FEASTS AND FESTIVALS OF MOROCCO

The very word Morocco brings to mind the mysterious and the exotic. The pungent smells of the spice souks, and the sight of people living as they have for hundreds of years remind you that this is a place you will never fully forget, and that your trip to this wonderful country will never end in your mind whenever you go.

There are a couple of big annual events that help visitors unravel the mysteries of Morocco.

Feasts are organized during all seasons, celebrating various local traditions. Festivals are consecrated to the arts and to the popular traditions. "Moussems" are important gathering to pay homage to a special personalities. Do not miss the opportunity to have fun. You can admire fantasias, dances, songs, traditional costumes, and you will participate to the processions and taste the wonderful food.

Camel Feast - Guelmim - July

Asilah Cultural Festival - Asilah - August

Engagement Feast - Imilchil - September: the Imilchil Moussem. This "engagement festival" takes place in the High Atlas Mountains and brings neighboring tribes together with the purpose of marrying off eligible bachelors and bachelorettes.

Horse Festival - Tissa (Fès) - September

Date Feast - Erfoud - October

Sacred Music Festival - Fès - May: The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music highlights everything from Berber trance music to American Gospel in an effort to show music‎s power to commune with a higher power.

Agadir Festival - Décember

Almond tree blossom - Tafraout - February

Rose Feast - El Kelaâ M'Gouna - May

Wax Candle Feast - Salé - May

Desert Symphony Feast - Ouarzazate - June

Cherry Feast - Séfrou - June

April Marathon des Sables (Marathon of the Sands) Near OuarzazateThe Marathon Des Sables, a grueling six-day, 150-mile footrace across the Sahara Desert near Ouarzazate

Popular Arts Festival - Marrakech - June: The Marrakesh Festival of Popular Arts invites artists, craftsmen, musicians, acrobats, fire swallowers and dancers from every corner of the country to perform at the Ksar el Badi Palace and other locations in the old city.

MAJOR MOUSSEMS

Moussem of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (near the city of Meknès) - End of July

Moussem of Moulay Abdellah - El Jadida - August