Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts is the big one. Held annually in late July and early August in the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Jerash, the festival brings together music, theatre, dance, and poetry from across the Arab world and beyond. Concerts take place in the ancient Southern and Northern Theatres, with the colonnaded ruins lit up at night. It runs for around two weeks and draws large crowds, both Jordanian and international. Performances range from classical Arabic music to contemporary Arab pop. If you are in Jordan during this period, it is worth timing a visit to Jerash around it.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two major Islamic holidays. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with family gatherings, new clothes, and sweet pastries. Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, is marked by the slaughter of an animal and the sharing of meat with family, neighbors, and those in need. Both Eids involve public holidays; government offices, banks, and many businesses close for several days.
Ramadan is not a festival in the usual sense, but it transforms daily life. Days are quiet; evenings come alive. Restaurants and cafes that are closed by day fill up at sunset for the iftar meal. Street food vendors appear, families gather, and cities take on a particular festive atmosphere after dark. Visiting during Ramadan gives a genuine window into Jordanian culture, though it requires adjusting your expectations around meal times and opening hours.
Independence Day (May 25) marks Jordan's independence from British rule in 1946 and is celebrated with military parades and public festivities in Amman.