Public holidays & Moroccan Festivals

Schedule your holiday – get to know the Moroccan public holidays 2013. Useful information whether shops and banks are open on holidays in Morocco.


Below are the public holidays in Morocco. As Muslim festivals are timed according to the various phases of the moon, dates may possibly vary. Exact dates in the lunar calendar are almost impossible to predict – they are actually set by the Islamic authorities in Fes depending on when the new moon is sighted.

The longest and perhaps most important festival in Morocco is Ramadan. Muslims fast during the day and feast at night during this period. Tourists may find that some businesses and restaurants are closed during this time, until the end of Aïd al-Fitr. Aïd al-Fitr and Aïd al-Adha.

Public Holidays Morocco

• January 1st – New Year’s Day
• January 11th – Manifesto of Independence
• January 24th – Prophet’s birthday ( Aïd al-Mawlid)
• May 1st – Labour Day
• July 30th – Feast of the Throne
• Agust 9th – Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
• August 14th – Fête Oued Eddahab (Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day)
• August 20th – Anniversary of the King and the People’s Revolution
• November 6th – Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March)
• October 16th – Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
• November  5th – Muslim New Year
• November 18th – Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day)

During Ramadan, restaurants tend to open an hour after sundown so as to allow their staff and family to eat first. Alcohol is very difficult to come by during the Ramadan period. Bear in mind that the locals may be offended by tourists who eat and drink in public during daylight hours.

Holidays are best avoided if possible, as all banks, post offices and most shops close on the main holidays, as do many restaurants. Public transport can also be affected,

Moroccan Festival Dates

Once again, it is difficult to pinpoint exact dates, because the Islamic calendar differs from the Western calendar. The following festivals take place during the year, some of them are well worth travelling specifically to Morocco to see.

March

• Beni Mellal – Cotton harvest festival

May

• Berkane – Harvest festival of clementines
• El Kelia des Mgouna – Rose festival to celebrate the new crops
• Ben Aissa Moussem – a large festival to the saints, which includes amazing displays of fantasia , glass swallowing and other displays

June

• Music Festival – Held in Fez. Musicians from all around the world join in this festival
• Goulimine – traditionally a fair for camel traders
• Tan Tan – Guedra dance may be performed at this festival.
• Gnaoua Festival – Music Festival

July

• Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival – Traditional Moroccan folklore
• Tetouan – Moussem of Moulay Abdessalem which is celebrated very religiously in great splendor and ceremony.
• Sefrou – Festival of the cherry harvest
• Al Hoceima – festival of the sea harvest

August

• Asilah Arts Festival – Exposure for local artists
• El Jadida – Moussem of Moulay Abdallah. It features fantasias.
• Tiznit – Moussem of Sidi Ahmed ou Moussa. This is principally a religious festival.
• Immouzer du Kandar – a fete for the harvesting apples and pears.
• Immouzer des Ida Outanane – a honey festival which last about a week.

September

• Festival of the patron saint of Fez, which is a large religious festival
• Imilchil – a marriage festival in the Atlas mountains (see marriage customs) which also showcases traditional costumes and culture

October

• The Date Festival – Held in Erfoud

November

• Erfoud – a harvest festival

December

• Rafsae – olive harvest festival

Knowing when festivals and public holidays take place in Morocco can enhance a holiday and also make one aware of customs and the Moroccan culture.