Almond Tree Blossom Festival
Tafraoute is a red-walled city that appears to alter its hue at sunset, turning a deep shade of rose. In February, this already blushing town becomes a spectacle of wispy pink Almond tree blossoms. The town souk is bursting with color, and dancers, musicians and storytellers come out to celebrate the approach of spring.
When: Feb 2012 (annual)
Where: Tafraoute, Morocco
Beni Mellal Cotton Festival
A popular, normally packed local event that seems to have a wide draw. Moroccans come from all over the region to enjoy cultural performances, music and dance.
When: March 2011 (annual)
Where: Beni Mellal, Morocco (Tadla-Azilal region)
Sufi Culture Festival
A celebration of Sufi culture and heritage with art exhibitions, lectures, and music concerts.
When: April 2011 (Annual)
Where: Fez, Morocco
Contact: contact@festivalculturesoufie.com; +212 (0) 35 65 39 52/53
Website: festivalculturesoufie.com
Jazzablanca Festival
When: Apr 6-21, 2011 (annual)
Where: Casablanca, Morocco
Address: Megarama Casablanca, Boulevard de la Corniche 20000
Email: contact@jazzablanca.com; jamal.mehyaoui@megarama.info
Phone: +212 (0) 522 39 00 51; +212 (0) 90 10 20 20
Website: jazzablanca.com; megarama.info
CAFTAN
The Moroccan haute couture runway show. At Caftan, the country's best designers reveal their latest creations to a panel of judges. Proceeds go CSSF, an organization that supports the education of rural Moroccan girls by offering scholarships.
When: May 7, 2011 - 8pm (Annual)
Where: Marrakesh, Morocco
Address: Palais des Congrès, Boulevard Mohammed VI 40000
Email: lemansour@iam.net.ma
Website: mansoureddahbi.com
Festival Mawazine
A world music celebration with 1500 concerts plus art exhibitions and street performers. Performing in 2011 will be Shakira, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Joe Cocker, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Earth, Wind and Fire, Kanye West, and Amr Diab.
When: May 20-28, 2011 (annual)
Where: Rabat, Morocco
Website: festivalmawazine.ma
Rose Festival
A photogenic day of music, dancing, and float parades in Morocco's Valley of Roses. It's here that the country's famous scented rose water is produced.
When: May 2011 (annual)
Where: El Kelaa des MGouna, Morocco
Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival
A festival to celebrate the music of the ancient Gnaoua mystical tradition, which has common roots with Haitian voodoo and Brazilian Candomble.
When: June 23-26, 2011 (annual)
Where: Essaouira, Morocco
Contact: ntazi@festival-gnaoua.net; +212 22 2726 02 / 03 / 04
Website: festival-gnaoua.net
Info: essaouira.com
Fez Sacred Music Festival
A gathering of musicians from around the world with the common tie of devotional music. Sufi chants, Spanish guitars, Rajasthani riffs.
When: Jun 3-12, 2011 (annual)
Where: Fez, Morocco
Email: festivaldefes@fesfestival.com; +212 (0) 55 74 05 35
Website: fesfestival.com
Sefrou Cherry Festival
Another photogenic harvest celebration - this one in an ancient walled town, older than 8th century Fez. With a cultural programme that includes a Miss Cherry pageant contest, a torchlit parade, a sporting event, music and dance, and a colorful souk (market), it's a must see.
When: June 2011 (annual)
Where: Sefrou, Morocco - 30km south of Fez (and reachable by Grand Taxi)
Goulmime Camel Fair
This noisy, most famous of Moroccan fairs draws Sahara desert caravan dwellers from as far as Chad and Niger. Tribes like the Tuareg, Fulani, and Rguibat bring their camels and their hand-crafted wares to sell at the fair. This yearly event is the place to pick of unique tribal pieces and see the legendary Guedra dance ritual, performed by women with a kitchen pot (guedra) as a drum.
When: June 2011 (annual)
Where: Goulmime, Morocco (Western Sahara)
Errachidia Desert Music Festival
A popular music festival that every year attracts loads of tourists and a number of recognized music performers.
When: July 2011 (annual)
Where: Errachidia, Morocco
Website: festivaldudesert.com
Sidi Ifni Jumpers Festival
For a cost of 50 Euros (100 at the door), the town of Sidi Ifni hosts a gathering of tribal modern travelers. The event offer a camp ground for revelers to rest in between fire and laser shows, European Dj sets, and traditional Moroccan performances.
When: August 2011 (annual)
Where: Sidi Ifni, Morocco
Contact: jumpersfestival@yahoo.com
Imilchil Marriage Festival
A chance to attend, not one berber wedding, but up to 40.
The Imilchil Marriage Festival is built on berber legend. The story goes, a man and woman were once forbidden to marry. So saddened by their forced parting, the two lovers cried until they died from loss of fluid -- but not before creating the lakes of Tisslit (hers) and Issly (his) near Imilchil. The grieving families, so filled with regret, vowed that no other family should experience such a tragedy. They proclaimed a day on which men and women from different tribes could marry each other - the anniversary date of the couple's death.
When: Sep - Oct 2011 (annual)
Where: Imilchil, Morocco
Festival of Fantasia
This popular festival is organized around a particularly exciting display of Moroccan folklore and traditional customs. Men and women from the Zayaan tribe present a stunning show of skill on horseback.
When: September 2011 (annual)
Where: Meknes, Morocco
Erfoud Date Festival
A festival that takes place in sunny, souther Morocco to celebrate the date harvest. Locals gather in berber tents for 3 days of music, dance, mint tea, and special preparations of the icon desert fruit. On the final day, events are topped of with a camel race.
When: October 2011 (annual)
Where: Erfoud, Morocco
Tissa Horse Festival
A large, lively, and colorful competition festival that annually draws hundreds of prize horses. Riders present their mounts wearing their best finery, and prizes are awarded to the most handsome pairs.
When: October 2011 (annual)
Where: Tissa, Morocco (Fez province)
Marrakech International Film Festival
Normally a spectacle of snake charmers and street performers, the Place Djemaa El Fna is transformed into an open-air cinema to celebrate International film. Past visitors have included Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Francis Ford Coppola, Susan Sarandon, John Malkovich, and writer Paul Coelho, to name of few.
When: December 2011 (annual)
Where: Marrakesh, Morocco
Address: Place Djemaa El Fna
Contact: ffifm@lafondation.ma; +21 (0) 24 43 24 93/94
Website: festivalmarrakech.info
