National Festival of Popular Arts (55th Edition)
Date
2–6 July 2026
Location
El Badi Palace, Jemaa el-Fnaa & Medersa Ben Youssef
El Badi Palace, Marrakech 40000
Category
Festival
Pricing
Jemaa el-Fnaa concerts free · Medersa Ben Youssef evenings 100–150 MAD · El Badi / Nuit des Stars 200 MAD.
Organizer
Association Le Grand Atlas / FNAP
Schedule
Thu–Mon 2–6 July 2026. Opening parade 2 July 19:00; Jemaa el-Fnaa concerts 20:30; El Badi spectacle 21:00 nightly.
About this event
The National Festival of Popular Arts (Festival National des Arts Populaires) is the oldest festival in Morocco, created in 1959 on the initiative of King Mohammed V after independence. The 2026 edition — the 55th — runs across five evenings in the heart of the Marrakesh medina under the theme “Les Arts Populaires, Trésors d’hier et d’aujourd’hui” (Popular arts: treasures of yesterday and today).
Roughly 65 folk troupes from the twelve regions of the Kingdom parade and perform, carrying traditions that range from Ahidous and Gnaoua rhythms to Daqqa Marrakchia, Reggada and Taskiwin — plus invited troupes from China and across Africa. The opening parade on 2 July winds from the Hôtel de Ville along Avenue Mohammed V down to Jemaa el-Fna and El Badi Palace.
Programme highlights
- El Badi Palace — the main nightly spectacle at 21:00, culminating in the closing “Nuit des Stars” on 6 July honouring Zina Daoudia
- Jemaa el-Fnaa — free evening concerts from 20:30 (Orchestre Abdou El Ghali, Hind Ennaira)
- Medersa Ben Youssef — themed evenings: Morocco–China (3 July), Morocco–Africa with Nabyla Maan (4 July)
- Opening parade through the medina on 2 July at 19:00
Founded to preserve and transmit Morocco’s oral and popular heritage, region by region, the festival turns the medina into a living museum each July.
Highlights
Gallery
Nightly spectacle at El Badi Palace
Traditional ritual dance
Troupes in the opening parade
Tips & practical info
The opening parade on 2 July (19:00) is free and unmissable — stake out a spot along Avenue Mohammed V early.
Jemaa el-Fnaa concerts are the cheapest entry point; El Badi VIP / Nuit des Stars is the premium ticket.
Evening performances are the most atmospheric — El Badi’s main spectacle starts at 21:00.
The medina is best reached on foot or by petit taxi; arrive early as streets close for the parade.
Confirm exact nightly line-ups on fnap.ma before travelling.
Official links & sources
Verify dates, times and buy tickets through these official sources:
