Marrakech Arts Festival

The Marrakech Arts Festival is one of the oldest festivals in Morocco. It was created in 1960, as a cultural event that reflects the richness and diversity of folk arts in Morocco as well as its artistic events. Held annually in July, it is one of the most celebrated events in Morocco.

To celebrate Morocco’s rich heritage, traditional music weaves around more modern styles, fire-eaters perform alongside traditional storytellers, and the men of Morocco keep the traditions of horsemanship alive in Fantasias; spectacular displays of riding and control that take place outside city walls.

The Festival has always has been open to the international audience and attracts artists from all over the world. It showcases dances, songs and costumes including Atlas dances, Gnaoua dances, Saharan dances, acrobats and other performance artists with their fascinating and often diverse range of music, skills and styles.

The festival events takes place at several venues around the city such as, the Djemma el-Fna and El Badi Palace, another majestic setting which provides the perfect authentic backdrop for the event. The popular, main square and market place, Djemaa el Fna, is home to a dizzying array of orange juice stalls, cafes, food stalls, hawkers and entertainers.