Festivals in Morocco: A Wild, Colorful, Soul-Stirring Calendar of Adventure

By Morocco’s Gate Team

Under the stars of the desert, dance. Savor rose-scented treats in secret valleys. At dawn, galloping alongside Berber horsemen. Attend comedy events in the medinas of Marrakech and laugh till your ribs hurt. Welcome to Morocco, a country that pulsates with soul, color, rhythm, and spice each month.

Pack your luggage for Morocco’s festivals if you’re hoping for an excursion that delves deeply into a culture rather than merely skimming the surface. This goes beyond simple sightseeing. This is life. Breathing. Dancing. Feasting. Believing.

Morocco’s festival calendar is as varied as its scenery, ranging from snow-capped Atlas peaks to Desert dunes that whisper ancient stories. There is a Moroccan month (and festival) that is screaming your name, regardless of your interests: music, spirituality, adrenaline, or delicious street cuisine.

Let’s take you on a fast-paced, hands-on tour of Morocco’s festivals by month. This is the best way to see the Kingdom as a resident, not a visitor.

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Morocco Festivals by Month: A Calendar Overview

January: New Year & Berber Celebrations

Yennayer (Amazigh New Year) – January 12–13

• Morocco’s Berber communities ring in Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year, which marks the beginning of the agricultural cycle, while the rest of the world celebrates New Year’s on January 1. Visit communities like Agadir and Tiznit in the Middle Atlas to experience traditional music, dancing, and couscous feasts.

Proclamation of Independence Day – January 11

• A national holiday commemorating Morocco’s 1944 manifesto for independence from France. Expect street parades, flag-waving, and patriotic fervor in cities like Rabat and Casablanca.

Travel to Agadir, Tiznit, or the Middle Atlas, where Berber tribes congregate around blazing fires to sing ancestor chants, drum to ancient rhythms, and offer prayers for rain, fertility, and wealth. Instagram filters haven’t affected this unadulterated, unfiltered Morocco.

Adventure Tip: Take a hike along the snow-capped Todra Gorge in addition to Yennayer. At night, sip mint tea while admiring the stars, while during the day, celebrate old customs.

February: Almond Blossoms & Folklore

Tafraoute Almond Blossom Festival

• Every February, Tafraoute, which is nestled in the Anti-Atlas Mountains, is transformed into a pastel paradise. Why? Because the town hosts a festival worthy of Botticelli himself during the season of almond blossoms.
• Today’s Almond Blossom Festival has grown from a small farmers‘ market to a full-fledged folklore celebration. Imagine a scene with crumbling Roman ruins, cobblestone lanes lined with vendors selling honey-almond candies, craftspeople using wool and silver to create magic, and Berber dancers circling beneath blossoming trees.
• In the breathtaking Valle Dei Tempi, where legacy and nature meet in technicolor splendor, the event is currently taking place. Don’t forget your camera. Get rid of your concerns.

Adventure Tip: Before the crowds gather, hike up Napoleon’s Hat rock formation around sunrise. The vista of valleys blooming with pink? Magic, pure magic.

March: Nomads & Art Biennale

International Nomads Festival – M’Hamid El Ghizlane

• A celebration of Desert nomadic culture featuring workshops for handicrafts, poetry, music, and camel races. For the complete experience, spend the night in a desert camp beneath the stars.
• This isn’t just another music festival. Written in poetry, painted with henna, and sung in desert languages, it is a nomadic love letter. In a makeshift tent camp 20 kilometers into the wilderness, artists, storytellers, musicians, and crafters from all across Africa and beyond come together. There are open-air tagine cook-offs, camel races, discussions on climate change, and workshops on sustainable herding.

Marrakech Biennale (Every 2 Years)

• Marrakech is taken over by contemporary art, with debates, film screenings, and exhibitions held in magnificent palaces and riads.
• This biennale, which takes place every two years (typically from March to May), explores major issues like justice, migration, and identity through performances in alleyways, installations hidden inside riads, and projections on castle walls.

