MOGA Festival is set to make a vibrant return to its Moroccan roots this October, promising five days where music, culture and community intertwine against the evocative backdrop of Essaouira. The sixth edition, running from 1st to 5th of October, will open with two days of the OFF program in the city’s historic center, inviting festival-goers to explore Essaouira’s labyrinthine streets, local artistry and the pulse of its Atlantic breeze. The celebration then shifts to the Hôtel le Golf d’Essaouira & Spa, where three days of IN programming transform the venue into a sprawling playground for electronic music lovers.
This year’s first wave of artists reads like a love letter to the global underground, with Apollonia, Arapu, Bonobo (DJ Set), Bedouin, DJ Tennis, Folamour, Janeret, Patrick Mason and Saoirse among the names set to soundtrack the experience. MOGA’s reputation as a boutique festival is built on its ability to curate not just music, but atmosphere – think sun-drenched afternoons, balmy nights and the ever-present hum of discovery in the heart of the “wind city.” The festival’s sonic palette is as eclectic as its crowd, blending international and local talent in a way that feels both organic and celebratory of Essaouira’s unique spirit.
The Hôtel le Golf d’Essaouira & Spa becomes the festival’s beating heart, with music pulsing from 14:00 until 03:00 across four distinct stages: Main, Garden, Wild and Terrace. Over 70 artists from around the world will bring their sounds to life, while attendees find moments of respite in two sparkling swimming pools or wander through a lush palm grove between sets. The sensory experience extends far beyond the dancefloor, as MOGA draws inspiration from its sister edition in Caparica, Portugal, to offer a tapestry of wellness sessions, creative workshops, art installations, panels and local culinary delights – all designed to deepen the festival’s connection with its community and surroundings.
With 16,000 attendees expected and a strong international presence, MOGA reinforces its status as an unmissable destination for those seeking more than just a party. It’s a gathering of like-minded souls, a celebration of cultural fusion where music is only the beginning. MOGA remains, as ever, not just a festival, but a lifestyle, a tribe, and a testament to the power of shared experience on Morocco’s windswept Atlantic coast.
