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Meknes’s event calendar blends Islamic religious festivals with a genuinely international film festival, plus one of Morocco’s biggest regional pilgrimages at nearby Moulay Idriss. Most dates follow the lunar Islamic calendar, so they shift back by about 11 days each year. For weather during these windows, check Meknes weather by month.
Meknes Events and Festivals: Religious Holidays
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan is a month of daytime fasting; many cafes and restaurants close until sunset, then the squares fill after the fast breaks at dusk. Eid al-Fitr marks its end with three days of family gatherings and feasting. Dates move through the calendar, so confirm the year before booking, and expect reduced opening hours at museums and the things to do in Meknes sights.
Eid al-Adha
The Feast of Sacrifice, about 70 days after Ramadan, brings Morocco to a near-standstill as families sacrifice sheep and gather for large meals. Public transport thins out and many shops close for two to three days. It is a fascinating time but not a practical one for sightseeing.
Fête du Trône (July 30)
Morocco’s national day marks the monarch’s accession with parades, fireworks and concerts across the country. In Meknes the celebrations centre on El Hedim Square and the main avenues. It is a public holiday, so banks and some offices close, but markets and restaurants stay open.
Meknes Events and Festivals: Cultural and Seasonal
Moussem of Moulay Idriss (early September)
One of Morocco’s largest moussems honours Moulay Idriss I with processions, tents, music and horse shows at the town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, 35 km north of Meknes. The date follows the Islamic calendar, but it generally lands in September. Book where to stay in Meknes well ahead, since the town and nearby Meknes both fill up.
Meknes International Animated Film Festival (FICAM)
Held each spring, usually in March or April, FICAM screens hundreds of animated films and runs workshops across Meknes venues. Most screenings are open to the public and many are free, with some shown in French or Arabic. It draws students and animators, and it pairs well with a best time to visit Meknes spring visit when the weather is mild.
Independence and Green March Days (November)
November 6 (Green March) and November 18 (Independence Day) are national holidays with flag-raising and street celebrations. They rarely disrupt tourists beyond closed banks, but they are a good window to see civic Meknes at its most active, especially around the Meknes neighborhoods of the ville nouvelle.
Meknes Events and Festivals: Planning Your Trip
For the practical side of getting to these events, read Meknes travel tips, and the complete Meknes guide ties the whole city together with links to every guide in this cluster.