Adventure Tip: Reserve in advance. Both festivities attract visitors from throughout the world. Plan 4×4 transportation in advance for nomads. Stay at a boutique riad close to the venues for the Biennale.

April: Desert Marathons & Sufi Spirituality

Marathon des Sables – The Toughest Foot Race on Earth

• Greetings, endurance enthusiasts: Marathon des Sables is in April. 6 days. 251km. heat from the Desert. Water is scarce. No compassion.
• This renowned ultra-marathon, known as “The Toughest Foot Race on Earth,” attracts masochistic competitors from more than 40 nations. Take a nap in bivouacs. Bring your own equipment. Fight hallucinations and sandstorms. Make it through — and you’ll have lifelong bragging rights.

Sufi Music & Cultural Festival – Fez

• A spiritual journey through Sufi chants, poetry, and dance in the heart of Fez’s ancient medina.

Merzouga World Music Festival – Dunes That Dance

• Global beats meet desert solitude at the Merzouga World Music Festival, a smaller, more intimate event located farther east, amidst Erg Chebbi’s golden waves.
• While parents sway to Gnawa fusion or Senegalese jazz, children frolic on the sand. Yoga in the morning. At dark, drum circles. Between sets, camels ride. Unplugged bliss.

Adventure Tip: After Merzouga Fest, spend the night in an opulent desert camp. Wake up to quiet, vast dunes after falling asleep to distant drums.

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May: Roses, Sacred Music & Mega Concerts

Festival of Roses – El Kelaa M’Gouna

• Located in the Valley of Roses, El Kelaa M’Gouna is the fragrant heart of Morocco. During the Festival of Roses, which takes place every May, this peaceful hamlet bursts with petals, perfume, and spectacle.
• Imagine a valley known for its Damascus roses hosting a parade of rose petals. Folk dances, floats, and rosewater fragrances are all part of this delightful celebration.
• Crimson blossoms drip from floats. Rosewater oils, jams, and soaps are sold by vendors. Berber maidens in kaftans with embroidery dance. Additionally, Morocco’s most valued export is the enticing aroma of Damask roses.
• The schedule of this festival changes slightly with the harvest, but it still follows Mother Nature’s lead. You’ll see why the locals refer to it as “the wedding of earth and sky” if you’re fortunate enough to witness it.

Mawazine – Rhythms of the World (Rabat)

• Morocco’s answer to Coachella! Past headliners include Elton John, Kylie Minogue, and Whitney Houston.
• Meanwhile, in Rabat, prepare for sensory overload at Mawazine — one of Africa’s largest music festivals.
• Mawazine demonstrates that Morocco knows how to throw a good party, whether you’re dancing to Andalusian strings in the Kasbah or sitting in the front row for a pop diva.

Adventure Tip: Reserve lodging several months in advance. Hotels in Rabat fill up quickly. Think about taking the tram and staying in the neighboring city of Salé.

June: Gnaoua Beats & Comedy

Gnaoua World Music Festival – Essaouira

• Essaouira’s salty breezes turn electric every June during the Gnaoua World Music Festival.
• A fusion of African, jazz, and spiritual Gnaoua music by the sea. Don’t miss the late-night Lila ceremonies—a trance-like musical ritual.
• Wander cobbled alleys where impromptu jam sessions erupt. Join midnight zikr ceremonies. Let the guembri (three-stringed bass) shake your soul loose.
• Half a million people flock here — yet somehow, it still feels intimate.

Marrakech du Rire – International Comedy Festival

• Need to laugh? Head inland to Marrakech du Rire — North Africa’s biggest comedy fest.
• Five nights. Dozens of venues. French, Arabic, and increasingly English stand-up acts. From veteran comics to fresh-faced hopefuls testing material — expect satire, slapstick, and social commentary served piping hot.
• Grab a rooftop seat overlooking Jemaa el-Fna. Sip local wine. Let laughter echo off minarets.

Adventure Tip: Pair Gnaoua with a seafood feast on Essaouira’s port. Post-comedy, hit a hidden speakeasy in Gueliz for cocktails and live jazz.

July: Coastal Beats & Fantasia

Timitar Festival – Agadir

• There’s more to Agadir’s beaches than just tanning. The Timitar Festival, which celebrates Amazigh (Berber) culture through international African music, transforms them into dance floors in July.
• More than 40 artists. Four days. Concerts on the Corniche are free. You can anticipate everything from Congolese rumba kings to Tuareg guitarists, all of whom are bonded by their indigenous pride.
• Amazigh and global artists perform in this free open-air festival.

Asilah Arts & Horse Festival

• Murals, music, and the thrilling Moroccan fantasia (a cavalry charge with rifles).
• During the International Cultural Festival, Asilah, a whitewashed village along the seaside, transforms into an outdoor gallery.
• On the walls of fortresses, artists create murals. In cafés beside the shore, poets deliver verses. Sunset strollers are serenaded by musicians. And the big showdown? In a loud Fantasia, scores of horses charge simultaneously and fire muskets into the air.
• A true cinematic extravaganza.

Chefchaouen Alegria – Blue City, Bright Vibes

• Next up is Chefchaouen’s Alegria Festival, which is a happy gathering of street food vendors, photography displays, and local talent. Explore lantern-lit blue lanes. Sample pastries filled with goat cheese. Join Berber drummers for barefoot dancing.
• Additionally, commemorate King Mohammed VI’s succession on July 30th by joining half of the country in celebrating the Feast of the Throne. The royal palaces are illuminated with fireworks. In parks, families have picnics. The streets throb with pride in the country.

Adventure Tip: Rent a scooter and speed between festivals along the shore. Or take it slow and reserve a kasbah stay in Asilah, where you may wake up to views of the ocean.

August: Summer Rhythms & Sufi Saints

Tafraoute Summer Music Festival

• Free concerts under the stars in the Anti-Atlas.
• The free Summer Music Festival in Tafraoute, back in the Anti-Atlas, has three days of local musicians, folk singers, and artisan fairs among almond fields.
• No VIP areas. No business sponsors. Just unadulterated, genuine happiness.

Moussem Moulay Abdellah Amghar – El Jadida

• A Sufi pilgrimage with horse shows, chanting, and traditional dances.
• Spiritually, things become serious down in El Jadida.
• One of Morocco’s biggest religious gatherings is held in honor of a respected Sufi saint by the Moussem Moulay Abdellah Amghar. The plains are thundered by Fantasia riders. Conventional orchestras perform for hours on end. Pilgrims offer up prayers. Kids laugh. Food vendors use grilled meats to smoke.

Adventure Tip: If you’re going to moussems, dress modestly. Be mindful of places for prayer. Before taking pictures of worshippers, ask.

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September: Jazz & Berber Weddings

Tanjazz – Tangier

• Smooth jazz in Morocco’s most cosmopolitan city.
• Every September, Tangier, the bridge between continents, comes alive with Tanjazz.
• Three days. A variety of locations, including antique theaters and cliffside lounges. courses for those who want to become musicians. Jam sessions until dawn.
• Here, improvisation and the sea-salted air bring together jazz aficionados and inquisitive tourists.

Imilchil Marriage Festival

• A rare chance to witness Berber tribal weddings in the High Atlas.
• At the yearly Marriage Festival, high in the Atlas Mountains, close to Imilchil, time seems to stop.
• This ceremony, which has its roots in ancient Berber custom, draws together tribes from all across the region to discuss marriages, exchange dowries, sing wooing songs, and cement couplings with silver rings and vows.
• Guests are welcome, but please keep quiet. It’s not a performance. Tender, profound, and intensely personal, it is a living ritual.

