# Morocco 2026 music festivals > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/morocco-2026-music-festivals > Updated: 2026-09-08T10:25:28.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 20. August continued the momentum with several major events. The 12th Mediterranean Festival in Nador ended on 2 August, drawing over 45,000 spectators. The 14th edition of the Oudaya Summer International Festival of Arts and Culture launched in Rabat under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, featuring tributes to Mahmoud Makri and Fouad Zadi. The Rab'Africa Festival in Rabat further emphasized the capital as a cultural destination. The 2026 edition at the Bouregreg stage celebrated musical ties between Morocco and the African continent. Opening night featured artists Duke and Dizzy Rose, while subsequent days included performances by Lamiaa Zaidi and Sami Ray, drawing high attendance from residents of Rabat, Salé, Témara, and Tamesna. The 22nd edition of the Maroc Telecom Beach Festival, which ran from 20 July to 21 August, concluded after attracting more than four million spectators across 60 musical evenings. Spanning the coastal cities of M'diq, Tangier, Al Hoceima, and Saïdia, the festival featured over 120 Moroccan and international artists performing genres such as rap, hip-hop, Shaabi, Amazigh, Rai, Reggada, fusion, and oriental music. The Saïdia stage opened on 18 August with performances by local artist Mohamed Ramzi and Badr Soultan. To support local talent, each evening included a performance by a regional group. The event also integrated national celebrations like Throne Day and Youth Day, while renewing support for the ‘Clean Beaches 2026’ initiative to promote coastal preservation. In the El Jadida province, the Moulay Abdellah Amghar Festival concluded its latest edition, which began on 7 August. The event featured religious, cultural, and heritage activities, such as falconry, the revival of the ‘Halqa’ art form, and traditional Tbourida equestrian shows. Looking ahead, Morocco is preparing for major industry and festival events. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Morocco hosts major music industry and festival events Morocco prepares for major musical events, including the 2026 Visa For Music industry market in Rabat and the 24th L’Boulevard festival in Casablanca featuring international artists. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morocco-hosts-major-music-industry-and-festival-events ### 2026-08-27: Maroc Telecom Beach Festival attracts 4 million spectators The 22nd Maroc Telecom Beach Festival attracted over four million spectators across four Moroccan coastal cities, featuring 60 musical events and environmental awareness initiatives. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maroc-telecom-beach-festival-attracts-4-million-spectators ### 2026-08-22: Cheb Khaled and Issam Kamal headline Rab Africa Festival in Rabat Cheb Khaled and Issam Kamal headlined the 9th Rab Africa Festival at the Bouregreg stage in Rabat, performing for thousands of spectators. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cheb-khaled-and-issam-kamal-headline-rab-africa-festival-in-rabat ### 2026-08-21: Al Hoceima Beach Festival concludes 22nd edition in Morocco The 22nd Al Hoceima Beach Festival in Morocco concluded with major musical performances by artists including Zouhair Bahaoui and Khaled Bennani, drawing large crowds to the coastal city. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-hoceima-beach-festival-concludes-22nd-edition-in-morocco ### 2026-08-18: Saïdia hosts opening of 22nd Festival des Plages The 22nd Festival des Plages has opened in Saïdia, featuring performances by local and national Moroccan artists through August 21. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sadia-hosts-opening-of-22nd-festival-des-plages ### 2026-08-15: Rab'Africa Festival 2026 celebrates Moroccan and African culture in Rabat The Rab'Africa Festival 2026 has launched in Rabat, Morocco, featuring musical performances by Duke, Dizzy Rose, and Lamiaa Zaidi to promote Moroccan and African cultural exchange. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rabafrica-festival-2026-celebrates-moroccan-and-african-culture-in-rabat ### 2026-08-14: Cultural festivals conclude in Morocco and Tunisia Major cultural festivals in Morocco and Tunisia have concluded, with the Moulay Abdellah Amghar Festival celebrating Moroccan heritage and the 60th Hammamet International Festival marking its milestone in Tunis 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cultural-festivals-conclude-in-morocco-and-tunisia ### 2026-08-13: Maroc Telecom Beach Festival opens Al Hoceima stage The Maroc Telecom Beach Festival has opened its third summer stage in Al Hoceima, featuring free concerts for locals and tourists through August 21. