The Exact Dates & Tips You Won’t Find on Regular Calendars
2025 is packed with world-class festivals, ancient pilgrimages, and once-in-a-lifetime celebrations. Here are the 14 unmissable events (with confirmed or projected 2025 dates) and exactly how to experience them like a local, not a tourist.
| Month | Festival / Event | Location | 2025 Dates (confirmed or expected) | Why You Should Go & Pro Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 28–Mar 30 | Ramadan | Nationwide | 28 Feb – 30 Mar | Night markets explode after iftar. Best cities: Fes & Salé. Alcohol unavailable in small towns. |
| March 30 | Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) | Everywhere | 30–31 Mar | Families dress up, sweets everywhere. Great time for home invitations. |
| January 11 | Independence Manifesto Day (public holiday) | Nationwide | 11 Jan | Low-key but many offices close. |
| May 1–the first weekend | Marrakech International Film Festival | Marrakech | Expected 2–10 May | Red carpet at Jemaa el-Fnaa, free outdoor screenings. Book hotels 6 months ahead. |
| June 12–20 | Gnaoua World Music Festival | Essaouira | 12–15 June (tbc) | The African “Woodstock”. Free concerts on the beach, trance ceremonies at night. Best festival in Morocco. |
| June 26–July 5 | Fès Festival of World Sacred Music | Fes | 26 Jun – 5 Jul (tbc) | Evening concerts inside Bab Makina, afternoon free performances in the medina. Sufi nights are magical. |
| July 10–20 | Marrakech Popular Arts Festival | Marrakech | 10–15 July (tbc) | Acrobats, snake charmers, Berber musicians take over Jemaa el-Fnaa – totally free and chaotic in the best way. |
| July 29–Aug 6 | Moussem of Moulay Abdellah el Haj | Near El Jadida | 29 Jul – 6 Aug (tbc) | One of the biggest horse fantasia (charging warriors firing guns) in the country. Stay in a nearby riad. |
| August (full moon) | Imilchil Marriage Festival (Berber “Love Market”) | High Atlas, Imilchil | 19–21 September (moved to avoid heat) | Young Berber couples choose partners in traditional ceremony. Camping + home-stays only. |
| August 14 | Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day (public holiday) | Nationwide | 14 Aug | Fireworks in Laâyoune & Dakhla. |
| August 20 | Revolution of the King and People | Nationwide | 20 Aug | Parades and concerts. |
| August 21 | King Mohammed VI’s Birthday | Everywhere | 21 Aug | National holiday – everything closes, street parties at night. |
| September 19–21 | Imilchil Wedding Festival (confirmed shift) | Imilchil, Atlas | 19–21 Sep | New cooler dates! Book guides and tents early. |
| September/October | Date Festival | Erfoud, Merzouga | 24–26 October (tbc) | 100+ varieties of dates, parades, music. Perfect to combine with a desert tour. |
| November 6 | Green March Day (public holiday) | Nationwide | 6 Nov | Patriotic celebrations. |
| November 18 | Independence Day | Nationwide | 18 Nov | Big parades in Rabat & Casablanca. |
| December | Tan Tan Moussem (Saharan culture) | Tan Tan (Western Sahara) | December (dates tbc) | Camel races, traditional tents, Gnawa & Hassani music. Very authentic. |
Top 5 Festivals You Should Actually Plan Your Trip Around
- Gnaoua Festival – Essaouira → Book 9–12 months ahead. Stay inside the medina.
- Fès Sacred Music → Tickets for Bab Makina go on sale in March.
- Imilchil Marriage Festival → Only reachable by 4×4. We organize private camping + local family dinners.
- Erfoud Date Festival → Combine with 2-night Erg Chebbi desert tour – dates + dunes = perfection.
- Marrakech Film Festival → Free screenings every night in Jemaa el-Fnaa – bring a cushion!
Practical Tips for Festival Season
- Hotels triple in price and sell out 6–12 months early during major events.
- Private 4×4 + driver is essential for Imilchil, Tan Tan, and most moussems.
- Alcohol is unavailable or very limited during religious festivals.
- Book flights early – Royal Air Maroc adds extra routes during big events.
Want VIP Access & Zero Stress?
We secure the best festival tickets, private transfers, and hard-to-get riad rooms months in advance.
📱 WhatsApp: +212 663 752 058 (write “2025 festivals” for the full calendar PDF)
📧 Email: contact@amoroccotour.com
2025 is the year to experience Morocco when it celebrates the loudest.