MOGA’s electronic beats come to Essaouira this October with a global lineup and deep Moroccan roots.
Fez– After pulling off a record-breaking edition in Portugal this May, with over 25,000 people dancing on the shores of Costa da Caparica, the MOGA Festival is coming back home.
From October 1 to 5, 2025, the iconic coastal city of Essaouira will once again host this electronic and cultural celebration, now gearing up for its fifth Moroccan edition.
And if the first artist announcements are anything to go by, it’s going to be a wild one.
Names like Folamour, Bonobo, DJ Tennis, Patrick Mason, and Apollonia are already confirmed, bringing a rich blend of global sounds to the windy city that started it all.
MOGA’s Atlantic bridge: Portugal meets Morocco
The recent Portuguese edition of the festival wasn’t just about big numbers, it was about deep connections.
Morocco was in the spotlight, with everything from set designs by Tartar Color on the Hafla Stage to performances by Moroccan artists like Reload, Monile, Lilya Mandre, and Saad Tiouly.
Moroccan creativity also took the stage with workshops by the all-women collective Sound Sisters and a special open-air cinema program in partnership with the Marrakech Short Film Festival.
Even the crowd reflected this cross-cultural energy. Around 500 Moroccan festivalgoers made the trip across the water, a clear sign of the deep-rooted bond between the MOGA tribe and its Moroccan identity.
Essaouira is more than just a host city for MOGA, it’s part of its DNA. This year, the festival will spread across two distinct experiences:
MOGA OFF (Oct 1–2): Free and open to all, this program includes DJ sets, workshops, surfing, yoga, open-air cinema, and cultural pop-ups in iconic spots around the medina.
MOGA IN (Oct 3–5): The ticketed part of the festival takes over Le Golf d’Essaouira & Spa, where five different stages will be set up across a lush palm grove.
Think music from day to night, surrounded by nature and sound.
Organizers expect around 16,000 attendees over the five days, with nearly one-third coming from abroad, giving the festival its signature blend of local warmth and international flair.
The 2025 lineup is as eclectic as ever, balancing Moroccan talent with heavyweights from Europe and rising stars from around the globe.
Already confirmed: Adassiya, Anzar, Apollonia, Arymé, Bedouin, Bonobo (DJ set), DJ Tennis, Folamour, Massala, Neyl & Nadrums, Patrick Mason, and Steve O’Sullivan (live), with more names expected to drop soon.
What sets MOGA apart isn’t just the music. It’s the way everything blends: electronic beats with surfboards, DJ sets with yoga mats, and traditional crafts with modern installations.
All of it is set in a UNESCO World Heritage city that still channels the free-spirited energy of the 60s, when Essaouira was a haven for artists, dreamers, and rebels from every corner of the world.
This October, MOGA is keeping that spirit alive. Expect good music, good vibes, and that unique feeling only Essaouira can give you: a place where freedom, culture, and rhythm come together under the Moroccan sun.
