The Best Music Festivals in Morocco

When it comes to festivals, the northwest African country of Morocco offers something completely different to what you typically find in Europe and the UK. It's home to Mawazine, one of the biggest festivals in the world and lots of growing festivals spanning jazz, dance, hip-hop, and more. 

As most of Morocco’s music festivals are going down later on in the year, we kept some 2023 lineups in this guide to give you an idea of the music each festival brings until they announce their 2024 artists.

We won’t keep you waiting any longer. Here are the best music festivals in Morocco.

 

Mawazine

Photo: Festival Mawazine / Facebook.com

When: Friday 21st -  Friday 29th June 2024 

Where: Rabat, Morocco

2024 lineup: TBA

Mawazine, one of the biggest festivals in the world, returns in 2024 after a three-year hiatus. The festival’s name roughly translates to “Rhythms of the World”, reflecting its openness in welcoming over 2.5 million music fans from all over. 

To give you an idea of some of the huge artists that play Mawazine, in 2019, David Guetta, Rosalia, J Balvin, Future, Travis Scott, Black Eyed Peas, Migos, Marshmello, Maluma, and Karol G all performed as well as smaller local artists. 

You know what makes Mawazine that much better? Most of it’s free. Yep, Mawazine offers free access to around 90% of the shows. Incredible.  

 

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Oasis Festival 

Photo: Oasis Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Friday 13th - Sunday 15th September 2024

Where: TBA, in Morocco 

2023 lineup: Honey Dijon, Artbat, Jyoty, Partiboi69 B2B Labat, Draganov, Ahadadream, Romy, Paula Tape, Sofia Kourtesis, and more 

For fans of dance music, Oasis is definitely one of the best festivals in Morocco in 2024.

Championing underground electronic artists, Oasis Festival welcomes you to join the party while enjoying art, culture, food, and more. Both international and local DJs will soundtrack this intimate festival with visual artists to bring it all to life. 

In the past, the festival has begun to reveal artists around March time, so give them a follow on social media and keep your eyes peeled for the first announcement! 

 

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L’Boulevard Festival

Photo: L'Boulevard / Facebook.com

When: TBA, usually in September-November time

Where: TBA, usually in Casablanca, in Morocco 

2023 lineup: Decapitated, Djmawi Africa, Thrillogy, Minerva, Ayman Hero, Meteor Airlines, and more

L’Boulevard, or Boulevard Festival, focuses on hip-hop, rock, and metal, with some other genres, including reggae, Latin, fusion genres, world music, and indie. The festival started over twenty years ago by promoting local metal bands and has grown to become one of the biggest music festivals in Morocco. It’s typically split into days for rock and metal, hip-hop, and alternative music, so you can focus on the tunes that best suit your tastes. 

Seeing as the 2023 edition happened in November, this is one you’re going to have to check up on every now and then to confirm the festival is definitely happening this year, and for lineup announcements. 

 

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Jazzablanca Festival 

Photo: Jazzablanca Festival - Morocco (Official) / Facebook.com

When: Thursday 6th - Saturday 8th June 2024

Where: TBA, in Casablanca, Morocco 

2023 lineup: Nile Rodgers & Chic, Mika, Beth Hart, Aloe Blacc, La Femme, GoGo Penguin, and more 

2024 will see the 17th edition of this jazz festival with big international names on the scene taking to the stage. But the sounds of Jazzabanca aren’t limited to jazz. You can discover pop, soul, folk, funk, and world music there, with music spread across two sites! Thousands of people head over every year to enjoy the unique energy and creative atmosphere, expanding their musical horizons along the way. And the fest usually has free performances! 

 

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Origins Festival Spring Edition 

Photo: Origins Festival / Facebook.com 

When: Saturday 20th April 2024 

Where: TBA, in Marrakech, Morocco 

2024 lineup: Avangart Tabldot, Mimi x Fy, Henri Bergmann, Holly Molly, and more TBA

This year, Origins Festival celebrates all four seasons with a party for each. But since the spring edition is the closest, and since we have a confirmed date for it, we’ll be having a look at that one. 

One for the ravers, Origins has helped create a raving community in Morocco since its inception in 2017. While the fest mainly shines a light on those lesser-known names, they’ve brought in some fairly big names in the past including Deborah De Luca. Music at Origins is typically centred around house and techno.

 

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MOGA Festival

Photo: Moga Festival / Facebook.com 

When: October 2024  

Where: Essaouira in Morocco 

2023 lineup: Gerd Janson, Malika, Guedra Guedra, Jayda G, Funkiya Tanaka, Astral Wayne, A Guy Called Gerald (live), and more

MOGA Festival, which also goes down in Portugal, brings electronic music to Essaouira, a stunning coastal town and UNESCO heritage city, along with art, wellness, food, and talks. Local and international music fans flock to MOGA to enjoy established international talent and local up-and-coming gems. Music is often showcased in the medina, immersing attendees in Morocco’s rich culture.

 

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Otium Festival

Photo: Otium Festival / Facebook.com 

When: TBA 

Where: TBA, usually in Taghazout Bay, Morocco 

2023 lineup: Lilly Palmer, Marco Carola, Eli Brown, Franky Rizardo, Saib, Da Mike, and more 

Usually a two-day event, Otium provides an intimate music experience featuring some acclaimed international artists as well as some smaller local ones. Alongside the music, Otium aims to showcase the best of Morocco through cultural experiences, activities, and food. 

A festival with a lot to offer, before the tunes start, you can also check out art installations and get stuck into outdoorsy activities like sandboarding down dunes, surfing, skateboarding, paddleboarding, hiking, and checking out waterfalls and beaches. And there’s more! The fest also offers yoga, breathwork, cocktail bars, and afterparties.

Nestled between the Atlas Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, nature plays a key role at Otium Festival. 

 

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Over the years, Morocco’s festival scene has grown stronger and stronger, attracting music fans from all over. And with electronic, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, world music and more, Morocco music festivals offer a truly unique experience you just can’t find in the UK and across Europe. If you’re thinking about heading out to one of these cracking festivals, don’t forget your sun cream!  

Search Skiddle now to find your dream festival. Or check out the best dance and EDM, house and techno, or trance festivals. 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

Header: Oasis Festival / Facebook.com