Every region of Morocco hosts celebrations and festivals throughout the year; let’s travel there together to experience the best Moroccan festivals.
Morocco is a year-round vacation spot, and it’s been known for its cultural diversity for centuries. Throughout the year, celebrations and events take place one after another in all of Morocco. Consequently, choosing the right time to visit this country might be challenging, so the best solution is to plan your trip around one of the countless annual festivals or events.
Some celebrate Morocco’s rich artistic culture, while the agricultural calendar inspires others. Religious Moroccan festivals also provide an authentic insight into the life of Moroccans and their beliefs. This article will look at the country’s most well-known and best annual events, ranging from the world-famous Marathon des Sables to cultural festivals in Fez and Marrakech.
While planning your next trip to this beautiful country, check out which festivals you don’t want to miss below!
Moroccan Festivals & Events by Month :
January
The Amazigh New Year, or Yennayer, or Berber New Year
All eyes are on Moroccan New Year celebrations, which occur twice during the year’s first month. The first is January 1, which is the most well-known in the West. This day, a national holiday in Morocco is usually spent by Moroccans relaxing after a fun-filled party the night before. But the most unusual New Year’s celebration takes place on January 12th and 13th, a few weeks later.
The Amazigh New Year, or Berber New Year, which marks the start of the growing season, is celebrated by the traditional Berber people of Morocco. Several Moroccan cities, including Agadir and Tiznit, host celebrations to honor the day. However, the most conventional Moroccan celebrations occur in the center of the Atlas Mountains, when Berber communities make couscous and sing and dance in hopes of a successful harvest.
Proclamation of Independence
Around January 11, Morocco celebrated its Proclamation of Independence from French colonization around this time. The Proclamation of Independence remained an important reminder of Morocco’s nationalist struggle. Now, it is a national holiday honored with street decorations and public celebrations in various cities throughout the whole country.
February
Almond Blossom Festival Morocco
The Almond Blossom Festival in Tafraoute, held in February, takes all the attention. Tafraoute city, the leader of Morocco’s almond production, has traditionally hosted a modest agricultural event each year to market almond products and celebrate the year’s harvest. However, due to the Festival’s rising popularity, it was necessary to relocate it from Tafraoute to Valle Dei Tempi, where it now takes place. Including this change, the event also evolved from a straightforward harvest festival to a neighborhood folklore event with traditional Berber music, dancing, and drama. Market booths cover the streets as stage shows vie for your attention with the budding almond trees among the valley’s ancient Roman ruins.
The Almond Blossom Festival 2022 was quite a phenomenal edition.
March
International Nomads Festival
In Morocco, March is when two major annual events take place. The International Nomads Festival is a free outdoor celebration of all facets of nomadic culture that takes place in the little village of M’Hamid El Ghizlane, located 60 kilometers south of Zagora. Poets, musicians, dancers, storytellers, and artisans from throughout the world are invited to perform. Additionally, conferences and workshops are held to examine topics such as agriculture, environmental protection, education, and more. Traditional dishes are also made here, and you may even engage in some traditional activities. However, most of the action takes place 20 kilometers away from M’Hamid in a specially constructed nomadic camp. Make it necessary to organize proper transportation in advance if you intend to attend the International Nomads Festival, as the roads are not in ideal condition.
Marrakech Biennale Event
The Marrakech Biennale is one of the events and shows in Marrakech, which features cutting-edge contemporary art, literature, and film presentations and is the ideal location for art fans. It is the centerpiece of the Morocco Festival and includes a major visual arts exhibition in addition to a number of other art installations, discussions, advanced film screenings, and debates. The one-month event, organized every two years to address social concerns and reconcile cultures via the arts, typically begins in March and finishes in late April or early May.
April
The Marathon des Sables
April brings a diverse cultural agenda. The Marathon des Sables is one of the most outstanding events. How long is The Marathon Des Sables? It takes place every year over 10 days. This one-of-a-kind marathon, which covers 251 kilometers (156 mi) over six days, is contested in the Sahara Desert and is considered the most challenging foot race on Earth. If you’re looking for a challenging experience, this is it! Make sure to participate by signing up in advance, as applications fill up quickly.
The Sufi Music & Cultural Festival
There is much more to enjoy in Morocco in April for the less physically active. The Sufi Music & Cultural Festival is held annually in the imperial city of Fes and lasts 8 days. The Festival brings together Sufi religious leaders and artists from all over the world to present their poems, films, music, dances, and artworks in appreciation of Sufi spirituality and music. At this Festival, academics meet to discuss crucial Sufi topics like human rights, cultural diversity, and world peace.
