Rabat’s event calendar is anchored by Mawazine, one of the largest music festivals in the world. Beyond that, the city hosts jazz, film, and traditional cultural events spread throughout the year. best time to visit weather by month in Rabat Most major events are free or low-cost, reflecting Morocco’s cultural policy of broad public access.
Rabat Events and Festivals: Mawazine
Mawazine Rhythms of the World runs for 9 days in late May to early June. It attracts over 2 million attendees across multiple stages throughout Rabat and neighboring Salé. International headliners have included Stevie Wonder, Rihanna, Elton John, and Whitney Houston in past editions alongside major Arabic and African artists. The main stages are at OLM Souissi (international headliners, ticketed) and the Boulevard Mohammed V stage (free). Satellite stages in the medina, Chellah ruins, and Salé feature regional and world music acts, all free. Tickets for the OLM stage go on sale about a month before the festival at 150 to 500 MAD (15 to 50 EUR). Rabat neighborhoods things to do in Rabat Book accommodation months ahead as hotels in Rabat and even Casablanca fill up.
Rabat Events and Festivals: Jazz au Chellah
Jazz au Chellah takes place over four days in mid-September, using the Chellah necropolis as its venue. The festival brings primarily European jazz musicians to perform in the Roman and Merinid ruins. The setting is remarkable: music echoing off 2,000-year-old stone walls with storks circling overhead. Entry is free but capacity is limited so arrive 45 minutes before the 20:00 start. travel tips for Rabat accommodation in Rabat The 2025 edition ran September 18 to 21.
Rabat Events and Festivals: International Film Festival
The Rabat International Film Festival (Festival International du Film de Rabat) runs for one week in November at the Renaissance Cinema and Mohammed V Theatre. The program focuses on African and Arab cinema with French and European selections. Screenings are in original language with French subtitles. Most screenings cost 30 MAD.
Rabat Events and Festivals: Religious and Traditional
Ramadan shifts annually by about 11 days. In 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin around February 17 and end around March 19. During Ramadan, most cafes and restaurants close during daylight hours and open after iftar (sunset meal, roughly 18:30). Alcohol sales are suspended everywhere during the month. Tourist-oriented restaurants in hotels and the Agdal neighborhood may serve lunch to non-Muslims discretely but don’t count on it. The evening atmosphere after iftar is lively with families out late.
Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (approximately 70 days later) are major public holidays. Most businesses close for two to three days. The Moussem of Sidi Ben Achir, a traditional pilgrimage festival in neighboring Salé, takes place annually in the summer with parades and Sufi music performances. Dates are announced about two weeks in advance.
