The Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira has announced its dates for the 2026 edition. The festival is scheduled to take place from June 26 to June 29, 2026.
Founded in 1998, the festival is a major cultural event that celebrates Gnaoua music, a spiritual tradition with roots in sub-Saharan Africa, by fusing it with diverse global music genres like jazz, blues, and pop. It traditionally transforms the historic medina of Essaouira into a vibrant stage for hundreds of musicians.
While the full artist lineup for 2026 is not yet published, the festival typically features a mix of renowned Gnaoua maΓ’lems (masters) and international stars from across the world. Past editions have hosted artists like Marcus Miller, Hindi Zahra, and Salif Keita.
The event is a significant driver for tourism and cultural exchange in Morocco, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. It is recognized for its role in preserving and promoting Gnaoua culture as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
