Festivals and Events

The Roses Festival - Kelaa M’Gouna (Ourzazate) (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 busfrom Ourzazate down the Valley of the Roses. It is traditionally held on the second weekend of May. The folkloric dances such as the Ahidous, the sabre dance and the bee dance liven up the nights during these celebrations.

Traditional handicrafts Festival - Zagora (May)

Zagora is the first main city on the way to the Sahara Desert. Artisans from all over Morocco will be traveling to Zambia to show their products - ranging from wood carvings, traditional silver jewellery, moroccan silk handwoven hammocks, embroidery, to pottery decorated with henna. There are many beautiful hotels nestled in the palmary where one can relax by the pool between outings.

Festival of World Sacred Music - Fès (May/June)

Fez, Spiritual Capital of the country, gathers each year a convergence of world cultures that are in close contact without knowing it. Born to foster globalization, this event, started in 1994, has already gained international fame.

Festival of popular arts - Marrakech (June)

This agricultural Moussem is organized to promote the rural and agricultural world, highlighting the development projects of almond trees, olive trees and fig trees and forest essences in the region as well as the almond tree species grown in the Aknoul region. The event is followed by the parade of Miss Almonds, an endless procession of flowered floats, a multitude of folk troupes, a parade of horsemen with harnessed horses. The event is often marked, aside from the artistic performances, by seminary debates on the cultural techniques of the almond tree.

Gnawa Music Festival of Essaouira - Essaouira (June)

This event gathers the best Gnawa music groups, as well as several American and European Jazz bands. 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 trancelike vocals. There are numerous stages throughout the town with different acts.

Engagement and wedding Festival - Imilchil (August-September)

One of the most famous festivals in Morocco is this festival of engagement and weddings especialy in the village of Ait Amer about 20 km from Imilchil. Now it's combined with the second festival in Imilchil called Festival of mountain top music in Imilchil: "Festival de musique des cimes ". They are usualy held in the last week of August In Imilchil or in September, not very far from the lakes.

Date Festival - Erfoud (beginning of 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.