Fez — Moroccan singers Hatim Ammor, Karima Ghait, and Hatim Idar are among the artists set to perform at the 19th Moussem of Tan-Tan, taking place from October 30 to November 3, 2026.
The Almouggar Foundation has unveiled the event’s official artistic lineup, bringing together contemporary Moroccan performers, traditional music groups, and international guests for five days of cultural celebrations.
Held under the theme “The Moussem of Tan-Tan: Human Heritage and a Bridge for Cultural Exchange,” this year’s edition will also coincide with Morocco’s Unity Day celebrations on October 31.
The organizers have planned concerts across two main stages in Tan-Tan and El Ouatia, combining popular Moroccan music, Hassani rhythms, and traditional performances.
Moroccan and Arab artists take the stage
Alongside Ammor, Ghait, and Idar, the musical program features Lazaro and Chaabi singer Moughit, bringing different styles of Moroccan popular music to the festival.
Emirati singer Fadel Mazroui will also participate, reflecting the event’s cultural connections with the United Arab Emirates.
Other scheduled performers include Oumayma Amsaadi, Duke, the group Mnat Aïchata, Mr ID, and DJ SDOX Fusion.
Local musical groups and DJs will open the evening performances throughout the Moussem, giving regional artists opportunities to share the stage with established names.
The program will also highlight women working to preserve Morocco’s traditional performing arts.
Among them is Sanae Jeddoubi, whom the organizers describe as the country’s first and youngest female Ahidous troupe leader. Her participation will celebrate women’s contributions to passing down traditional dance and music across generations.
Spiritual music and Saharan traditions
Beyond the main concert stages, the festival’s Grand Tent at the Place of Peace and Tolerance will host evenings dedicated to spiritual singing and traditional Moroccan music on November 1 and 2.
The lineup includes Marouane Haji and Yassine Lachhab, known for their performances of spiritual music and madih, a tradition of devotional poetry and singing.
Ali Madidi and Mohamed Baaia will also perform, introducing audiences to further expressions of Morocco’s spiritual musical heritage.
The concerts form part of a wider cultural program that includes traditional crafts, camel races, Tbourida performances, and exhibitions exploring the customs of Saharan communities.
The festivities will open on October 30 with a religious ceremony at the Zaouia of Sheikh Mohamed Laghdaf Ben Sheikh Ma El Ainin.
On October 31, the Moussem will host a gathering of tribal representatives, official delegations, and guests, accompanied by performances celebrating Hassani heritage.
November 1 and 2 will feature traditional demonstrations, popular games, poetry gatherings, and a heritage carnival bringing together hundreds of participants dressed in traditional clothing.
The festival will conclude on November 3 with an evening dedicated to poetry.
Preserving a UNESCO-recognized tradition
The Moussem of Tan-Tan has long served as a gathering place for nomadic communities from southern Morocco and other parts of northwest Africa.
Historically, these gatherings allowed communities to exchange goods, share knowledge, celebrate weddings, and organize competitions involving horses and camels.
UNESCO recognized the Moussem as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005 before inscribing it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
The Almouggar Foundation, established in 2014 and chaired by Mohamed Fadel Benyaich, oversees the preservation and promotion of the event.
Through its combination of contemporary concerts, regional traditions, and cultural gatherings, the upcoming edition seeks to connect Morocco’s musical present with the heritage of its Saharan communities.
