The culturally rich land of Morocco is one of the best countries to visit as an adventurous tourist, all year round. Home to famed cultures, amazing hospitality, fascinating and ancient destinations, as well as a amazing beach scene, it’s one of the best places to spend a long vacation in. Imagine lounging in a wonderful gold, sandy beach with amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean or walking through the old Medinas of the cities and seeing centuries of old cultures, that’s what makes Morocco so great and enticing to visit and a popular tourist and cultural spot.
And for those looking to get an even deeper insight about what makes the country’s cultural heritage so great, you’d have to look at one of its core components, namely the cultural festivals in Morocco that are held almost every year. The famous Festivals in Morocco are its pride and a key part of the cultural heritage and a component of the everyday Moroccan culture and lifestyle. Held every year, the various festivals of Morocco are one of the most widely celebrated events and are taken part in by nearly everybody in the country.
For those on a long vacation or on a few days trip to Morocco, visiting the various festivals held is one of the best ways to really dig deep into the everyday culture of the Moroccans and see what the allure is about. In this blog, we’ve made a handy list of the top cultural festivals in Morocco that you must attend on your trip here, so you can get an even better view of what Moroccan culture and lifestyle is all about.
Top Cultural Festivals in Morocco That You Must Attend: A Handy Guide
Moroccan festivals are the life and blood of the culture of the North African country. On your trip here, you’ll find lots of festivals and cultural events in Morocco that are held in nearly every city of the country (depending on the time you visit). A recommended thing you could on a Morocco trip, here are some of the top festivals held in Morocco that you must attend:
1. Gnaoua World Music Festival
The Gnaoua World Music Festival is one of the top cultural events in Morocco and a must-visit on a trip to Morocco. Held in the coastal city of Essaouira, the event is a tribute to traditional Gnaoua culture and music. The Gnaoua culture is a genre that mixes together traditional Islamic and African traditions, fusing them together to create a masterpiece.
It begins in June and absolutely lights up Essaouira’s Medina and the rest of the city, creating a bustling and wonderful scene, where the city is jam-packed with people who come to enjoy and listen to wonderful music and other cultural performances at this festival in Morocco.
Venue: Essaouira, Morocco
Time When it is Held: June
2. . Casablanca Jazzablanca Festival
For those who have an interest in old school film culture, you’ll probably know the film Casablanca, the film that was a big hit in the previous decades. Well, flash forward several decades to today, the Jazzablanca Festival in Casablanca (a city of Morocco, not the film) combines old school Jazz culture and today’s music genres, creating a wonderful scene and atmosphere for music enthusiasts.
It is one of the most visited festivals in Morocco and many musical and cultural events are held and organised in the city, creating a wonderful sight to see for all. Various artists and stars, both international and local ones perform at this festival, which is one of the most looked-forward-to festivals in Casablanca.
Venue: Casablanca, Morocco
Time When it is Held: July, will be held in July 3-12, 2025
3. Tan-Tan Moussem Festival
Held in the famous Sahara Desert, the Tan-Tan Moussem festival is a premium cultural event in Morocco which is organised to honor the culture of the native tribes of the Sahara Desert. First held in 1963, It has the privilege of being honored as a UNESCO-recognised festival and is a much-celebrated peek into the lives of the ancient people of the Sahara.
In this celebrated festival, you’ll likely come across hard fought Camel races, traditional crafts, native music and more others, with the most famous of them all being the Camel Beauty contest.
Venue: Tan-Tan, Sahara Desert, Morocco
Time When it is Held: May-June
4. Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
The spiritual city of Fez is one of the cultural heartlands of Morocco and one of the best places to visit as a tourist. And a cultural event held to celebrate its famed heritage is the Festival of World Sacred Music. A top festival in Morocco, it is a celebration held by people of all walks of life in Fez, in which they organise events related to spirituality, traditional music and artistry.
It’s one of the highlights of visiting the city of Fez as a tourist in the months of May to June (the date the festival is held). The city comes alive during this festival as various events are organized in popular spaces in Fez such as the Ancient Medina (Old Town) of Fez, the famous Bab Makina and others.
Venue: Fez
Time When it is Held: From May to June
5. Marrakech International Film Festival
Last but not least on our list of the top cultural festivals in Morocco, is the world famous Marrakech International Film Festival. It is held to celebrate the global film industry and features iconic tributes to stars and celebrated filmmakers from all across the world. It’s also known as the Cannes of Morocco, an ode to the one held in Cannes, France and the popularity which the Marrakech Film Festival now has.
It features screenings and plays of famous films from all over the world in Open-Air theaters and others. With the best screening place being at the Jemaa El-Fna Square, a popular place to visit which comes alive with crowds of tourists and locals at the scene of the screening.
Venue: Marrakech
Time When it is Held: December
Know the Top Cultural Festivals in Morocco to Attend With iLinkTurkey’s Guide
The festival scene in Morocco is one of its pride and joy and a shining beacon of the traditional yet modern Morrocan culture. With the variety of the cultural events in Morocco so beautifully diverse, from celebrations of cultures of ethnic Berber Tribes to the modern musical and film cultures, visiting and taking part in the various festivals in Morocco is one of the best ways to make your Morocco trip even more unforgettable.
For those planning a trip to Morocco soon and want to explore the country’s beauty with pre-booked accommodations, guided tours, and the opportunity to skip the lines, iLinkTurkey offers a diverse range of Morocco tours. Head over to our packages and book one from our Best Selling Morocco Packages.
