What to Do in Tangier in October 2026: Film, Theatre and Jazz
TANGIER · Culture
Art-house film, theatre, jazz and a French-language book talk fill the rest of the month in Tangier, most for under US$10. The month, day by day.
TANGIER — This monthly guide is for people who live in Tangier or are staying for weeks. It lists what is on from Monday 5 October, with venues, prices where the organiser has published them, and practical notes for things to do in Tangier in October 2026.
Most tickets cost between 40 and 100 Moroccan dirhams (MAD), or roughly US$4 to US$10 at the RT rate of about 9.98 MAD per US dollar. Several events are free. Most evening events are at Théâtre Riad Sultan in the Kasbah, which has published its October programme.
The Tangier National Film Festival, once planned for 23 to 31 October, will not take place this month. Morocco’s national cinema centre (CCM) postponed the 26th edition to March 2027, according to Le360. The CCM cited the crowded October festival calendar. The city’s everyday cultural rhythm continues regardless.
Key Facts
- Who: Residents and long-stay visitors in Tangier, Morocco.
- What: Seven dated events from 10 to 30 October, plus two exhibitions, all confirmed by a venue, a calendar or a Moroccan outlet.
- Why it matters: Tickets run from free to 100 MAD (about US$10), and the national film festival has moved to March 2027.
10 to 17 October: Cinema, Theatre and Tributes
Saturday 10 October, 19:30
L’attachement, directed by Carine Tardieu
Cinémathèque de Tanger, Cinéma Rif, Grand Socco · 40 MAD (about US$4) · tickets on site
The Cinémathèque lists a second screening of this French-language film. The Cinéma Rif sits on the Grand Socco, the square where the medina meets the modern city, so it is easy to combine with dinner nearby. Tickets are sold at the box office on the evening, so arrive early.
Wednesday 14 October, 19:00
Jerusalem, written and directed by Ismaël Saidi
Théâtre Riad Sultan, Kasbah · 50 MAD (about US$5)
The cast listed in the programme includes Inès Weill-Rochant, Fiona Levy and Ismaël Saidi. Livret du Nord, a regional outlet, lists the 19:00 start and the 50 MAD price from the theatre’s programme.
Friday 16 October, time and price not published
Mustapha Bennis: A Tangier Symphony
Théâtre Riad Sultan, Kasbah · organised by Association Al Boughaz
This cultural evening, presented by the poet Mohammed Haddouchi Ouriaghli, pays tribute to the Tangier musician Mustapha Bennis. The published programmes give no start time or ticket price, so ask the theatre before you go.
Until Saturday 17 October
État(s) de passage, group exhibition
Galerie Delacroix, Tangier · free entry
Discover Tanger lists this contemporary-art show as free and closing on 17 October. It is the only exhibition in this guide with an end date in the first half of the month.
22 to 24 October: Jazz and a Novel
Thursday 22 and Saturday 24 October, 19:00
Georges Courpet Quartet
Théâtre Riad Sultan, Kasbah · 100 MAD (about US$10)
The quartet pays tribute to the trumpeter Georges Courpet, who played with major French pop stars. Michel Desarly sings, Benjamin Barria plays piano and Frédéric Quadros drums, with a mix of jazz and French chanson. The 19:00 start and 100 MAD price come from Livret du Nord only, so confirm with the theatre.
Friday 23 October, 18:00
A meeting with Ralph Toledano
Institut français de Tanger, Grand Salon, 2 Place de France · free, no reservation
Toledano presents his new novel, La lune dans le tourbillon (Librinova, 2026), set in Tangier. Yaelle Azagury moderates. The room is limited, so come a few minutes early, as the Institut français advises.
29 and 30 October: Debate and Theatre
Thursday 29 October, time not published
AMEDEBAT debate: biodiversity and land management
Riad Sultan cafeteria, Kasbah · entry details not published
The forum asks what challenges and civic responsibilities come with managing land and biodiversity. Professor Abdellah Chichi leads the session. It suits residents who follow environmental policy; contact the theatre for the time.
