City finder

Public Holidays in Morocco

Everybody loves public holidays! Check the listings below for the annual public and bank holidays in Morocco.

List of Public Holidays Celebrated in Morocco

New Year’s Day – January 1
Known locally as Ras l' âm, there is no religious significance attached to this day, but is recognized in Morocco as a holiday in line with the rest of the world.

Islamic New Year
Known as Fatih Muharram this religious holiday is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Islamic calendar, which is lunar and therefore takes place on a different date according to the Gregorian calendar each year. Muslims take time on this day to reflect on the significance of this month as well as the Hijra the prophet Mohamed made to the city of Medina.

Eid El-Adha – February 12 & 13*
Muslim religious holiday celebrated as the commemoration of Abraham’s sacrifice. As one of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, this religious festival takes place on the tenth day of the Islamic calendar month of Dhu Hijja, the twelfth and final month of the year.

Labor Day – May 1
Otherwise known as May Day and International Worker’s Day, and known locally as Yaûm Al-Âmal, this celebration takes place all around the world in recognition of workers’ rights.

Eid El-Mawlid – May 14*
This is a celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohamed, which takes place on the twelfth day of the third Islamic calendar month of Rabi’ al-awwal and is observed by Muslims world-wide.

Allegiance Day – August 14
Known locally as Zikra Oued Ed-Dahab, this is the commemoration of the return of the Oued Eddahab region to Morocco by Mauritania.

King and People’s Revolution Day – August 20
Known locally as Taourat al-malik wa shaab, this day is celebrated in remembrance of the return of King Mohammed V to Morocco after a period of exile in Madagascar. His return set in motion negotiations that would later lead to Moroccan independence.

Birthday of King Mohammed VI – August 21
Known locally as Eid Al Milad, this day is set aside for the citizens of Morocco to celebrate the birthday of the Kingdom of Morocco’s current reigning king. King Mohammed VI is the 18th king in the Alaouite dynasty and ascended to the throne in July 1999 following the death of his father, King Hassan II.

Anniversary of the Green March – November 6
Known locally as Eid Al Massira Al Khadra, this day commemorates the event on November 6, 1975 when around 350,000 unarmed Moroccans along with 27,000 soldiers under the direction of King Hassan II marched to the border of Western Sahara calling for the territory to be returned to Morocco. The color green was chosen as a symbol of Islam.

Independence Day – November 18
Known locally as Eid Al Istiqulal, this is Morocco’s National Day in recognition of the country’s independence with various celebrations taking place throughout the country.

Eid El Fitr – November 25 & 26*
This festival marks the end of the Islamic holy month of fasting known as Ramadan. This is viewed as a time for fellowship and festivities include congregational prayers, visiting friends and relatives and donating money to the poor.

* This festival may be moved to coincide with the sighting of the moon