Mawazine Festival: Celebrating the World’s Rhythms in Morocco’s Heart

The Mwazine Festival was first established in 2001 by the Moroccan government, led by King Mohammed VI, with the goal of promoting the country’s cultural diversity and showcasing its openness to the world. The festival was created under the patronage of Mounir Majidi, the personal secretary of the king, and organized by the cultural association Maroc-Cultures. The name “Mawazine” means “rhythms of the world” in Arabic, reflecting the festival’s mission to bring together a wide array of musical genres and artists from across the globe.

Initially, the festival started as a modest event aimed at celebrating Moroccan music and heritage. However, it quickly grew in size and scope, attracting international artists and large audiences. Over the years, Mawazine has featured performances by globally renowned artists such as Elton John, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, and Stevie Wonder, alongside top Moroccan and Arab musicians. This unique blend of local and international music has made the festival one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the world.

The Mawazine Festival takes place annually in Rabat and Salé, typically in late May or early June. The festival’s 2024 edition is scheduled to run from May 24 to June 1. During these nine days, the cities come alive with music and cultural events spread across several stages, each dedicated to different musical genres and audiences. The festival venues include the OLM Souissi stage, the Nahda stage, and the Salé stage, among others, offering a variety of musical experiences.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best season/time to play golf in Morocco?

The golf season runs from late September to June when the temperatures and courses are ideal. Although the courses are still open, July and August can be very, very hot (over 40 degrees) especially in Marrakech, which is known to be one of the most popular cities for golfers in Morocco.

Which language does Moroccans speak?

Visiting a country, is also learning a new language.

Morocco has two official languages, Arabic and Amazigh. French is also spoken and understood by almost all Moroccans.

Spanish is widely spoken in the northern and southern regions of Morocco.

English is spoken by most Moroccans, hotels` staff, at restaurants etc.

Which currency is used in Morocco?

The official currency unit of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (DH) which is abbreviate (MAD).

Banknotes: you will find tickets from 20-50-100-200 DH

Coins: The coins in use are 0.50-1-2-5 and 10 DH and 1-5-10-20 centimes.

We recommend travelling with some cash, and at least two different major credit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard, so you have backup if your card is not accepted or lost. Contact your bank and credit card companies to let them know where and when you’ll be travelling, as well as confirm any foreign transaction fees.

When is the best time to travel to Morocco?

The best time to visit Morocco is either in the spring from March to May or in fall between September to October. Other months can also be pleasant if you prefer it very hot and sunny, or don’t mind the cold.

Which power plugs and sockets are in Morocco?

In Morocco the power plugs and sockets are of type C and E. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

Type C: also known as the standard “Euro” plug. This socket also works with plug E and plug F.

Type E: this type is of French origin. This socket also works with plug C and with plug F if it has an additional pinhole.

Is my passport still valid if I have less than 6 months’ validity?

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six (6) months after your journey ends, and should have enough blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps from each country you visit.

Where can I go shopping while in Morocco?

If you are interested in shopping, your Exclusive Voyages Assistant may recommend local shops; however, we are not responsible for the quality or value of merchandise. Any purchases and shipping are at your sole discretion.

Be sure to review your credit card receipts before signing, paying special attention to currency conversion. We recommend taking items with you in lieu of shipping them whenever possible.

Consult the local customs authority (cbp.gov in the U.S. and travel.gc.ca in Canada) for information on what you can bring back and duty taxes. Keep receipts and items together.