Friday 30 October, 19:00
Ma vie, mes défis, mes filles
Théâtre Riad Sultan, Kasbah · 50 MAD (about US$5)
This play was written by Saïd Ben Ali and Nadia Lamarti and stars Nadia Lamarti and Fouzia Bloundi, directed by Saïd Ben Ali, according to the theatre’s published programme. It closes the theatre’s October programme.
Running Into November: Exhibition and a Book Talk
Open through Monday 30 November
Ne tenir qu’à un fil, Mohamed Lekleti
Musée de la Kasbah, Espace d’art contemporain · admission not published
This solo exhibition runs well past the end of October, which makes it the flexible option if a week fills up. Discover Tanger gives the closing date but no organiser details or opening hours, so check at the museum.
Tuesday 10 November, 18:30
A conversation with Rachid Benzine
Institut français de Tanger, Grand Salon · free
Just outside this guide’s month, the author’s talk is followed by a book signing at Librairie Les Insolites, per the events calendar. Put it in the diary if you plan to stay into November.
Planning your Tangier in October
October in Tangier is mild but wetter than summer. Carry a light jacket or a small umbrella for evening events.
The Kasbah and the Grand Socco are walkable from the centre. At night, a petit taxi or a ride-hailing app is the easiest way home. Late finishes at Riad Sultan are best planned with a taxi booked in advance.
Ticketing is informal. The Cinémathèque sells at the box office, Institut français events listed here are free, and Riad Sultan prices should be confirmed with the theatre. For fresh weekly listings, see Discover Tanger.
What it means for you
For an American visiting or relocating, Tangier’s cultural life is small, French-leaning and cheap. A cinema ticket costs about the price of a coffee in the United States, and the Institut français events are free. The language of most listings is French or Arabic, so check whether a play is performed in French before you buy.
Plan around three fixed points: the Cinémathèque on 10 October, Riad Sultan’s run from 14 to 30 October, and the free Toledano talk on 23 October. Treat any event without a published time as unconfirmed until the venue replies.
What is not known
Start times and prices for the Mustapha Bennis tribute and the AMEDEBAT debate have not been published. The Riad Sultan times and prices for the Jerusalem, Courpet and Lamarti dates come from one regional outlet and should be confirmed with the theatre. Two items are left out because their details could not be confirmed: a French-language theatre piece, Iqtibās, which appears on Institut français pages with conflicting dates, and a Botola Pro football fixture on 24 October, whose date is listed by one outlet only.
Taken together, October looks calm for Tangier: no big festival, but a steady run of film, theatre and music with the days from 22 to 24 October offering the densest choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on in Tangier in October 2026?
Highlights are a cinema screening of L’attachement on Saturday 10 October, theatre and jazz at Théâtre Riad Sultan between 14 and 30 October, and a free book talk at the Institut français on Friday 23 October.
Is the Tangier National Film Festival happening in October 2026?
No. Morocco’s national cinema centre postponed the 26th edition, planned for 23 to 31 October, to March 2027.
Which events in Tangier are free in October 2026?
The État(s) de passage exhibition at Galerie Delacroix is free until Saturday 17 October, and the Ralph Toledano meeting at the Institut français is free on Friday 23 October.
How much do tickets cost in Tangier in October 2026?
Published prices run from 40 MAD (about US$4) for the Cinémathèque, to 50 MAD (about US$5) for Riad Sultan theatre and 100 MAD (about US$10) for the Georges Courpet concerts, at about 9.98 MAD per US dollar.
Sources: Discover Tanger events calendar, Institut français de Tanger, Livret du Nord, La Dépêche 24, LODJ, Le360, Exchange rate: RT, 5 October 2026. Retrieved 5 October 2026.
Related: Morocco Explained, Morocco’s Africa role and Tiakola in Casablanca.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief