Marrakech Festivals & Events Calendar
A few recurring events shape the city's calendar each year — worth knowing whether you want to time a visit around one, or avoid the busiest dates.
Marrakech International Film Festival
Typically held in late autumn, this festival draws international film industry figures and cinephiles to the city, with red-carpet events and public screenings. Hotel prices in central areas can rise noticeably during the festival — worth checking exact dates for the year you're travelling if avoiding crowds and higher prices matters to you.
Ramadan
Not a festival in the celebratory sense, but the single biggest recurring shift in the city's daily rhythm — see our full Ramadan guide for what changes and how to plan around it. Dates shift earlier by about 10–11 days each year on the Gregorian calendar.
Eid al-Fitr & Eid al-Adha
The two major Islamic holidays marking the end of Ramadan and the traditional pilgrimage season respectively. Both are family-focused occasions in Morocco — some businesses close or reduce hours for a day or two, and domestic travel increases, which can affect bus and train availability.
Marrakech Marathon
Usually held in early spring, drawing runners from around the world alongside a local 10km and family fun run. Road closures affect parts of the city on race day — worth checking the exact route and date if you're travelling then.
Local moussems (regional festivals)
Various smaller regional festivals (moussems) take place throughout the year across Morocco, often tied to a local saint's day or agricultural season, and some are within day-trip distance of Marrakech. These are less internationally publicised than the events above but can be a genuinely interesting, less touristic experience if your dates happen to align.
Planning tip: exact dates for Ramadan, the two Eid holidays, and several festivals shift year to year, so always confirm current dates for your specific travel window rather than relying on a previous year's calendar — a quick search close to your trip is the most reliable approach.
How this affects booking
Beyond Ramadan's effect on daytime dining, the main practical impact of these events is on accommodation pricing and availability — see our where to stay guide for general booking timing, and book earlier than usual if your dates overlap with the film festival or a major holiday.