Merzouga World Music Festival
You can also anticipate the Merzouga World Music Festival, which takes place in the majestic sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in mid-April. With performers from around the world, this one-of-a-kind event aims to be a forum for cultural interaction primarily. There are also other sports events that the young ones particularly love.
May
The Festival of World Sacred Music
May is when Morocco’s cultural calendar really comes to life, with some of the most well-known festivals taking place all around the country.
Launched in 1994, The Festival of World Sacred Music is held in Fes and attracts musicians, academics, and art lovers worldwide. It brings together artists from all over the world, whose purpose is to “reconcile men” with music in an atmosphere of spirituality, a dialogue of religions and cultures. In 2001, the United Nations established this Festival as one of the outstanding events that have contributed remarkably to the dialogue of civilizations.
Free concerts, a film festival, and a debate forum are part of the week-long celebration.
Festival of Roses
This one is one of Morocco’s most beautiful festivals, the Festival of Roses honors the harvest of roses throughout the year. Held in May over two days and hosted in El Kelaa M’Gouna, popularly known as the Valley of Roses or Festival of The Roses, a town about 50 miles north of Ouarzazate. In this area, the roses are picked by hand at sunrise during the first 3 weeks of May. Most of Morocco’s rose water, a key ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine and cosmetics, is produced in this region. Delicious food vendors, Berber singers and dancers, and even a procession of floats can be seen around the souk’s winding streets of El Kelaa M’Gouna. These occasions can occasionally be incorporated into Morocco tours, although it might be challenging because of the timing’s connection to the harvest.
Mawazine Festival
The Mawazine Festival (Rhythms of the World), which takes place in Rabat, is a modern event. The event spans eight stages and hosts some of the most well-known performers in the world. This Festival is part of an approach to opening to the world’s cultures, offering the public a unique musical journey from all over the globe.
June
Gnaoua World Music Festival
The Gnaoua World Music Festival, which takes place in June in the charming seaside town of Essaouira, is a fantastic event for anyone interested in learning more about Morocco’s varied past and it’s Gnawa Music.
Since 1998, the Gnawa Festival has given prominent opportunities to the Gnaoua talents (artists descended from formerly enslaved people). This Festival is a pioneer in Moroccan culture.
The celebration, which lasts for four days, honors the Gnaoua people and their historical contributions to humanity. More than 500,000 people visit the Festival to take in dance and musical performances, intimate performances, and panel discussions with the artists. The schedule includes outdoor performances, training sessions, roundtable discussions, exhibitions, and films.
Marrakech du Rire
Marrakech du Rire, a 5-day international comedy festival, is open to anyone searching for a good time. This Festival, launched by Jamel Debbouze, brings together Moroccan and foreign humourists of different nationalities and backgrounds. This comedy festival is held annually at the beginning of June in Marrakech. The schedule includes musical performances, dancing, and interactions with artists. Gad Elmaleh, Franck Dubosc, and countless other of the funniest comedians are among those who frequently attend this Festival of laughter.
The city’s top comedians perform for you in various locations, together with up-and-coming comics trying to get their big break. It’s important to note that most performances are in French or Arabic.
July
Timitar Festival
Morocco’s coastal villages come alive with various unique festivities as the summer heat sets in. Timitar Festival or Timita Music Festival, takes place in Agadir, among the most well-known festivals in Morocco. Over 40 performers from all over the world perform at this Festival, which is renowned as one of the best in Africa and promotes Amazigh culture.
International Cultural Festival
This month’s next major event is the International Cultural Festival, which brings tens of thousands of people to the ordinarily sleepy seaside town of Asilah. Many artists come here to exhibit their work and create murals on the historic walls of the medina. The three-day horse festival, which features a Moroccan Fantasia (a traditional exhibition of horsemanship), is the show’s main star.
The Feast of the Throne
The Feast of the Throne, which takes place on the 30th of the month, is how Moroccans celebrate the coronation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. People crowd the streets to celebrate with fireworks and parades because it is a public holiday.
Festival Jazzablanca
Every year in July, Casablanca hosts this Festival, which features many jazz-fusion performances. Moroccan and foreign jazz singers perform there. The audience can participate in jazz initiation workshops, artist meetings (reserved for VIP visitors), impromptu musical sessions, and musical parades in the streets in addition to concerts. After-parties following the shows might go on well into the night.
August
Tafraoute Summer Music Festival
August witnesses two major Moroccan festivals that aim to celebrate and highlight the best aspects of Moroccan culture. The free three-day Country Summer Music Festival in Trafraoute features regional bands, musicians, and artists from around Morocco.
