Daraj festival in Fuheis and Petra, and the closing of the European Film Festival all converge simultaneously.

 

ONGOING: September 27 – October 2

 

Amman International Book Fair — 23rd Edition | Jordan International Exhibition Centre, Mecca Mall, Amman

 

The fair continues through October 3. Open daily 10am–10pm; Fridays 4–11pm. One of the Arab world's most important literary gatherings, bringing together publishers, authors, intellectuals, and readers from across the region. Free entry.

 

European Film Festival — 37th Edition (closing September 30) | Al Hussein Cultural Centre (Ras Al Ain), Amman

 

The final days of the longest-running foreign film festival in Jordan. Free screenings of films from EU Member States, the UK, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Jordan. Last chance to catch the programme — full schedule at euffjordan.com.

 

Sunday, September 27

 

Musiqa 3al Daraj — 5th Edition (opens) | Fuheis

 

The beloved outdoor concert series, co-produced by the Amman Jazz Festival, the Goethe-Institut, and Orange Red, opens in the town of Fuheis — transforming its public spaces into stages for a week-long programme of concerts, workshops, residencies, and jam sessions exploring the diversity of jazz and jazz-fusion. Musicians from Jordan, the Arab world, and Europe perform side by side. Runs through October 2.

 

Monday, September 28

 

Amman Jazz Festival (opens) | OES Culture & Sports Building Theatre, Shmeisani, Amman

 

The only major event dedicated to jazz in Jordan opens for its annual edition, running through October 1. An eclectic range of genres — from Spanish guitar to quarter-tone blues, live acoustic techno to Jordanian funk — alongside music residencies, workshops, and artist talks. Organised by Orange Red, supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut and multiple European cultural institutes. Tickets via ammanjazz.com.

 

Wednesday, September 30

 

European Film Festival — Closing Night | Amman

 

The 37th edition closes after 17 days of free screenings across Jordan.

 

Amman Jazz Festival — Closing Night | OES Culture & Sports Building Theatre, Shmeisani, Amman

 

The main festival programme closes after four evenings. Tickets via ammanjazz.com.

 

Musiqa 3al Daraj moves to Petra — Day 1 | Tourist Street Plaza, Wadi Musa, from 5:30 PM

 

Eight diverse public concerts transform Petra's public spaces into open-air stages. Day one features the "I Am My Voice" choir of the Tajalla Association for Culture and Arts, followed by WAMLA (Spain), MaDaBa Trio (Netherlands), and the Osama Mshaghbeh Trio (Jordan) featuring Amina Boerwern (Austria). Free and open to all.

 

Thursday, October 1

 

Musiqa 3al Daraj — Petra, Day 2 | Little Petra (Al Beida), from 5:30pm

 

The second and final day of Musiqa 3al Daraj in Petra moves to the magnificent entrance of Little Petra. Performers include Odeh Mashaleh and Ihab Abu Hammad (Jordan), the Julia Hülsmann Trio (Germany), and the Mauro Segura Quartet featuring Luca Aquino (Italy). A special closing performance by the artists of the Halaqat music residency — presenting cross-cultural works co-created among participants from Jordan, Europe, and other Arab countries — completes the festival. Free and open to all.

 

Friday, October 2

 

Dead Sea Entertainment Event | The Dead Sea

 

A confirmed event on the official Jordan calendar for October 2 at the Dead Sea — full details to be announced via calendar.jo.

 

Amman Marathon | Amman

 

Jordan's flagship road race offers distances of 10K, half marathon, and full marathon through the streets of the capital. One of the most popular sporting events on the Jordanian calendar. Registration via runjordan.com.

 

Saturday, October 3

 

Amman International Book Fair — Closing Day | Jordan International Exhibition Centre, Mecca Mall, Amman

 

The final day of the 23rd edition. Last chance to browse the stalls, attend author events, and pick up books from publishers across the Arab world and beyond. Open 10am–10pm.

 

A practical note for readers: the week of September 27 – October 3 is the most culturally dense of the entire Jordan calendar — a book fair, a jazz festival, an outdoor music series in three locations, a marathon, and the close of a film festival all running simultaneously. Plan carefully and book Jazz Festival tickets in advance via ammanjazz.com. Musiqa 3al Daraj in Petra is free — arrive early to explore the ancient city before the evening performances begin.

 

The Jordan Trail Thru-Hike departs October 8. The Red Sea Half Marathon in Aqaba follows on December 4.