Mawazine 2026 runs from 19 to 27 June in Rabat, Morocco — the 21st edition of the world’s biggest music festival by attendance. With 3.75 million festivalgoers in 2025, it dwarfs Glastonbury and every other festival on the planet. Around 90% of concerts are completely free across 6 stages. The 2026 lineup pairs Tyla, Tiësto and Major Lazer on the paid OLM Souissi stage with Oumou Sangaré and Diamond Platnumz on the free Bouregreg stage. Book flights and accommodation 2–3 months ahead — Rabat sells out by mid-April.
Nine days. Six stages. Thirty-six countries represented. And 90% of concerts open to everyone, free of charge. Mawazine — Rhythms of the World isn’t just another festival: it’s the most-attended music event on the planet, held annually in Rabat since 2001 under the Patronage of King Mohammed VI. For the 21st edition — 19 to 27 June 2026 — Morocco’s capital adds a remarkable extra layer to its cultural credentials: it’s also the UNESCO World Book Capital this year, and National Geographic has named it among the top 25 destinations in the world for 2026. Flying from London takes under 3 hours — and most of the music is free.
What makes Mawazine the world’s most unique festival
The world’s biggest festival — and it’s almost entirely free
According to Music Festival Wizard, Mawazine is in a league of its own: Glastonbury (210,000 over 5 days), Leeds Festival and even Coachella (250,000 across two weekends) are dwarfed by the 3.75 million recorded at Mawazine in 2025. That figure, reported by La Vie Éco, is the all-time attendance record for any music festival. The reason for these staggering numbers? Radical free entry. Of the 6 to 7 stages, only OLM Souissi (from 1,200 MAD / ~£95), Chellah (from 250 MAD / ~£20) and Théâtre Mohammed V charge admission. The Bouregreg, Salé and Nahda stages are completely free.
The 2025 edition set a single-stage record too: Moroccan rapper ElGrandeToto drew 400,000 fans to OLM Souissi on 28 June 2025 — becoming the first Moroccan artist to headline that international stage solo, according to La Vie Éco.
Highlights
- World attendance record: 3.75 million festivalgoers in 2025 — Glastonbury and Coachella don’t come close
- Around 90% of concerts are completely free — no ticket needed for the Bouregreg and Salé stages
- Chellah: intimate concerts inside Roman and medieval ruins — an experience no other festival on earth can offer
- 200+ artists spanning global pop, afrobeats, jazz, chaabi, K-pop and world music
2026 programme: what to expect stage by stage
OLM Souissi — the main international stage (paid)
With a capacity of 100,000+, OLM Souissi hosts the global headliners. According to the confirmed programme reported by Morocco Beat, the 2026 lineup is particularly strong:
| Date | Artist | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| 19 June | Ninho | French rap — official opening |
| 20 June | Major Lazer | Electronic / dancehall (USA) |
| 21 June | Tyla | Afropop — South Africa |
| 22 June | Nicky Jam | Reggaeton — Puerto Rico |
| 23 June | ITZY | K-pop — South Korea, first time in Morocco |
| 24 June | Rema | Afrobeats — Nigeria |
| 25 June | Tiësto | EDM — Netherlands |
| 26 June | Ty Dolla Sign + Tyga | Rap / R&B — USA |
Worth noting: ITZY on 23 June (confirmed by AllKPOP and Yalla KPOP) marks the first K-pop act on the OLM Souissi main stage in 2026 — continuing the festival’s growing international reach after aespa appeared in 2025.
Bouregreg — Africa under the open sky (free)
On the riverbank, the Bouregreg stage offers the most impressive free African lineup of the entire festival. FME Booking confirms headline acts: Oumou Sangaré (Mali, 26 June), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania, 27 June), Orchestra Baobab (Senegal, 50 years, 24 June), Stonebwoy (Ghana, 20 June) and Sampa the Great (Zambia, 25 June). This is the unmissable stage for world music fans.
Théâtre Mohammed V — Jazz and soul (paid)
A seated venue with intimate concerts: Macy Gray (20 June), Imany (22 June, confirmed by Le Brief.ma), Dee Dee Bridgewater (26 June) and Dionne Warwick (27 June).
Chellah — World music among Roman ruins (paid, from 250 MAD / ~£20)
The Chellah archaeological site — a UNESCO World Heritage landmark — hosts the festival’s most intimate concerts from 20 to 27 June. Kora, fado, Indian raga, Andalusian music: a world music programme in a truly unique setting. TripAdvisor visitors describe it as « magical ». Capacity is limited — tickets go quickly.
Salé — Moroccan musical heritage (free)
Across the Bouregreg river, the Salé stage is entirely dedicated to Moroccan music: chaabi, aita, Amazigh music and Moroccan rap. The 2026 line-up includes Abdelaziz Stati (25 June), Fatima Tabaamrant (Amazigh music, 24 June) and 7ARI (22 June), according to Telquel.
Highlights
- OLM Souissi: the best international selection in North Africa across 9 nights — a main stage to rival any European festival
- Bouregreg and Salé: completely free entry, authentic popular atmosphere
- ITZY on 23 June: the first K-pop act on OLM Souissi in 2026 — a historic moment for MENA
- Chellah: the only festival in the world where you can watch fado performed inside illuminated Roman ruins
Getting to Rabat for Mawazine: the practical guide
Flights, accommodation and budget essentials
Getting to Rabat
Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA) is 10 km from the city centre. Direct flights from the UK are operated by Ryanair (from £22 one way according to Skyscanner), with Royal Air Maroc also flying direct from London Heathrow. The flight takes under 3 hours. During the festival period, expect to pay £80–£180 return depending on how far ahead you book — prices rise sharply 6–8 weeks before the festival. Another option: fly to Casablanca, then take the ONCF train to Rabat (1h15, 50–100 MAD), useful if direct flights are sold out. Find the best fares via cheap flights to Morocco.
Getting between stages
The Rabat-Salé tram (6 MAD per ticket, roughly £0.45) serves the main festival stages and is the cheapest option according to tram-way.ma. Small blue taxis cost 20–40 MAD for a short trip. Ride-hailing apps InDrive and Careem are also available. Rabat’s historic centre is compact and walkable — the Kasbah, Tour Hassan and Bouregreg stage are all within 15–20 minutes on foot from most medina accommodation.
Accommodation
Book 2–3 months in advance — 4- and 5-star hotels sell out by April according to Story Le Carrousel Rabat. Options by budget:
| Type | Area | Price / night (festival period) |
|---|---|---|
| Riad / medina guesthouse | Medina | 300–500 MAD (£28–£46) |
| Mid-range hotel | Agdal, Hassan | 700–1,500 MAD (£65–£140) |
| 4–5-star hotel | Souissi, Marina | 1,500–4,000+ MAD (£140–£375) |
Hotels near the stages: STORY Le Carrousel (luxury, opposite OLM Souissi), Hotel des Oudaias (5 min from the Bouregreg stage), Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses, Fairmont La Marina.
Total budget for 4 days at Mawazine
With 90% of concerts free, Mawazine is one of the most affordable major festivals in the world. Estimated budget for 4 days from London: return flights (£80–£180) + accommodation (£110–£330) + concert tickets (£0 to 2 paid shows depending on preference) + local food and transport (300–800 MAD). The exchange rate in June 2026 is approximately £1 = 14.5 MAD.
Entry requirements for UK travellers
British passport holders do not need a visa for Morocco for stays under 90 days. Morocco does not accept national ID cards — a valid passport is mandatory. Check your passport expiry before booking, as confirmed by the UK Government’s official travel advice for Morocco. Ramadan ends in March 2026, so there’s no impact on the June festival.
Highlights
- Direct flights from the UK from just £22 one way with Ryanair — book now, prices jump 6 weeks before the festival
- Tram at 6 MAD between stages — no car needed during the festival
- Medina riads: best value for money, 15 min walk from the Bouregreg stage
- Perfect June weather: 20–26°C by day, 16–20°C at night, essentially no rain
Rabat beyond the festival: a UNESCO city in full renaissance
UNESCO World Book Capital 2026 and National Geographic Top 25
According to National Geographic, Rabat is one of the 25 best destinations in the world for 2026. This year the city holds two exceptional distinctions at once: its designation as UNESCO World Book Capital (342 cultural events since April 2026) and hosting Mawazine. Rabat has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012.
Worth exploring around the festival: the Kasbah of the Udayas (12th-century Atlantic fortress with Andalusian gardens), the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V (symbols of the capital), the Chellah (Phoenician, Roman and medieval site — which also hosts Mawazine concerts), the Rabat Medina (far less touristy than Marrakech — perfect for wandering the Rue des Consuls), and the Grand Theatre of Rabat designed by Zaha Hadid (2021), a masterpiece of African contemporary architecture. For more, see our Morocco travel guide.
Highlights
- Rabat UNESCO World Book Capital 2026: 342 cultural events year-round, including several during Mawazine
- Chellah: unique archaeological site — Mawazine concerts in Roman ruins at night, UNESCO-listed site by day
- Medina far less crowded than Marrakech: the authentic Moroccan experience without the peak-season tourist rush
- Perfect base for day trips: Casablanca (1hr by train), Fès (3hrs), Meknès (2hrs), Marrakech (4.5hrs)
Practical essentials for your Mawazine 2026 trip
Compare Ryanair, Royal Air Maroc and other carriers. From £22 one way. Prices typically rise 6–8 weeks before the festival — book early.
From £22 one wayStay connected during Mawazine without roaming charges. Activate your eSIM before leaving the UK. Compatible with recent iPhones and Android devices.
From £4 for 1GBNomad Insurance: global coverage from $56/4 weeks. Late-night concerts and summer heat make it worth being covered. 10% off via our link.
From $56 / 4 weeksFrequently asked questions about Mawazine 2026
Is Mawazine 2026 really free?
Around 90% of concerts at Mawazine 2026 are completely free. The Bouregreg stage (African music) and Salé stage (Moroccan heritage) require no ticket at all. Only OLM Souissi (from 1,200 MAD / ~£95), Chellah (from 250 MAD / ~£20) and Théâtre Mohammed V are paid venues. According to the official box office, a Gold pass giving access to all OLM Souissi evenings is available from 4,500 MAD (~£355).
What are the exact dates of Mawazine 2026?
The 21st edition of Mawazine — Rhythms of the World runs from 19 to 27 June 2026 — nine consecutive days. The festival opens on Thursday 19 June with Ninho at OLM Souissi and closes on Saturday 27 June with Dionne Warwick and Tamer Hosny. According to La Vie Éco and the official mawazine.ma website, these dates are confirmed.
Do UK travellers need a visa for Morocco?
No visa is required for British passport holders visiting Morocco for stays under 90 days. However, Morocco does not accept national ID cards — a valid passport is mandatory. Check your passport’s expiry date before booking your flights. For the latest entry requirements, see the UK Government’s official travel advice for Morocco.
Is Mawazine really the biggest music festival in the world?
By attendance, yes — and by a considerable margin. At its 20th edition in 2025, Mawazine welcomed 3.75 million festivalgoers over 9 days, an all-time world record according to La Vie Éco. To put that in perspective: Glastonbury hosts around 210,000 over 5 days, Leeds Festival around 75,000, Coachella roughly 250,000 across two weekends, and Vienna’s Donauinselfest — second in the world — around 3.3 million. Free admission to 90% of concerts explains these extraordinary numbers.
How do you get between the stages during Mawazine?
The Rabat-Salé tram (6 MAD per ticket, around £0.45) serves the main festival stages and is the cheapest and fastest option according to tram-way.ma. Small blue taxis cost 20–40 MAD for short trips. Rabat’s city centre is compact: the Kasbah, Bouregreg and Théâtre Mohammed V are all walkable from the medina. Download the official Mawazine app to track schedules in real time — concerts often overlap.
Has Mawazine had any safety incidents?
In 2009, a crowd crush during a concert at the Nahda stadium caused 11 deaths and around 30 injuries, leading to a complete overhaul of safety protocols according to Europe 1. In 2025, access problems were reported — valid ticketholders were turned away during the busiest evenings. For 2026, arrive at least 1 hour before concerts at OLM Souissi and follow staff instructions during peak crowds.
Sources
- mawazine.ma — Official Mawazine 2026 programme
- La Vie Éco — Confirmation of 21st edition dates
- La Vie Éco — 2025 attendance: 3.75 million festivalgoers
- Morocco Beat — 2026 artist lineup
- FME Booking — Jazz/soul/world music lineup announcement
- Yalla KPOP — ITZY confirmed at OLM Souissi 2026
- Music Festival Wizard — World attendance ranking
- Telquel — Salé stage programme 2026
- Le Brief.ma — Imany at Théâtre Mohammed V
- tram-way.ma — Rabat-Salé tram (fares and lines)
- National Geographic — Rabat top 25 destinations 2026
- UNESCO — Rabat World Book Capital 2026
- UK Government (gov.uk) — Official travel advice for Morocco
- Skyscanner — London to Rabat flight prices
- Story Le Carrousel Rabat — Festival 2026 accommodation guide
Research conducted on 6 June 2026. Verify pricing information on mawazine.ma before travelling.
Ready to experience Mawazine 2026?
Start by booking your London-to-Rabat flight — prices rise fast during the festival period. Then explore Rabat with a certified local guide to make the most of your days between concerts.
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