Morocco is a large country diverse in its cultures, cuisines, languages, and geography.
Moroccans are proud of their history and find many opportunities to celebrate their rich cultural heritage with festivals, competitions, holidays, events, and performances
These festivals showcase some of the most beautiful, unique, and extreme elements of the country. Whether you like food, music, culture, art, or sports, there’s something here for you.
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Marrakech Marathon
One of the most prestigious marathons in the world, the Marrakech Marathon winds through the city on a picturesque route lined with orange, olive, and palm trees and ancient city walls.
It’s not just beautiful – this course is one of the fastest in the world. Over 8,000 people will run the race this year, which takes place in January when the climate is mild and pleasant.
Almond Blossom Festival
This festival celebrating the blossoming of almond trees in the spring is undoubtedly one of the country’s most beautiful.
Held in Tafraoute, a traditional agricultural village in southern Morocco, the festival includes dancing, folk tales, traditional Berber cuisine, and markets filled with local goods and almond products
Each night, the Roman ruins in the town are decorated with lights that catch the pink and white flowers of the almond trees, and the entertainment begins.
It is usually held in the second week of February, but can change depending on peak blossoming time. You can reach Tafraoute by bus from Casablanca, Tiznit, and Agadir.
Almond Blossom Festival, Tafraoute
Marathon Des Sables
One of the most extreme sporting events on the planet, the Marathon des Sables – Marathon of the Sands – is a seven-day foot race over 150 miles of the Moroccan Sahara desert.
Part of the challenge is that the competitors have to carry their own food and water each day as they run in the scorching sun over hot sand.
Despite the grueling conditions, the Marathon des Sables is in its 32nd year and now attracts over 1,000 participants annually, from Morocco and around the world.
Gnaoua Festival
The 22th annual Gnaoua Festival will take place this year in the southern coastal city of Essaouira.
It’s a wild four days of traditional, contemporary, jazz, pop, and rock music based in North African culture but shaped by global influence.
Throughout the city there are markets, street performances, and theater acts in addition to the main concerts. The final line-up for 2022 isn’t out yet, but check the website to see listings for past years.
The vibe is eclectic, funky, traditional, and energetic at the same time.
Cherry Festival
Held for three days each year during the peak of the June cherry season, the Cherry Festival celebrates the culture and agriculture of the Sefrou region.
The festival includes a pageant to crown the year’s Cherry Queen, a parade with floats, bands, and performers, and stalls selling fresh cherries and other local goods.
The Berber town of Sefrou is located in the Atlas mountains 20 miles southeast of Fes and offers beautiful scenery in addition to the cultural and gastronomic experiences.
Festival of World Sacred Music
The Festival of World Sacred Music combines a vibrant, richly historical setting – the 1,200-year-old city of Fez – with spiritual music from around the world. The focus is on African music, but performers from Asia, Europe, and America have been featured as well.
Concerts take place throughout the city during the whole week, with the nightly headliner performing in the Bab Makina palace courtyard.
Spend a couple days at the Festival and immerse yourself in music, spirituality, history, and culture.
Festival of Popular Arts
As one of the preeminent cultural centers of Morocco, Marrakech has the distinction of hosting multiple art- and culture-related festivals.
The Festival of Popular Arts is a particularly fun and energetic one. Performances and concerts take place everywhere including palaces, traditional venues, the main square, and the streets. The festival stretches over ten days in early July and draws musicians and artists from around the country.
Asilah Festival
Asilah is a charming resort and fishing town forty minutes east of Tangier with a vibrant arts culture.
The walls in the ancient medina are painted with colorful murals, and vendors offer local handmade items including Berber rugs, paintings, metalwork, and leather goods.
Each year during the month of July, the sleepy village springs to life with exhibitions, performances, presentations, and workshops by Moroccans and international guests.
Much of the activity takes place at the Centre de Hassan II Rencontres Internationals, but events are held throughout the city.
Imilchil Wedding Festival
The Imilchil Wedding Festival is a unique and vibrant part of Moroccan Berber culture.
Imilchil is a small town in the Atlas mountains made famous for its annual festival offering young men and women an opportunity to find a spouse. It has its roots in an old Berber tradition but has grown into a popular tourist attraction.
Each year, nearly 30,000 people from Berber tribes in the area come to Imilchil for several days in early September.
Young people can socialize and look for potential fiancés, while everyone enjoys music, dancing, and a huge market of food and crafts. Berber families give their children great freedom in finding a spouse, and nearly always accept their choice.
The engagement is finalized later on in the couple’s hometown.
Read More: Wedding Festival, Imilchil
Marrakech International Film Festival
The Marrakech International Film Festival is a world-class event celebrating Arabic and African cinema, with some features from Asia and Europe as well.
The films range from funny to tragic to poignant and often address current issues in culture and politics.
The festival includes movie premiers, screenings, master classes, and a competition judged by local and international film celebrities.
Final dates are not yet available for this year, but it usually occurs over the first full week of December.
While you’re in Marrakech, you’ll have dozens of other options for cultural and outdoor activities.
Stay in a luxury riad in the old city, visit the night market in Jemaa el Fna square and taste local specialties, take a trip into the Sahara desert, and see the traditional storytellers entertaining local crowds.