Marrakech Events Calendar 2026–2027: Festivals, World Cup & Culture

Football fans, festival hoppers, art collectors, runners, foodies — over the next two years, Marrakech has something major on the agenda almost every week. Here’s our complete guide to the biggest events shaping the Red City and its region in 2026 and 2027, curated by the team at Unitour Maroc.

Why 2026–2027 will be Marrakech’s biggest two years yet

Marrakech doesn’t just host events — it choreographs them. The locals have a word for it: Bahja, the joyful spirit of the Red City. Between May 2026 and April 2027, that spirit is officially set to its highest setting, with a calendar curated by the Conseil Régional du Tourisme de Marrakech – Safi under the Bahja Spirit banner.

The line-up reads like a love letter to everything Morocco does best:

Headline sport — FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, the Marrakech International Marathon, the Hassan II Tennis Grand Prix, and the local football pride, KAC Marrakech.
Festivals with global reach — the 23rd Marrakech International Film Festival, Gnaoua & World Music in Essaouira, the Marrakech Comedy Festival, MOGA, and the Rencontres de la Photographie de Marrakech marking 200 years of photography.
High-end business tourism — PURE Life Experiences, GITEX Africa, Africa Wellness Congress, the 100 Most Reputable Africans Summit, an OVPM World Congress, plus dental and “blue economy” forums.
Pure culture & heritage — Festival National des Arts Populaires (55th edition), Yves Saint Laurent exhibitions, Andalusian, Sufi and Malhoun music, Hadra and Trance, and dozens of regional moussems in the High Atlas and the plains.

Whether you’re planning a leisure trip, a corporate gathering, an incentive program, or simply looking for the right week to come, this guide tells you what’s happening, when, and why it matters.

Marrakech events calendar 2026 — month by month

May 2026 — Photography, comedy and big ideas

May is the month Marrakech wakes up culturally. The 3rd edition of Le Mai de la Photo (29 April – 31 May 2026) takes over more than a dozen venues across the city, from the Institut Français and Maison Denise Masson to MACAAL, Les Étoiles de Jemaa El Fna and the YSL Museum. It’s free, walkable, and the most photogenic excuse you’ll ever have to wander Marrakech in spring.

At the same time, Meydene Theatre hosts a remarkable comedy and music run:

14 May — DEBOUT, a tribute to Jacques Brel marking 70 years since his first steps on Moroccan soil.
15 May — Hanane Fadili — 30 ans de Rire, the queen of Moroccan stand-up.
16 May — Overflow – 30 ans de grâce, the anniversary concert of Marrakech’s parish choir.
17 May — Loubna Jaouhari’s One Woman Show debut at Meydene.
23 May — Dakirat Al Oughnia Al Maghribia, an ode to Morocco’s musical memory.
30 May — D’Jal brings his Comedy Show to Marrakech.

For the business community, the Congrès International “Vers une économie bleue régénératrice et inclusive” opens on 12 May at FSJES Cadi Ayyad, while the 2nd edition of the Festival du Cinéma et de l’Histoire de Marrakech (20–24 May) explores how cinema documents the city’s medina.

Plan it. May is the sweet spot — warm days, mild evenings, jacaranda in full bloom across Guéliz. A four-day cultural escape easily strings together photography openings, a Meydene comedy night and an Atlas day trip.

June 2026 — World Cup, comedy and Gnaoua fever

June is when the city goes truly global.

4–6 June — 1st edition of the Marrakech Comedy Festival at the Palais des Congrès, with francophone and arabophone galas (some destined for Disney+).
11 June – 19 July — FIFA World Cup 2026 — the biggest sporting event on the planet sweeps across North America and Morocco. Marrakech and its region are in pole position for fan zones, hospitality programs and side events.
12–13 June — AMIED International Dental Congress: science, art and dentistry, with international speakers.
19–21 June — 100 Most Reputable Africans: a leadership summit gathering 100 of the continent’s most influential decision-makers in Marrakech.
23–25 June — Festival National de la Gastronomie Authentique in Safi, featuring Chef Rachid Ahram of The Private Chef Marrakech.
25–27 June — the legendary Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira: trance, fusion and lila nights on the Atlantic coast.

MICE tip. With the World Cup on, expect strong hotel demand. Book hospitality programs, F&B venues and transfers as early as possible — Unitour can lock down full-service packages with priority access.

July 2026 — Folklore, exhibitions and Atlantic vibes

July is the month Moroccan heritage takes center stage with the 55th edition of the Festival National des Arts Populaires (2–6 July) — troupes from every region of the Kingdom converge on Marrakech for five nights of dance, music and folklore.