Adventure Tip: Employ a local guide who is knowledgeable about the traditions of the tribe. Mountain nights can be cold, so bring layers of warmth!

October: Dates & Electronic Beats

Dates Festival – Erfoud

• Camel races, feasts, and Desert hospitality in the date-palm oasis.
• October is date season in the palm-lined oasis of Erfoud, and it’s a royal celebration.
• Camel racing. parades with costumes. blessings from religion. And mountains of delicious, sticky dates in every possible form: candied, dried, stuffed, and fresh.
• Try the makroud, which are semolina cookies dripping with date paste, before you go.

MOGA Festival – Essaouira

• North Africa’s top electronic music festival on the beach.
• MOGA (Morocco Goes Afro), a more recent but equally exciting group, lights up Essaouira with their innovative electronic music.
• By day: digital art projections on ramparts, beach lunches, and DJ pool parties.
• At night, enjoy throbbing performances by Africa’s most popular artists beneath the stars.
• Imagine Mediterranean cold meets Burning Man.

Taragalte Festival – Peace, Music & Desert Stars

• Taragalte Festival, an intentional celebration of peace, sustainability, and nomadic tradition, takes place at the end of October beneath the dunes.
• Campfires. Storytelling. Eco-workshops. Sahrawi music in real time. Discos in the sand that are silent.
• This is pure magic and festival-going with a cause.

Adventure Tip: Purchase your MOGA tickets in advance because they sell out. Bring an open heart and a camping bag for Taragalte.

November: Independence Day

November 18 – Morocco’s Independence Day

• Fireworks, parades, and street food galore!
• The streets of Casablanca are crowded with parades. From balconies, children wave flags. Mechoui (slow-roasted lamb) is smoked on grills. Speakers share stories of rebirth, tenacity, and resistance.
• This day in 1956 marked Morocco’s official independence from colonial shackles, both Spanish and French, following years of struggle.
• Take part in the festivities. Go ahead and clap. Savour freedom, seasoned with bravery and cumin.

Adventure Tip: Attend formal ceremonies in Rabat’s Royal Palace. The true spirit can be found in neighborhood block parties, where you can blend in.

December: Film Stars & Desert New Year

Marrakech International Film Festival

• Spot A-list actors at Jemaa el Fna screenings.
• Back in the Red City, the Marrakech International Film Festival brings joy to moviegoers.
• Screenings at Jemaa el-Fna begin at 11 a.m. Alongside snake charmers, red carpets unfold. Under the light of lanterns, awards sparkle. Previous visitors? Marion Cotillard, Francis Ford Coppola, and Martin Scorsese.
• Take in the excitement in café-lined lanes humming with industry rumors and espresso shots, even if you are unable to secure a ticket to the premiere.

New Year’s Eve in the Desert

• Camp under the stars for a magical countdown.
• And how is the year ended?
• Not with countdown clocks or packed clubs.
• However, listening to Berber ballads carried by desert winds while snuggled under blankets and drinking sweet tea under the Desert stars.
• Pits of fire crackle. Drums reverberate. A lute is strumming. Overhead, the Milky Way is blazing.
• No need for fireworks. Eternity feels like this.

Tan Tan Moussem – Tribal Gathering of Legends

• Tan Tan Moussem is reviving ancient Desert customs in the deep southwest, close to the Algerian border.
• More than thirty nomadic groups come together to exchange products, perform epic poetry, race camels, and pay tribute to their ancestors via sacrifice and music. It is referred to as “Intangible Cultural Heritage” by UNESCO. We refer to it as bewitching.

Adventure Tip: Reserve a luxurious camp for a private desert NYE adventure. Champagne is not required. Wonder assured.

