From Mawazine to Jazzablanca: 5 Moroccan Festivals to Add to Your Summer Plans
Morocco’s festival scene in 2025 is a deep dive into its musical roots and contemporary global beats, played out in quiet seaside towns and lively city stages. Expect a lineup of Gnaoua chants, electronic beats, and smooth jazz, with both homegrown artists and international names on the bill.
If you’re after close-up, low-key shows or bigger, more energetic crowds, this season has a lot in store for you.
Timelapse Festival – Bouznika
May 23–24
If you’re into deep Afro-house and electronic beats, Timelapse Festival in Bouznika, the coastal town in Morocco situated between Casablanca and Rabat, makes for an ideal destination.
Set right by the Atlantic Ocean at The View Hotel, this two-day event brings you close to the action with local and international DJs like AMÉMÉ, CAIIRO B2B ENOO NAPA, and Emanuel Satie. The seaside setting adds a fresh, organic feel that complements the music and the sound of the waves.
Summer Sound Festival – Rabat
May 29–31
Rabat’s Summer Sound Festival mixes Afrobeat, rap, and Latin rhythms over three lively nights at Club Wifaq. This cozy spot in the heart of the city hosts a buzzing crowd ready to dance and connect through music.
The lineup includes Grammy winner and Buena Vista Social Club member, Eliades Ochoa, French/Congolese rapper, Ninho, and Afropop and R&B rising star, Franglish.
Gnaoua & World Music Festival – Essaouira
June 19–21
Essaouira’s iconic Gnaoua & World Music Festival is a must for anyone curious about Morocco’s rich musical heritage. For this 26th edition, the city’s ancient medina and open-air squares will come alive with Gnaoua rhythms, where Moroccan masters or ‘Maâlems’ will jam alongside world artists.
The lineup includes Maâlem Morad ElMarjan with Tunisian oud master Dhafer Youssef, and Asmaa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou with Malian singer Rokia Koné.
The festival will also include the “Berklee on the Road” program, to provide immersive learning experiences for professional and semi-professional musicians.
Mawazine Festival – Rabat
June 20–28
Mawazine is a massive musical festival that turns Rabat into a nonstop party for nine days. From June 20 to 28, stages pop up across the city in sprawling parks and historic theaters, hosting international megastars and Moroccan artists.
This year’s lineup includes famous pop stars Wael Jassar and Ruby, international rapper 50 Cent, and hip-hop/R&B artist Kid Cudi, among many others.
Jazzablanca – Casablanca
July 3–12
Casablanca’s Jazzablanca festival brings jazz, funk, soul, and world music in one lush outdoor setting in Anfa Park. The festival offers a laid-back yet electric atmosphere where you can soak up great tunes under palm trees and open skies.
This year’s lineup includes international and regional talents like Black Eyed Peas, Macklemore, and jazz musician Ibrahim Maalouf, among others.
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