During the month of July, a creative frenzy takes hold of Casablanca. Stages spring up overnight, and festival-goers arrive in droves. Year after year, for 8 days straight, the Casablanca Festival sets the rhythm of life for locals and countless tourists alike.

Casablanca, a cultural capital

While it remains the economic heart of the nation, Casablanca has also emerged as one of the country's cultural capitals—particularly during July, when the Casablanca Festival brings the city's streets to life.

Founded in 2005, the Casablanca Festival was conceived as an interdisciplinary celebration from the outset. After some initial experimentation, the festival now unfolds over 8 days in the height of July, bringing together every form of artistic expression.

The Casablanca Festival will captivate you with music—its beating heart—as well as dance. As you wander through the city, you may discover the modern dance competition, which the festival has organized since 2010.

But the Casablanca Festival is also a showcase for street performances that animate the city once darkness falls. A grand popular celebration under the patronage of Mohammed VI, the Casablanca Festival remains a richly diverse, completely free event open to all. In recent editions, it has attracted more than 2.5 million visitors.

While the festival's ambition is to be an event for everyone, it also offers a fresh perspective on discovering Casablanca itself.

Discovering Casablanca

The city welcomes visitors warmly in July, with beaches perfect for those seeking relaxation, while its many historical monuments will delight culture enthusiasts. The Casablanca Festival brings together tourists from around the world to celebrate art in all its forms alongside Moroccan locals.

The streets come alive with concerts that light up the beaches from 10:00 PM onwards. As you explore the city in search of street performances or while waiting for the next dance event, you'll be struck by the striking architecture of the 1920s and 1930s—an era when Casablanca resembled one vast construction site. Arab influence is unmistakably present, yet landmarks like the Palace of Justice remind visitors of the significant Spanish and Andalusian heritage.

Certain venues welcome you during the Casablanca Festival with music at every turn. The Cervantes Institute, for instance, hosts musicians performing for the youngest festival-goers, while the Sumica Passage invites you on a sonorous journey through the city's heart.

The Casablanca Festival draws massive crowds, and the streets overflow with energy. You'll notice that while the city center buzzes with diverse activities throughout the day, as night falls, concerts and performances shift to the city's periphery, ensuring no one is left out. The Casablanca Festival has fulfilled its mission: to be a festival truly for everyone.