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Amman Festivals & Events by Month (2026)
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Best Food in Amman (2026)
Begin your culinary journey at Hashem Restaurant in downtown Amman, famous for its falafel, hummus, and foul. A full meal costs around 2-3 JOD, and it's open from early morning uβ¦ π½οΈ Where to Start
Begin your culinary journey at Hashem Restaurant in downtown Amman, famous for its falafel, hummus, and foul. A full meal costs around 2-3 JOD, and it's open from early morning until late night. Arrive before noon to avoid the longest queues.
π₯ Must-Try Street Food
For the best manakeesh in the city, head to Al-Quds Restaurant on Al-Malek Al-Hussein Street, where a za'atar or cheese manakeesh costs 1-2 JOD. Another iconic spot is Reem Al-Bawadi for shawarma, with chicken or beef wraps starting at 2 JOD. Both are open until midnight.
π² Traditional Jordanian Feasts
For a sit-down meal of mansaf (lamb in fermented yogurt sauce), visit Al-Quds Restaurant in Jabal Amman or the more upscale Al-Mehbash in Abdoun. A full mansaf platter for two runs 15-20 JOD. Reservations are recommended on weekends.
π Hidden Neighborhood Gems
In the Rainbow Street area, try Sufra Restaurant for modern twists on traditional dishes, with mains around 8-12 JOD. For authentic Iraqi cuisine, visit Baghdad Restaurant in Al-Weibdeh, where a plate of masgouf (grilled fish) costs 10 JOD. Both are open for lunch and dinner.
π° Local Prices and Tips
Street food meals average 2-5 JOD per person, while mid-range restaurants charge 10-15 JOD for a full meal. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill or leaving 10% is appreciated. Always carry small bills as many stalls don't accept cards.
π Getting Around for Food
Use the Careem or Uber apps to easily navigate between food spots; a ride across central Amman costs 3-5 JOD. Walking is best in downtown areas like Al-Balad, where many eateries are clustered. Avoid peak traffic hours (8-9 AM and 5-7 PM) for quicker trips.
π Best Evening Spots
For a lively dinner scene, visit the restaurants on Rainbow Street, such as Jafra Cafe for grilled meats and shisha, with mains around 10 JOD. In Abdoun, try La Calle for tapas-style dining with a modern vibe, where small plates cost 4-6 JOD each. Most places stay open until midnight or later.
honestly the guide nails the classics but it misses one of my favorite spots. Al-Dayaa Restaurant in Jabal Amman near the second circle does incredible grilled meats, their mixed grill platter is like 12 JOD and feeds two people easy. the vibe is super local, mostly families and old guys smoking argeeleh, not a tourist in sight most nights.
another thing that's worth knowing is that the best hummus in the city isnt at Hashem, it's at a tiny place called Abu Ahmad on King Hussein Street near the Roman Theatre. they only do hummus and foul, open from like 6 AM until they run out around noon. a plate with bread is under 1 JOD and the texture is noticeably silkier than what you get at Hashem.
if you're into sweets and want something beyond knafeh, check out Al-Masarah in Al-Weibdeh for their osmalieh with ashta cream. it's lighter than knafeh and they make it fresh in front of you. a portion is about 2 JOD and it's perfect after a heavy meal of mansaf or grilled meat.
solid list, especially the hashem mention. one thing i'd add is that you can get a proper shawerma fix at shawerma abu jbara in the abdali area, their garlic sauce is better than reem al bawadi in my opinion. also, if you're up for a bit of a drive, the suq in fuheis has a little bakery that does fresh mana2eesh with local za'atar that's a different level from the city spots. and yeah, the afternoon closure thing is real, i've shown up at 3 pm to a locked door more times than i care to admit
The guide's coverage of Hashem and Al-Quds is spot on. I would add that if you are near the First Circle in Jabal Amman, stop by Beit Sitti for a cooking class followed by a meal, it is a more hands-on way to try Jordanian dishes like maqluba or warak dawali. For a quick sweet fix, Habibah Sweets on Al-Malek Al-Hussein Street has knafeh that rivals anything in Nablus, a single portion runs about 1.5 JOD and they serve it fresh all day. One thing the guide does not mention is that many downtown spots shut down for a couple hours in the afternoon, so plan your eating around 1 PM to 4 PM if you want a guaranteed open kitchen.
Amman Festivals & Events by Month (2026)
Kick off the year with the Amman New Year's Eve celebrations in the downtown area, where crowds gather around the Roman Theatre for fireworks and live music. Tβ¦ π January: New Year & Winter Nights
Kick off the year with the Amman New Year's Eve celebrations in the downtown area, where crowds gather around the Roman Theatre for fireworks and live music. Throughout January, the city hosts the Amman Winter Festival, featuring local crafts, hot drinks, and folk performances at the King Hussein Cultural Center. Dress warmly, as evenings can be chilly, and expect moderate crowds on weekends.
