Festivals in Morocco
Knowing when to be in Morocco is part of the fun of booking your trip. There are a number of Muslim and national festivals that are celebrated throughout the year, and when traveling to Morocco, you may want to consider booking your vacation in conjunction with one of these events. In fact, almost every month of the year it features at least one festival that you can attend. Festivals are based on the lunar calendar rather than the western calendar, so you will need to check with the Moroccan tourist office before booking your flight if there is a specific festival you want to see.
In January, there are two festivals: New Year’s Day and the Independence Celebration. New Years Day is a Western celebration similar to many that are celebrated around the world. The Independence Celebration is secular and is only one of five that take place throughout the year.
February is the celebration of Tafraoute and Aid Al Adha. Tafraoute celebrates the end of the winter rains found in the lower parts of Morocco. The rains are useful for crops, but Moroccans also feel that a celebration for the upcoming season is necessary. Aid Al Adha or A’d el-Khebir is a festival commemorating the sacrifice of Abraham. This festival is fun to watch, but you won’t get to participate in much of it.
March and April have four celebrations: Beni Mellal, Fatih Mouharam, Ashura and Aid el Arch. Beni Mellal celebrates the cotton harvest. Fatih Mouharam is the celebration of the Islamic New Year. Ashura is a tithing day celebrated only by certain local groups. Aid the Arch is a celebration honoring the coronation of King Mohammed VI.
If you visit Morocco in May, expect to find the Moulay Bousselham, Berkane, El Kelia des Mgouna, Labor Day, Id el Mouloud, and Ben Aissa Moussem festivals. The Kelia des Mgouna is also known as the Rose Festival and is held to celebrate the new harvests. It is one of the most popular celebrations that Westerners enjoy attending.
June is the month of the Music Festival, Independence Day, the Goulimine Festival, Tan Tan and Gnaoua. The Music Festival takes place in Fez, and hundreds of musicians from all over the world come to celebrate music and different musical traditions. It is an exchange of cultures and traditions, and visitors leave with a new understanding of what music is in other parts of the world.
July festivals include the Marrakech Folk Arts Festival, Tetouan, Sefrou Cherry Harvest, Al Hoceima Sea Harvest and the Celebration of the Throne. The Marrakech Folk Arts Festival represents traditional Moroccan folklore through performances, theater, music and other forms of art.
The Asilah Arts Festival, Celebration of the Young, Setti Fatma, Sefrou Moussem, El Jadida, Tiznit, Immouzeer du Kandar and Immouzer des Ida Outanane festivals take place in August. Many of these festivals are popular Moussem celebrations.
Chechaouen and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun host their Mouseem festivals in September. September is also when Imichil takes place; This marriage festival takes place in the Atlas Mountains. It offers customs and traditional wedding costumes for visitors to enjoy.
September has only one festival called Date Festival, which takes place in Erfoud. November marks Ramadan, Independence Day, Eid al Fitr, and the Erfoud Harvest Festival. December celebrates Rafsae and Hajj Day. Not all of these festivals are popular with Western visitors; However, if you are there when one of these festivals takes place, you are likely to come across music, fireworks, costumes, and other traditions. Religious festivals should not be interrupted, but observed in silence.