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maroc-telecom-beach-festival-opens-al-hoceima-stage ### 2026-08-10: Oudaya Summer Festival opens 14th edition in Rabat The 14th Oudaya Summer International Festival of Arts and Culture has opened in Rabat, featuring tributes to artists Mahmoud Makri and Fouad Zadi alongside diverse Moroccan and international musical acts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oudaya-summer-festival-opens-14th-edition-in-rabat ### 2026-08-05: Moroccan music festivals face criticism over opaque programming and artist exclusion Moroccan festival managers decry opaque programming, repeated line‑ups and exclusion of new artists, calling for a unified platform to ensure transparency and fair pay. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccan-music-festivals-face-criticism-over-opaque-programming-and-artist-exclusion ### 2026-08-01: Moroccan cultural festivals conclude with record audiences Moroccan festivals in Nador, Tangier and Mohammedia ended in August with record crowds, featuring top artists, cultural programs and initiatives to preserve folk heritage. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccan-festivals-draw-tens-of-thousands-in-nador-and-casablanca ### 2026-07-18: Maroc Telecom launches 22nd Beach Festival with 60 free concerts across Tangier, Al Hoceima and Saidia Maroc Telecom’s 22nd Beach Festival runs 20 July‑21 Aug 2026 with about 60 free concerts in M'diq, Tangier, Al Hoceima and Saidia, showcasing diverse Moroccan and Arab music while promoting culture, tourism and 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maroc-telecom-launches-22nd-beach-festival-with-60-free-concerts-across-tangier-al-hoceima-and-saidi ### 2026-07-18: Morocco's Festival of Sacred Music Unveils 29th Edition and Highlights Rabat Concert Morocco's Festival de Fès announces its 29th edition focusing on Mâalemines, while Rabat will host a gnawa‑jazz concert featuring Hamid El Kasri and Karim Ziad on 18 July 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccos-festival-of-sacred-music-unveils-29th-edition-and-highlights-rabat-concert ### 2026-06-28: Essaouira Gnaoua Festival Concludes 27th Edition Essaouira’s Gnaoua Festival wrapped its 27th edition with headline shows by Maâlem Hamid El Kasri, a Brazil‑Morocco fusion, a youth human‑rights forum, and educational programs, highlighting its role as a cross 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/essaouira-wraps-up-27th-gnaoua-and-world-music-festival-with-vibrant-performances ### 2026-06-26: Essaouira's Gnaoua Festival opens 2026 with international performances The 27th Gnaoua Festival opened in Essaouira on 25 June, featuring 43 maâlems, about 460 Moroccan and international artists, a medina parade, and collaborations with Berklee and UNESCO heritage initiatives. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/essaouiras-gnaoua-festival-opens-2026-with-international-performances ### 2026-06-25: Morocco’s Essaouira Knaoua Festival opens 27th edition highlighting music as dialogue The 27th Knaoua Festival opened in Essaouira, Morocco, featuring 43 Gnawa masters and hundreds of international artists, with director Naïla Tazi emphasizing music as a bridge for cultural dialogue. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccos-essaouira-knaoua-festival-opens-27th-edition-highlighting-music-as-dialogue ### 2026-06-23: Essaouira Knaoua Festival Highlights Morocco’s Cultural Soft Power The 27th Essaouira Knaoua World Music Festival (June 25‑27) features 460 artists, blends Gnawa with global sounds, and adds academic forums on culture, rights and soft‑power, boosting tourism. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/essaouira-knaoua-festival-highlights-moroccos-cultural-soft-power ### 2026-06-22: Morocco's Mawazine 2026 features global acts and K‑pop group ITZY in Rabat Mawazine 2026 in Rabat and Salé showcases a diverse line‑up of international, Arab and African acts, highlighted by K‑pop group ITZY’s first performance in Morocco. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccos-mawazine-2026-features-global-acts-and-kpop-group-itzy-in-rabat ### 2026-06-12: Mawazine festival adds two concerts at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat Mawazine's 2026 edition will debut at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium with concerts on June 26 (Douzi & Cheb Khaled) and June 27 (Murad & El Grande Toto). 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mawazine-festival-adds-two-concerts-at-prince-moulay-abdellah-stadium-in-rabat ### 2026-06-02: Morocco's 2026 music festivals announce line‑ups Morocco’s Gnaoua Festival (June 25‑27, Essaouira) and Mawazine (June 21‑23, Salé & Chellah) reveal 2026 line‑ups, mixing local stars like Statia with international acts such as Carlinhos Brown and Susana Trav­a 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccos-2026-music-festivals-announce-lineups --- Cite as: Morocco 2026 music festivals. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/morocco-2026-music-festivals