Festivals Following the Islamic Calendar

Some of Morocco’s most profound celebrations follow the lunar Hijri calendar, including:

Eid al-Adha (Aid el Kebir) – Feast of Sacrifice

• The largest religious celebration in Morocco is called “Tabaski” in the local dialect.
• Families visit cemeteries, exchange meat with neighbors, dress in their nicest clothing, sacrifice lambs (a sign of Abraham’s dedication), and feast for days. The streets are deserted, then erupt with happiness.
• Children yell “Umbalid!” as they knock on doors. “Happy New Year!” Almond pastries, briouats, and msemen (flaky pancakes) are everywhere in homes.

Eid al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday)

• Celebrated with unique treats like sellou (nutty sesame balls), nocturnal processions, and moussems (saint festivals).
• Cities vie to put on the most spectacular performances; thousands flock to the Moulay Idriss Zerhoun shrine in Marrakech.

Ashura – Day of Joy & Fireworks

• Ashura, which falls on the tenth day of Muharram, is particularly enchanting for children, who are given gifts, spend the entire day playing outside, and light tiny fireworks (bqarqasho) after sunset.
• Adults trade nuts and dried fruits. Some areas still use pre-Islamic rain rites, such as sprinkling water or beating drums.

Ramadan – Month of Reflection & Night Markets

• Although it isn’t really a “festival,” Ramadan changes Morocco.
• The days are calm. Electric at night.
• Iftar dishes include chebakia cookies and harira soup to break fast. After dark, the streets are crowded. Lanterns are glowing. There is music. Agreements are made. Tales exchanged.
• We welcome visitors, but please, out of courtesy, refrain from eating or drinking in public throughout the day.

Adventure Tip: Take in a classic Ramadan evening in Fes or Chefchaouen, where the lanes are illuminated by lanterns and evoke the atmosphere of the Arabian Nights.

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MOROCCO FESTIVALS: A CALENDAR OVERVIEW (AT A GLANCE)

Why Attend Moroccan Festivals?

Morocco’s festivals are more than just occasions; they are dynamic customs that help tourists experience the essence of the nation. The following justifies scheduling your journey to avoid them:

1. Cultural Immersion: Events such as Berber New Year (Yennayer) and Sufi spiritual gatherings provide a unique window into Morocco’s past.
2. Adventure & Unusual Experiences: Have you ever participated in a Desert marathon? Or danced in Tafraoute beneath almond blossoms? Morocco’s festivals produce memories that will never be forgotten.
3. World-Class Music & Arts: Both international and local legends are drawn to festivals like Mawazine and Gnaoua World Music Festival.
4. Seasonal Beauty: From date harvests in October to rose harvests in May, every celebration coincides with natural marvels.

Are you prepared to explore? This is your go-to list of Moroccan festivals, broken down by month.

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WHY BOOK YOUR TRIP TO MOROCCO DURING FESTIVALS?

Because festivals are the main event rather than a supporting role.

They make visible what manuals cannot:

• The kindness of strangers sharing food during the holidays
• The sound of hoofs thundering during a charge of Fantasia
• The silence that follows the start of a Sufi chant
• A child’s smile when viewing their first firework
• The distillery’s still-warm rosewater taste

This is Morocco in its natural state. Unfiltered. Alive.

ARE YOU SET TO ENJOY THE FESTIVAL LIFE?

Go beyond reading about it. Live it.

We don’t offer generic excursions at Morocco’s Gate. Whether you want to go to distant Berber weddings, dance until dawn at Gnaoua, or sip mint tea while the Desert lulls you to sleep, we create trips that are centered around your passions.

Our local guides are aware of hidden viewing locations. In private riads, our cooks prepare festival favorites. So that you don’t have to, our drivers travel over dusty roads.

• Spots fill up quickly. The seasons change. Moments pass.
• Avoid waiting for “someday.”
• Accept adventure.
• Accept Morocco.

Written by: Morocco’s Gate Team
Local Experts. Cultural Insiders. Adventure Architects.
Trusted by travelers from London to LA.

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