Almond Blossom Festival
Tafraout/2nd Week in February
The Tafraout Valley, where almond-trees reign supremely, is enchanting to the
eye at blossom time. Ranging from immaculate to blushing pink, the blooms do not
last for a very long time. This brief existence makes them even more attractive,
drawing more and more visitors to face this spectacle.
Wax Lantern Festival
Salé/Eve of Mouloud
The white town of Sale, twin sister of Rabat on the Bouregreg estuary, has
preserved one of Morocco's most picturesque traditions; the wax lantern
procession or 'Mawkib Esh Shomouaa'. The procession is said to date back to the
Barbary period in Sale, when the Corsairs carried wax lanterns in procession to
the sanctuary of Sidi Abdallah Ben Hassoun, the town's patron to implore his
protection before a long voyage. This tradition has become a beautiful and
entertaining event.
Rose Festival
Kelaa of M’Gouna (Ourzazate Province) Mid-May
In this grandiose setting, the day is marked by numerous events like
folk-dancing and singing, handicrafts exhibitions, ‘Diffa’-banquets in tents,
flower-decked floats, the election of Miss Rose, camel-rides and a splendid
excursion by bus from Ourzazate down the Valley of the Roses.
Cherry Festival
Sefrou (the Fez Province) June June
A three-days’ festival of entertainment full of numerous sporting competitions,
a fantasia, a torch-light procession, fairground and finally the election of
Miss Cherry with a parade by her cortege.
Olive Festival
Rafai (Fez Province) Mid-December
A very pretty festival where one can see the traditional olive-picking ceremony,
numerous 'Diffa' feasts and folklore events in a surprisingly vast area of olive
groves.
Honey Festival
Imouzer of Ida Ou Tanane (Agadir Province)/ In the beginning of May (Early May)
Argana is said to be the largest collective beehive in the world and also one of
the most curious because of its construction, history and the way it is run.
Most of the hives are made of split reed cylinders covered with clay. With the
aid of a smoking brazier made out of baked earth, the bees and their queen are
made to crawl out of the hive into a basket so that the honey can be classified
as a historic monument.
Festival of Fiances
Imilchl Moussem/ 4th Week in September
Imilchl is a small high Atlas village at an altitude of 8,430 feet. For the
young men and girls of the area, it is a tradition to get married on the day of
the Moussem in ancient times. A holy man uses to bless the betrothed at Abdgoul
and the legend goes that they will remain happy for the rest of their lives. The
Finance Festival is staged on the site of the tomb of the old wise man, who is
venerated in the High Atlas. It is a time for some 30,000 people from the
mountains to assemble in tents for three days with their flocks, horses and
camels. It is an occasion for the young girls to wear and show their finery, and
their sumptuous silver jewelry and to dance the day and night away under the sun
and the stars.
Date Festival
Erfoud/Early October
This magnificent festival is held annually in the Erfoud area where nearly a
million date-palms grow. There is grown a wide range of types of dates. Take for
instance the majestic palm-tree, waving lazily in the warm breeze providing
shade and a livelihood. The peasants who cultivate them rely on them for almost
everything.
Horse Festival
Tissa (the Fez Province) October
The picturesque center of Tissa, located a few miles off the main road in the
Fez province, is the site of a gigantic competition between the various horse
breeds. Every year in October, hundreds of riders assemble wearing their finery
to present their mounts. Prize-giving and festivities create a very animated
scene.
Festival of Fantasia
Meknes/Beginning of September
This event offers thousands of horsemen and their mounts a chance to meet and
display their skills. This festival has become a huge success.
Camel Festival
Jul 2006/Tan Tan Road, Goulimine
The people of Goulimine hold the Camel Festival once a year on top of their
weekly Camel Fair that takes place every Saturday....The festival also offers
the opportunity to witness the ritual dance of the Guedra music.
Gnawa Festival/Essaouira, June
This annual festival in Essaouira Morocco is a 4 day celebration of the music of
the descendants of African slaves of the country. The town itself, on the
Atlantic Coast, should be visited regardless because of its relaxed atmosphere,
wonderful instruments, herb/spice souks, and other local products like the Argan
Nut Oil, as well as its ramparts, and lovely beach with countless fresh fish
stalls. The festival itself is quite lively and popular with the youth of the
country and the music is very unique. Chiming cymbals, twangy string
instruments complement more..
Festivals Calendar
Rencontres Musicales de Marrakech (March),
Festival Printanier du Théâtre Universitaire de
Marrakech (March)
Festival International de la Magie (March, Marrakesh)
Festival International d'Art Vidéo
(March, Casablanca)
Festival International des Nomades (March, M'hamid El Ghizlane)
Festival International du Cinéma Méditerranéen de
Tétouan (March)
Festival international du Théâtre de l'Enfant (March, Chefchaouen)
Printemps Musical des Alizés (April), Essaouira
Festival de Fès de la Culture Soufie: Soufisme et
Développement Humain (April/May, Fès)
"Jardin’Art" Festival de l’Art du Jardin (April, Marrakesh)
The Magic Daraà Festival: La Musique Africaine en
Fête à Zagora (April, vallée du Drâa)
Festival International de Cinéma d’Animation de
Meknès (May)
Festival des Musiques du Désert
(May,Errachidia
Festival du Printemps d’Azemmour
(May)
Festival Cinématographique de Martil (May)
Festival de Musique Sacrée de Fès (June)
Festival du Court Métrage Méditerranéen
(June,
Tangier)
Jazz au Chellah (June, Rabat)
Festival Gnaoua & Musiques du Monde d'Essaouira
(June)
Festival National des Arts Populaires de Marrakech
(July)
Festival de Casablanca (July)
Festival National du Théâtre (July,
Meknès)
Festival International de Rabat (July)
Timitar: Signes et Culture (July,
Agadir)
Festival international
de Volubilis (August)
Festival International du Film de Marrakesh
(December)