Other highlights:

11 July — Fehd Benchemsi & The Lalla at Meydene, blending Gnawa, afro-soul and contemporary world music.
26 July — Raï Old School with Sami Bey at Meydene: a nostalgic dive into the golden age of Algerian-Moroccan Raï.
Until 2 August — exhibition “David Seidner – Yves Saint Laurent” at the YSL Museum, revisiting the photographer’s iconic collaboration with the couture house.

September 2026 — Luxury travel and short films

September is the most strategic business-tourism month of the year:

7–10 September — PURE Life Experiences at the Palais des Congrès: the world’s leading luxury travel trade show, the place where high-end DMCs (like Unitour) meet the world’s top buyers.
25–30 September — Marrakech Short Film Festival, 6th edition.
27 September — World Tourism Day, with city-wide programs around sustainable travel.
Until 29 September — exhibition “Yves Saint Laurent et ses chiens” at the YSL Museum.

October 2026 — Wellness, photography and women in sport

Marrakech and its region hit peak diversity in October:

4 October — La Kéchoise, 6th edition: the iconic women’s race for Octobre Rose, in support of breast cancer awareness.
8–11 October — Festival Esther & Salma in Essaouira (3rd edition), exploring identity and memory across cinema, music and theatre.
12–13 October — Africa Wellness Congress Marrakech: holistic health, wellness entrepreneurship and sustainability for Africa.
Throughout October — Festival du Chant Malhoun et de la Chanson Patriotique and the Festival International du Folklore Mondial – “World Folklore” turn Marrakech into a global stage for traditional culture.
19–24 October — Trek des Gazelles by Mélanie in Essaouira: an all-women solidarity trek.
26–29 October — OVPM World Congress – Nouveau Projet Urbain: mayors, urbanists and heritage experts on the future of UNESCO World Heritage cities.
28–31 October — Rencontres de la Photographie de Marrakech (RPM), 6th edition, celebrating the bicentenary of photography (1826–2026).

November 2026 — Cinema, gastronomy and Atlantic Andalusia

The autumn climax:

8–13 November — Trek’in Gazelles: women’s solidarity walking marathon.
14–16 November — Marrakech Coffee & Tea Festival: tastings, masterclasses and demos by international experts.
20–28 November — Marrakech International Film Festival – 23rd edition: Morocco’s red-carpet moment with international stars, masterclasses and competition films.
November — Festival des Andalousies Atlantiques in Essaouira: a celebration of Moroccan-Jewish and Andalusian musical heritage.

December 2026 — Sport, surf, Sufi music and jazz

A surprisingly full month:

Semi-Marathon International de Tamansourt (4th edition).
Safi Surf Invitational Festival – Ras Lafaâ: surf, maritime culture and art.
Samaa Marrakech, 15th edition: Sufi music, dhikr ceremonies and mystical chants from Moroccan and international brotherhoods.
26–28 December — Festival Jazz sous l’Arganier in Essaouira: intimate jazz under the argan trees.
December — Festival Hadra Féminine et Musique de Transe in Essaouira: female-led trance music and intangible heritage.
11 December — International Mountain Day, with programs in Al Haouz dedicated to sustainable mountain tourism.

Marrakech events calendar 2027 — the year ahead

January 2027 — Running, storytelling and English literature

A literary, athletic start to the year:

January — Marrakech International Marathon: the iconic flat-and-fast course through Guéliz and the medina.
January — European Film Weeks at the Institut Français network.
15–17 January — Marrakech English Book Festival, in partnership with the Fondation Nationale des Musées du Maroc.
16–23 January — Festival International du Conte de Marrakech, 4th edition: storytelling, the oldest art form, in its spiritual home.

The exhibition “Yves Saint Laurent en scène” runs at the YSL Museum until 5 January 2027 — a fresh look at YSL’s lesser-known work for theatre, ballet and music hall.

February 2027 — Galleries, love and Ramadan

February — La Nuit des Galeries: Marrakech’s contemporary art scene opens after dark for a single, magical night.
14 February — Valentine’s Day in Marrakech: rooftops, riads, hammams and palace dinners turn the Red City into a top destination for short romantic getaways.
February — Les Nuits du Ramadan: nightly cultural and spiritual programs across the city — Sufi concerts, conferences and traditional halqa evenings.

March 2027 — Tennis, fashion and the orange-blossom moussem

A signature month for sport and lifestyle:

20 March — International Day of Happiness (L’Bahja): a citywide celebration of well-being and inclusion.
March — La Zahria de Marrakech, 15th edition: the moussem of the orange blossom, one of the city’s most intangible-heritage moments.
March — Grand Prix Hassan II de Tennis, 40th edition: an ATP-tour stop and Africa’s leading international tennis tournament.
March — Maroc Fashion Week Marrakech: runways, gala dinners and B2B meetings for the Moroccan and international fashion industry.