Moussem Moulay Abdellah Amghar
The intriguing religious and cultural event known as Moussem Moulay Abdellah Amghar, which takes place in El Jadida, honors the Sufi Saint Abdallah Abou Lmahasin Mohammed Amghar. Over 500,000 people visit to observe all forms of folklore art from Morocco, such as fantasia performances, folk orchestras, songs, and dances.
September
Tanjazz Festival
The annual Tanjazz Festival in Tangier kicks off the festivities in early September. Here, for a three-day event, amateur musicians and well-known performers unite to light up the stages of Tangier. Additionally, there are workshops for musicians and dancers at several locations in Tangier.
This Festival is considered to be one of the best jazz music stops in Morocco.
Imilchil Marriage Festival
The Imilchil Marriage Festival is the one you shouldn’t miss this month. This traditional Berber custom occurs annually and seeks to bring together families of different local tribes and clans to meet and marry their sons and daughters. Visitors can attend the event, but discretion is advised while watching the ceremonies.
Oasis Music Festival
The first event to set such a high standard on the African continent was the Oasis Music Festival in Marrakech. Every September, it lasts for three days. The best in-house, disco, and electro music are featured. You may take in the stunning scenery and all-night dancing while looking out at the Atlas Mountains. International artists and well-known DJs from around the globe are included in the schedule, along with musicians from Morocco’s emerging music industry.
October
Date Festival
Even though the weather may start to cool down in October, the celebrations go on as usual! The season of dates harvest is celebrated at the Date Festival in Erfoud with religious rituals, a vibrant parade of traditional costumes, camel racing, and of course, music and dance.
Moga Festival
Moga Festival, an electronic music festival in Essaouira, is a more recent event that started in 2016. With the purchase of a ticket, you can attend daytime activities, including musical brunches, beach parties, digital video installations, and evening performances by some of Africa’s top electronic music acts.
Taragalte Festival
The Taragalte Festival, which takes place at the end of October in the Sahara Desert under the stars, honors peace and nomadic culture. Spend three days lounging on the sand, listening to music, dancing beneath the stars, and engaging in fascinating debates about peace, stability, and environmental preservation.
November
Independence Day
On November 18, Morocco’s Independence Day, all eyes will be on it. Moroccan’s king announced its independence from the French and Spanish colonial powers in 1944. This day is celebrated throughout the country with colorful parades and street vendors selling traditional foods.
December
Tan Tan Moussem
The Tan Tan Moussem is an event you must attend if you want to catch one final glimpse of Moroccan culture. More than 30 tribes from southwest Morocco and other regions of northwest Africa come together for this Festival to worship, share stories, dance, and engage in camel racing.
The Marrakesh International Film Festival
The Marrakech Film Festival stands out for its excellent program preparation and its editorial and creative posture, which encourages a strong cinematographic opening. Every year, the Festival features a wide range of films from many backgrounds and countries, as well as tributes, Moroccan film classics, and movies with audio descriptions for non-visually impaired people. This Festival continues to be the only one in the Arab world without censorship, and all advanced film screenings have English and Arabic subtitles. With the help of its “Cinécoles” competition, which honors the finest short films produced by Kingdom cinema students, it also aims to foster youthful talent development.
Moroccon Festivals Dates That Vary
Due to their adherence to the Islamic calendar, several Moroccan Festivals in Morocco change their date yearly.
Eid Al-Adha In Morocco
Western New Year’s celebrations and Aid el Kebir or Eid Al-Adha are the same. On this day, every family sacrifices a sheep or cow and shares the meat with poor people who cannot sacrifice their own. The holiday is a remembrance of the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son at God’s will and God’s mercy of replacing the son with a sheep.
Prophet’s Birthday (Eid El Mouloud)
Muslims celebrate the Prophet’s Birthday, Mohammed; peace be upon him with different religious and Sufi moussems.
Achoura
Achoura is celebrated on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram. This day is related to religious beliefs—local customs honor Achoura by offering toys to children who spend the day playing outside with fireworks. A mix of pastries and nut fruits is exchanged between family and friends.
Ramadan In Morocco
The most well-known Muslim celebration not only in Morocco but in the world is Ramadan which moves forward on the Western calendar 10 days each year. This event is unique; during Ramadan in Morocco, Muslims intense prayer and worshipping by holding different rituals, including the Tarawih prayer.
Morocco Festivals are attended by all Moroccans regardless of how long they last. They are also often attended by foreigners. During Moroccan festivals, you cab encounter fasting, dancing, worshiping – all depending on the type of holiday being celebrated.
We would be more than happy to help you plan your Morocco tour and plan it around one of these exciting events and festivals. Get in touch with us today and check our programs.
