When to Go &
What to See
Signature Events — Don't Miss
Gnawa World Music Festival — Essaouira
Four days of hypnotic Gnawa music fused with jazz, blues and world music on open-air stages. One of Africa's greatest music festivals, drawing 500,000+ visitors.
Plan This TripMarrakech International Film Festival
Morocco's most glamorous annual event draws Hollywood A-listers, European auteurs and African cinema royalty to the Red City.
Plan This Trip
Amazigh (Berber) New Year — Yennayer
The Amazigh New Year celebration — Morocco's 3,000-year-old Berber heritage comes alive with traditional foods, music and ceremonies across Atlas villages and major cities. Public holiday since 2024.
Ski Season — Oukaimeden Resort
One of Africa's highest ski resorts opens on the slopes of the High Atlas. Skiing, snowboarding, sledging and snowshoeing at 2,600m base, just 2 hours from Marrakech. A surprise for many visitors.
Ramadan — The Holy Month
Experience the most spiritually charged month in the Islamic calendar. Iftar feasts at sunset, late-night medina bustle, spectacular calls to prayer. A deeply authentic way to see Morocco.
Marathon des Sables — Sahara Ultra
The world's most gruelling footrace — 250 km across the Sahara in 6 stages. A global bucket list event drawing 1,000+ competitors through the dunes and hammadas of the Drâa Valley and Ouarzazate region.
Eid al-Fitr — Breaking the Fast
Morocco transforms on Eid — families pour into the streets, new outfits, pastry boxes, and the most joyful atmosphere of the year. A 3-day public holiday full of warmth and hospitality.
Rose Festival — Kelaa M'Gouna
The Dadès Valley "Valley of Roses" celebrates the annual Damask rose harvest with parades, music, rose water ceremonies and election of the Rose Queen. Extraordinary and aromatic.
Fes Festival of World Sacred Music
UNESCO-listed medina hosts a week of Sufi devotional music, Qawwali, Gregorian chants and sacred choral performances from 40+ nations. The world's greatest spiritual music festival.
Moussem Tribal Festivals
Hundreds of local moussems (pilgrimages-turned-festivals) occur May to October across rural Morocco. Horse fantasias, tribal gatherings, music, Sufi ceremonies — windows into authentic Moroccan life.
Gnawa World Music Festival — Essaouira
Africa's most beloved music festival. Free open-air stages across the entire medina and seafront. Legendary international collaborations between master Gnawa musicians and jazz, blues and electronic artists.
Marrakech Popular Arts Festival
Ancient Moroccan performing arts take centre stage — acrobats, storytellers (hlaiqas), snake charmers, Gnawa healers and folk dancers fill Jemaa el-Fna square for a week.
Asilah Arts Festival (Moussem Culturel)
Artists from around the world descend on the whitewashed Atlantic town of Asilah to paint giant murals on its medina walls. Concerts, poetry readings and theatre alongside the art festival.
Timitar Festival — Agadir
One of Africa's biggest music festivals celebrating Amazigh (Berber) culture. World music, Gnawa, pop and Amazigh folk artists perform across four days of free outdoor concerts.
Eid al-Adha — Feast of Sacrifice
The second great Islamic festival. Streets fill with the sound of families celebrating, sharing meat with neighbours and the less fortunate. Cities quieter — a contemplative time to visit.
Tanjazz — Tangier International Jazz Festival
One of North Africa's finest jazz festivals, held each October in Tangier. International and Moroccan jazz artists perform across the city's historic venues, rooftops and open-air stages in the gateway between Africa and Europe.
Date Festival — Erfoud
The Tafilalet oasis celebrates the annual date harvest with music, date tasting, camel races and an artisan market. Morocco produces some of the world's finest Medjool dates here.
Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles — Female Desert Rally
The world's only all-female off-road rally navigates 2,000 km across the Moroccan Sahara. Teams must minimise GPS distance using only maps and compasses — extraordinary event to spectate.
Marrakech International Film Festival
Morocco's most glamorous event. Hollywood legends, European auteurs and African cinema's finest walk the red carpet against the backdrop of the Koutoubia minaret. Free screenings in Jemaa el-Fna.
Casablanca International Marathon
One of Africa's premier marathon events through the streets of Morocco's economic capital. 42 km, 10 km and 5 km categories, passing Hassan II Mosque and the Corniche.
International Nomads Festival — M'Hamid
A rare celebration of nomadic Saharan cultures — camel races, traditional Sahrawi music, storytelling around fires, desert crafts and the extraordinary landscape of Erg Chigaga as a backdrop.