April 2027 — Heritage and African literature

April — Journées du Patrimoine de Turath, 5th edition: the city’s flagship heritage days, dedicated to safeguarding Marrakech’s tangible and intangible patrimony.
April — Festival du Livre Africain de Marrakech (FLAM), 5th edition: African literature, diaspora voices, debates and book launches.

The KAC Marrakech football fixtures (May–July 2026)

For football fans, the Kawkab Athletic Club plays a packed run in the Botola Pro Moroccan championship. Fixtures fall every weekend from 11 May to 11 July 2026, with home matches against COD Meknès, Raja Casablanca, Ittihad Tanger, FUS Rabat and MAS Fès — and away trips to Yacoub El Mansour, UTS Rabat, OC Safi, FAR Rabat and Difaa El Jadida.

Insider tip. A KAC home game at the Grand Stade de Marrakech is one of the most authentic sports experiences you can build into a cultural tour — let us secure the seats and the pre-game tagine.

Moussems & the Marrakech region: the timeless layer

Beyond the festivals and conferences, the moussems of the Marrakech–Safi region offer something no programming committee can manufacture: living tradition. These pilgrimages, mixed with music, fantasia, markets and family reunions, follow the rhythm of the saints, seasons and harvests.

Among the most spectacular in 2026–2027:

Moussem Moulay Brahim — Zaouiate Moulay Brahim (Tahanaout), February. Sufi rituals at the foot of the High Atlas.
Moussem Sidi Tassaft & Moussem Sidi Chamhrouche — Imlil / Toubkal area, March.
Moussem Sidi Ahmed Ben Mohammed, Sidi Lahsen ou Hmad — Chichaoua province, February–March.
Moussem Sidi Abdellah Ghiate — Aite Ourir, mid-September.
Moussem de Sidi Mokhtar Sebaai — Chichaoua province, 21–24 August.
Moussem Setti Fattma — Tleta Nyacoub (Ourika valley), summer & Achoura.
Moussem Zaouit Oum Rbat — at the foot of Jbel Toubkal, August.
Moussems Sidi Ahmed Ou Ali, Sid Ben Daouad, Sidi Lahcen, Sidi Abdellah Sarrakh — Chichaoua and Ouled Dlim region, August–September.

Why this matters for travelers. Moussems are the closest you’ll get to an unfiltered Morocco — fantasia charges, brass-band processions, traditional guedra dances, hand-stitched caftans, the smell of grilled lamb and orange-flower water. None of it stages itself for tourists; you simply walk in.

The weekly souks of the Marrakech region

If your trip falls between two festivals, the rural souks of Marrakech–Safi run all year. Each day of the week has its own village:

Monday — Ourika, Loudaya, Sidi Bouatman.
Tuesday — Aït Ourir, Amizmiz, Ouled Dlim, Tahanaoute.
Wednesday — Souihla, Terdouine.
Thursday — Ourika, Ouirgane.
Friday — Ghmat, Mnabha, Tameslouht, Kettara.
Saturday — Aït Imour, Asni, Ben Sassi, Chichaoua (the famous souk of reptiles), Dar Jdida – Aït Bou Riah, Ouled Hassoune.
Sunday — Mejate, Mnabha, Sidi Zouine, Sidi Abdallah Ghiat, Ouled Dlim.

Travel tip. Souks open early. Arrive before 9 a.m. for the freshest produce, the calmest atmosphere and the most natural photos. Souk days can shift around religious holidays — always confirm with your guide.

Why book your 2026–2027 Marrakech trip with Unitour

With this many headline events crammed into 24 months, the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one comes down to one thing: timing and access.

As a Marrakech-based DMC active since 1981, Unitour Maroc delivers:

End-to-end MICE production for conferences, incentives and gala dinners — from Palais des Congrès take-overs to Agafay desert evenings.
Local expertise on moussems, souks, riad bookings, private chefs and Atlas trekking.
A network of trusted partners across hospitality, transport, security, photography and entertainment.

Ready to plan your trip to Marrakech in 2026 or 2027?

Tell us which events caught your eye — we’ll build the rest around them.

Sources: Official Bahja Spirit Events Agenda 2026–2027, published by the Conseil Régional du Tourisme de Marrakech – Safi (last updated 12 May 2026). Event dates may be modified by organizers; please verify directly with each organizer or on visitmarrakech.com.

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