What's on in Fes (Fez), Morocco through the year

Busy — Mid-year holiday in Morocco, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Ramadan

  19 Feb – 19 MarClosures

  The medina is the best argument for visiting during the fast: shut and silent by day, then completely alive from the sunset cannon until after midnight. Plan food around it. Source ↗

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Ramadan (19 Feb – 19 Mar)

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr

• Holiday

  Eid al-Fitr

  20–21 MarRamadan & EidClosures

  Two days when the souks close and the medina belongs to families in new clothes. Tanneries and workshops stop, so the working city that people come to see is not working. Source ↗

Still on: Ramadan (19 Feb – 19 Mar)

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Eid al-Fitr (20–21 Mar)

Peak crowds — Eid al-Adha, Fes Festival of World Sacred Music

• Holiday

  Eid al-Adha

  27–29 MayRamadan & EidClosuresBook early

  The city stops for two or three days: sheep on every roof terrace beforehand, then shut shops, no taxis and smoke over the medina. Trains and flights need booking a month out. Source ↗

• Festival

  Fes Festival of World Sacred Music

  15 May – 20 Jun · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  A week of concerts in the Bab Makina courtyard and the old palaces, usually falling between late May and mid-June. The dates are announced late and the riads sell out once they are. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, Summer holidays in Morocco

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Eid al-Adha (27–29 May), Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (15 May – 20 Jun (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Morocco, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  The inland summer

  1 Jul – 31 Aug · usuallyExtreme heat

  Fes sits in a bowl with no sea breeze, and the medina alleys hold the heat well into the night. Sightseeing works before ten and after six, and not much in between.

Busy — Summer holidays in Morocco, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: The inland summer (1 Jul – 31 Aug (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Morocco, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Busy — First interim break (October) in Morocco, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Festival of Sufi Culture

  17–24 OctMajor festival

  A week of sama sessions, lectures and late concerts in the middle of October, smaller and calmer than the sacred music festival and in far better walking weather. Source ↗

Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Nature

  Olive harvest and new oil

  1 Nov – 31 Dec · usually

  The presses in the hills around the city run from November, and the first oil of the year turns up in the medina at breakfast. Market stalls fill with cured olives at the same time.

Busy — Second interim break (December) in Morocco, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Olive harvest and new oil (1 Nov – 31 Dec (usually))