The 21st edition of the Mawazine Rhythms of the World Festival drew 3.6 million visitors to Rabat and Salé between June 19 and 27, organizers said.
Held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, the 2026 edition featured artists from Morocco, the Arab world, Africa and the international music scene, with most concerts remaining free to the public.
The festival expanded its network of venues this year with the addition of the Royal Theatre of Rabat and Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Organizers said the new sites allowed Mawazine to stage larger productions and broaden its programme across Rabat and Salé.
The edition also coincided with the FIFA World Cup, with two Morocco matches scheduled on concert nights. Mawazine partnered with beIN Sports to screen the games at festival venues, turning the sites into temporary fan zones.
The 2025 edition attracted more than 3.75 million festivalgoers, meaning attendance declined by about 4% this year while remaining among the highest recorded by the festival.
Concert schedules were adjusted to allow visitors to watch the Atlas Lions before continuing with the evening programme.
The lineup included South Korean group ITZY, Nigerian singer Rema, Dutch DJ Tiësto and French rapper Ninho, alongside veteran performers Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Bridgewater.
The Morocco Cultures Association said the inclusion of the Royal Theatre and Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium marked a new stage in the festival’s expansion and could support the development of a broader economic model around major cultural events.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.