πΈ March: Spring & Culture
The Amman Spring Festival, usually held in mid-March, transforms the city's parks and squares with flower markets, art installations, and open-air concerts. The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts also hosts special exhibitions during this time, often free for visitors. It's a perfect time for families, with mild weather and plenty of outdoor activities.
π April: Amman Theatre Week
In early April, the Amman Theatre Week brings together local and international performances at the Royal Cultural Center and the Al-Hussein Cultural Center. Tickets range from 5 to 15 Jordanian dinars, and many shows are in Arabic with some English subtitles. Book ahead for popular plays, as seats fill quickly.
π΅ May: Music & Heritage
The Amman Music Festival, held in late May, features concerts in the Citadel and the Roman Amphitheater, blending traditional Arabic music with modern genres. The Jerash Festival, though nearby, often starts in late May and is easily accessible by bus from Amman. Expect large crowds, so arrive early and consider purchasing tickets online in advance.
π June: Ramadan Nights
If Ramadan falls in June (as in 2026), the city comes alive after sunset with the Ramadan Nights festival in downtown Amman, offering food stalls, lantern displays, and family-friendly entertainment. Many restaurants and cafes stay open late, and you'll find special iftar tents in hotels like the Four Seasons. Dress modestly and be prepared for lively evening crowds.
π¨ July: Amman Art & Design
The Amman Design Week, typically in early July, showcases contemporary art and design at venues like the Hangar and the Jordan National Gallery. Workshops and talks are often free, but some require registration online. This event attracts a creative crowd, and the exhibitions are a great way to escape the summer heat indoors.
π September: Film & Food
The Amman International Film Festival, usually in late September, screens films at the Royal Cultural Center and various outdoor venues, with tickets around 10 dinars. The Amman Food Festival, held in the same month at the King Hussein Park, offers tastings from top local restaurants and live cooking demos. Both events are tourist-friendly, with English signage and options for all budgets.
π December: Winter Lights
In December, the Amman Winter Lights Festival decorates the streets of Jabal Amman and Rainbow Street with festive lights and holiday markets. The city celebrates Christmas and the New Year with special events at the Citadel and in the Abdali Boulevard area. Expect festive crowds, and many shops offer seasonal discounts, making it a great time for souvenir shopping.
the may section is right about jerash but honestly most tourists miss that the citadel concerts are the better deal. i went to a show there last year and the sound bouncing off those old stones is something else, plus you get the sunset over the city during the set. just bring a cushion or wear a thick jacket, those stone steps get brutal after an hour.
also for july design week, dont overlook the little galleries tucked into jabal amman's side streets. the main hangar exhibits are polished but the real experimental stuff shows up in spaces like dar al anda or the old houses turned studios on prince muhammad street. half the time the artists are just sitting there and will talk ur ear off about their process if u ask, way better than the crowded official tours.
and if ur around in march, the spring festival at the king hussein cultural center is fine but the real hidden gem is the used book market that pops up on friday mornings near the hussein mosque. its not on any official list but locals know, youll find english paperbacks for like 50 piastres and sometimes old postcards of amman from the 60s. perfect souvenir that wont fall apart by the time u fly home.
this is a solid list but you're missing the shawerma scene during ramadan nights, honestly the best part is walking down king faisal street after iftar and grabbing a sandwich from reem al bawadi, it's like 2 dinars and worth every bite. also for december, i'd skip abdali boulevard on weekends unless you love crowds, jabal amman's smaller markets on rainbow street are way more chill and you'll find actual handmade stuff instead of the same imported trinkets. one tip for the summer heat during design week, the hangar gets packed so go on a weekday morning before 11am, you'll have the exhibits almost to yourself and can actually read the artist statements without someone's elbow in your back.
solid breakdown, especially the june ramadan section. one thing i'd add is that during ramadan nights, don't just stick to downtown. the jabal al-weibdeh area has these smaller street iftars where locals set up tables for strangers, especially near the national gallery. you'll get homemade lentil soup and qatayef for free if you're lucky, and it feels way more authentic than the hotel tents.
for september, the film festival is great but the real gem is the short film block at the rainbow theater on thursday nights. tickets are like 5 dinars and you get a q&a with the directors after, most of them speak english fine. also the food festival at king hussein park gets insanely crowded after 7pm, go at 4pm when the stalls open and you'll actually get to chat with the chefs before the rush.
and for december, skip the main abdali light show if you're with kids, it's basically a mall parking lot with projections. instead walk down sufyan bin wahab street off rainbow, there's a tiny christmas market run by a local church with mulled wine and handmade ornaments, hours are random but it's open most evenings from 6 to 10.