Good to know
Good to Know
- Many cultural festivals and events require booking accommodations well in advance, especially the Film Festival and Biennale.
- Dates for Islamic calendar-based events (Eid el-Kebir) vary yearly; verify exact timing before travel.
- Many ticket stands and vendors accept cash only; bring dirham notes.
- Dress modestly for religious or spiritual events; dress casually for street performances and markets.
- Open-air events like the July Popular Arts Festival can run late into the evening.
Events
Marrakech International Film Festival
- Type
- Cultural film
- Month
- December
- Entry Fee
- MAD 80
- Highlights
- Includes both open-air screenings on Jemaa el-Fna and gala events at Palais des Congrès
- Description
- One of Morocco's most important cultural events, attracting filmmakers and cinephiles globally. Features diverse films from local and international productions.
Orange Blossom Festival (Zahria)
- Type
- Cultural heritage
- Month
- Late March to April
- Entry Fee
- MAD 50
- Highlights
- Demonstrations by local women at Jemaa el-Fna and Arsat Moulay Abdessalam gardens
- Description
- Recognized as part of Morocco's intangible cultural heritage, celebrating centuries-old orange blossom distillation traditions.
Marrakech Biennale
- Type
- Contemporary art
- Month
- February (odd-numbered years)
- Highlights
- Often free; art installations throughout medina and historic riads
- Description
- Contemporary art festival featuring avant-garde exhibitions, performances, and installations. Helps position Marrakech as a center of contemporary art in Africa.
National Festival of Popular Arts
- Type
- Cultural heritage
- Month
- July
- Entry Fee
- MAD 0.00
- Highlights
- Free performances at El Badi Palace and Jemaa el-Fna; features Berber dancers, Gnawa orchestras, storytellers
- Description
- UNESCO-recognized heritage festival showcasing Moroccan traditional dances, music, and cultural performances.
Spring of Poetry
- Type
- Literary arts
- Month
- March
- Highlights
- Various venues in medina and riads; intimate format with authors
- Description
- Annual poetic event featuring film screenings, exhibitions, animations, and reading sessions celebrating literary arts.
Marrakech Du Rire
- Type
- comedy
- Month
- Variable (typically June/July)
- Highlights
- Multiple venues across the city
- Description
- International 5-day comedy festival gathering comedians from Morocco and globally, with performances mostly in French and Arabic.
Eid el-Kebir (Feast of Sacrifice)
- Type
- Religious cultural
- Month
- Variable (Islamic calendar; 2026 approximately late June)
- Highlights
- Families gather for celebrations; markets busier; spiritual significance
- Description
- Combines religious rituals and major social gatherings, one of Marrakech's most important traditional festivities.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Marrakech
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.