Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival

مهرجان موسيقى الغناوة والموسيقى العالمية بالصويرة

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MusicEssaouira
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsWhat sets this festival apart is its
Language["ar"]Currency: MAD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira

The Gnaoua and World Music Festival takes place each June in Essaouira, Morocco, running since 1998 and founded by entrepreneur Neila Tazi through her Casablanca based company A3 Groupe. As the worlds largest festival dedicated to Gnawa music and culture, it draws roughly 500,000 attendees annually, with the 27th edition scheduled for June 25 to 27, 2026.

Gnawa music traces its roots back more than 300 years to West Africa, carried into Morocco by enslaved and free West African communities whose descendants preserved its ritual songs, hypnotic rhythms, and spiritual practices across generations.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets this festival apart is its singular focus on Gnawa music, a tradition originating in West Africa more than 300 years ago that took root in Morocco and that UNESCO recognized on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2019

02

The mystery stays covered

Rather than presenting Gnawa music in isolation, the festival specializes in cross genre fusion, pairing Gnawa maalems, master musicians whose hypnotic rhythms and call and response singing anchor the tradition, with jazz, blues, rock, and reggae musicians from around the world

03

The city starts moving

Held in the coastal city of Essaouira, the festival has grown since 1998 under founder Neila Tazi into the largest event of its kind anywhere, drawing crowds of roughly half a million while keeping Gnawa heritage at its core

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival centers on Gnawa ritual music traditions

Water and renewal

Living ritual

including the hypnotic rhythms and call and response singing of maalems

The sacred route

Living ritual

blended with genres like jazz and reggae

The local code

Living ritual

honoring a musical heritage recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Essaouira you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Casual, breathable summer clothing suits Essaouiras coastal climate and outdoor concert crowds; comfortable shoes help for walking the medinas narrow streets between stages.

Safety

At Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival runs late.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

["ar"] · MAD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map31.51 N, 9.77 WOpen in Google Maps

Essaouira, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco

Nearest airportAGA — Al Massira
TransportStay close enough to the part of Essaouira you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Essaouira via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Essaouira, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, breathable summer clothing suits Essaouiras coastal climate and outdoor concert crowds; comfortable shoes help for walking the medinas narrow streets between stages.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Morocco and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival?

Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival is listed for Past edition: 25–27 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Essaouira, Morocco. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Essaouira, Marrakech-Safi, Morocco

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLfestival-gnaoua.net
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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