Maalems — Gnaoua master musicians — play open stages across Essaouira, alongside jazz and world-music guests who improvise with them. It is free, it is outdoors, and the medina stays awake until dawn. Accommodation in Essaouira sells out months ahead, so a day trip from Marrakech is often the more realistic way to see it.
Dates not yet confirmed
The organisers announce each edition a few months ahead and have not yet published 2027 dates. The festival has been held in late June for years — the 27th edition ran 25–27 June 2026.
Book around 40 weeks ahead — accommodation near these events fills early.
Why this date is worth it
- Maalems — Gnaoua master musicians — on open stages across the medina
- Free and outdoors: no ticket, no venue, the whole town is the festival
- Jazz and world-music guests improvising with Gnaoua groups on the same stage
- Essaouira closed to cars, so the walled town is walkable end to end
- The medina stays awake until dawn
What to know before you plan around it
- Essaouira accommodation sells out months ahead — a day trip from Marrakech is often the only realistic way in.
- Crowds are heavy and the medina is loud all night; light sleepers should not stay inside the walls.
- The 2027 dates are not published yet. We hold the late-June window the festival has used for years and confirm as soon as the organisers announce.
