Mawazine Festival

Mawazine began in 2001 and grew into one of the largest festivals anywhere by attendance, with figures reported in the millions across its run - the number is a cumulative headcount across many free stages rather than ticket sales, which is worth understanding before comparing it with anything else. It programmes international headliners of the stadium sort alongside a very substantial Arab and African bill, with stages in Rabat and Sale devoted to Moroccan, Amazigh, Sahrawi, Egyptian, Gulf and West African music, and most of them are free to enter, which is the point of the model and why the crowds are what they are. It has drawn domestic criticism over cost and over the fees paid to foreign acts, and has been paused in some years. Dates move and the line-up is announced a few weeks ahead.

What you actually see

• Mostly free stages - the reason attendance figures run into the millions.
• A large Arab and African bill - alongside the international stadium headliners.
• Stages across two cities - Rabat and Sale, with tram and shuttle links.
• A contested budget - domestic argument over cost and foreign artist fees.

When to go

June or July; dates and line-up are announced a few weeks ahead. Several days.

Honest expectations

Free stages are extremely crowded and crowd incidents have occurred - go early and stay near the edges. The festival has been paused in some years. Accommodation prices rise sharply. Line-ups are announced late.

Nearby

The Rabat medina and Hassan Tower are central to the festival stages.