Festivals & Events

There are many special events in Morocco; some of them are listed on this page.

14 - 27 May: Rose Festival

The harvest in El Kelaa des M'Gouna in the Dades Valley is celebrated with music, sabre dancers, and a float procession with a special Rose Queen in this carnivalesque atmosphere. It is best to arrive some days before if you wish to see the roses in the valley, as they are cut at the start of the festival.

6 - 14 June: Fes Festival of World Sacred Music

Inaugurated in 1994, this festival incorporates a range of devotional music in its concerts, including Qawwali and Gospel, including Europeans on the bill, performing various styles such as flamenco and folk music.

26 - 29 June: Gnaoua Festival - Essaouira

This festival celebrates a form of music some of whose origins are connected with this town; in the 18th century many slaves were brought to Essaouira, whose songs told about their painful journey through the Sahara desert and their sufferings. The lively music has often been described as ‘trance-inducing’ and sometimes even compared to Haitian voodoo and Brazilian Candomble.

July: Marrakech Popular Arts Festival

Some of the city’s most feted locations, the main ones being El Badi Palace and the Djemaa el Fna square play host to singers, dancers, actors, fire-eaters, snake charmers and myriad other entertainers. A festival of performance in a city that loves to perform.
Suggested hotels: Riyad Al Moussika, Riad El Mansour, Dar El Kanoun, Dar Attajmil

November - December: Marrakech International Film Festival

Taking place in Place Djemaa el Fna, this film festival has welcomed many influential film-makers including Martin Scorsese, David Lynch and Francis Ford Coppola.
Suggested hotels: Riyad Al Moussika, Riad El Mansour, Dar El Kanoun, Dar Attajmil