The Gnaoua festival in Essaouira, officially the Gnaoua and World Music Festival, brings together the masters of Gnaoua music and artists from around the world every year, usually in late June. For three days the town moves to the rhythm of concerts, both in the open air and in small venues in the medina. Entry to the main stages is free.
The 27th edition was held from June 25 to 27, 2026. The festival announced 460 artists, Moroccan and international.
Origins and meaning of Gnaoua music
The Gnaoua (also spelled Gnawa) form a brotherhood whose music blends the sacred and the secular. According to UNESCO's listing, which added the tradition to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019, it arose among people affected by slavery and the slave trade. Its roots go back at least to the 16th century. Today it is part of Morocco's cultural identity.
Gnaoua music is first and foremost the music of a Sufi brotherhood. The lyrics, mostly religious, invoke ancestors and spirits. In towns, the Gnaoua hold all-night possession ceremonies built on rhythm and trance. UNESCO sees in it a blend of African, Arab-Muslim and Berber influences.
Three words will come in handy during the festival:
- maâlem: the master and leader of the troupe, who sings and leads the ceremony;
- guembri: a three-stringed lute that sets the tempo;
- qraqeb: large metal castanets that weave the rhythms.
The ritual ceremony is called the lila, “the night” in Arabic. It is usually held in a home, for initiates. The Routard guidebook points out that its purpose is to relieve psychological and emotional suffering.
What you will see at the Gnaoua festival in Essaouira
The festival is built on encounters. The maâlems play on their own, then with jazz, African music, reggae or rock musicians. Some of these “fusions” are created during artist residencies in Essaouira itself.
In 2026, for example, the lineup included Brazil's Carlinhos Brown, Cameroon's Richard Bona with Morocco's Asma Lmnawar, the Souss band Oudaden and Casablanca's Hoba Hoba Spirit, according to the festival's press release.
The concerts are split between two types of venue, according to the official festival website.
| Venue | What you see there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Moulay Hassan stage | Major concerts, between the beach and the medina | Free, pass for the reserved area |
| Beach stage | Headliners, funk, soul, hip-hop, reggae | Free, pass for the reserved area |
| Borj Bab Marrakech, Dar Souiri, Bayt Dakira | Intimate concerts, original productions and residencies | Separate ticket |
| Zaouïa Issaoua, Zaouïa Sidna Blal | Concerts close to the codes of the ritual | Separate ticket |
The festival describes the Sidna Blal zaouïa (Sufi lodge) as the spiritual cradle of the Gnaoua in Essaouira. Bayt Dakira recalls the town's Jewish and Muslim history.
Dates and venues
The festival takes place in Essaouira, on the Atlantic coast, every year at the end of June. The dates change from one edition to the next: June 27 to 29 in 2024, June 25 to 27 in 2026. The 2027 dates had not been announced as of mid-October 2026.
Our advice
Arrive the day before the first concert. You will have time to pick up a pass, scout the venues and book the intimate concerts, which have few seats.
Attending the Gnaoua festival in Essaouira
Tickets and passes
Entry to the main stages is free, as the festival's FAQ states. Paid passes, for one day or all three, give access to a reserved area in front of the stage. They do not include the intimate concerts, which require a separate ticket.
In 2024 these tickets were sold at the festival's official shop, 10 rue du Caire, in the medina, and at the entrance to each venue, depending on remaining seats. Prices are not listed on the information page: check the online ticketing before you go. Lost or stolen tickets are not refunded.
Accommodation and getting there
Essaouira fills up during the festival. Book your riad or hotel several weeks ahead. Depending on your nationality, you will enter Morocco visa-free or need to apply for a visa: check your case on our Morocco entry requirements page. With a French passport, a valid passport is enough, with no visa, for a stay of up to 90 days.
Respecting the Gnaoua
A lila is not a show. If you are invited to a ceremony, ask before taking photos or filming, and follow the maâlem's instructions.
Watch out
For safety reasons, the festival does not admit unaccompanied children under 12 in front of the stages or at the intimate concerts. In the crowd, keep your phone and papers in a closed pocket.
The country's other celebrations are gathered in our calendar of festivals in Morocco. For safety, health and money, see our Morocco page. Also check your own government's travel advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Gnaoua festival in Essaouira free?
Yes for the two main stages, Moulay Hassan and the beach. Paid passes only cover the reserved area in front of the stage. The intimate concerts, in the zaouïas and the houses of the medina, are ticketed.
When will the festival take place in 2027?
The dates had not been published as of mid-October 2026. The festival usually takes place in late June, over three days. Keep an eye on the official website in the spring.
Can you attend a real Gnaoua lila?
The festival schedules some concerts in venues linked to the ritual, such as the Sidna Blal zaouïa. A full lila remains a private, all-night ceremony. You can only attend by invitation.
