Fes Festival of World Sacred Music: Dates, Venues and Tips

What the festival is

For three decades, Fez has invited musicians from many faiths and traditions to play in the city’s gardens, gates and palaces. Sufi brotherhoods, Andalusian orchestras, gospel choirs, Indian and Persian masters and West African griots have all shared the same stages. The idea goes back to al Andalus, when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived and created side by side.

Recent editions

Year	Edition and theme
2024	27th edition, “Architecture and the Sacred”, with Spain as guest of honour
2026	29th edition, 4 to 7 June, “Fes and the Maalems, guardians of craft and heritage”

Dates and programs are announced in spring, often only weeks ahead. Check the official festival site before you book flights.

Where the concerts happen

• Bab al Makina, the great parade ground beside the Royal Palace, for the large evening concerts.
• The Jnan Sbil garden for afternoon music in the shade.
• Batha Museum gardens and historic houses in the medina for smaller concerts.
• Sufi nights in riads and zawiyas, often free and late.

Founding and the idea behind it

The festival began in 1994, after the first Gulf War, as an answer to talk of a clash of civilisations. Its founder, the Fassi anthropologist Faouzi Skali, wanted Fez to show that spiritual music could bring people of different faiths together. In 2001 the United Nations recognised it among the events that contribute to dialogue between civilisations, and it has since inspired sacred music festivals around the world.

A changing calendar

The festival does not keep fixed dates. The 28th edition, under the theme Renaissances, ran from 16 to 24 May 2025, and the 29th edition was a shorter one in June 2026. For the next edition, expect late May or June, and watch for the official announcement in spring.

Beyond the festival: the spiritual music of Fez all year

• Sufi brotherhoods such as the Aissawa and the Hamdouchia perform at weddings and religious feasts.
• Andalusian music, al ala, is still taught in the city conservatory and played at family celebrations.
• Malhoun, sung poetry in Moroccan Arabic, has deep roots in Fez and Meknes.
• During Ramadan and the Mawlid, the medina is full of chanting in the zawiyas.

If you visit outside the festival, I can arrange an evening of Andalusian or Sufi music in a riad.

Tips for visiting

• Book your riad early. Fez fills up during the festival.
• Buy tickets for the main concerts as soon as they go on sale.
• Bring a light layer. June evenings in Fez can be cool after hot days.
• Combine the festival with Sefrou, Bhalil and the Middle Atlas, all within an hour.

The Sefrou Cherry Festival usually falls in the same month. See also how many days in Fez.