MOGA Festival Returns to Essaouira for a Landmark 10th Anniversary Edition

One of North Africa’s most beloved electronic music festivals is celebrating a decade of music, culture, and community and it’s going bigger than ever.

From September 30 to October 4, 2026, the windswept coastal city of Essaouira will once again transform into the beating heart of Morocco’s electronic music scene as MOGA Festival returns for its 7th edition on home soil. This year, however, carries a special weight: MOGA is celebrating ten years of existence — a milestone that cements its status as the oldest electronic music festival of its kind in the Kingdom.

A Decade of Music, Movement, and Moroccan Identity

When MOGA launched its first edition in Essaouira back in 2016, few could have predicted the cultural force it would become. Ten years later, the festival has hosted six editions in Essaouira, expanded internationally with editions in Portugal (since 2021) and Spain (since 2025), and is set to reach Brazil in the near future — all while proudly carrying Moroccan identity onto the world stage.

What began as a niche gathering for electronic music lovers has evolved into a full-scale cultural phenomenon, drawing thousands of national and international festival-goers to the City of the Trade Winds every first week of October. The #MogaTribe community, as the festival affectionately calls its loyal following, has grown into something far beyond an audience — it is a movement.

The 2026 Lineup: A Celebration Worthy of the Anniversary

To mark its 10th anniversary, MOGA has pulled out all the stops with a first lineup announcement that reads like a who’s-who of the global electronic scene — alongside a proud showcase of Moroccan talent.

Leading the bill is Jamie Jones, the British DJ and producer making his very first appearance in Morocco. With over two decades shaping club culture — from legendary Ibiza residencies to headline slots on the world’s biggest stages — Jones’s debut on Moroccan soil is nothing short of a historic moment for the local scene.

Equally anticipated is the return of The Martinez Brothers, the New York house music icons who are coming back to Morocco for the first time in twenty years. Their signature energy and deep-rooted house sensibility are guaranteed to be a festival highlight.

Closing out the weekend will be Dutch duo ANOTR, currently among the most followed acts on the international circuit, known for their globally celebrated No Art concept that has taken the electronic world by storm.

On the Moroccan front, the festival delivers something truly special: a back-to-back set between Daox and Amine K, two artists whose international careers are living proof of the growing global reach of Moroccan electronic music.

The full first announcement lineup includes:

Alexis Cabrera (live) · Amine K · Anotr · Calabasa · Cesar Merveille · Enrica Falqui · Daox · Fantastic Man B2B Tornado Wallace · Fort Romeau · Hamadeus · Hyde · Jakaw · Jamie Jones · Jhobei · Jilali · Julian Anthony · Kalabrese · Loewenthal · Mamba Skar · Memed Awad · Moruki · N4bz · Notre Dame · Ousseki · Oz & Rem · Rain · Ramyen · Rhadoo · The Martinez Brothers · Tunik · Viken Arman · Voigtmann · Yahya (live) · Yaya (MA)

Two Experiences in One Festival

MOGA 2026 unfolds across two distinct formats, each with its own energy and spirit.

MOGA OFF — September 30 & October 1 opens the festivities to the entire city of Essaouira with a free cultural program spread across 37 partner venues throughout the medina. DJ sets, live concerts, surf sessions, yoga, open-air cinema, craft workshops, and community gatherings will animate the city’s iconic streets and spaces — making the festival accessible to all.

MOGA IN — October 2, 3 & 4 then takes things to another level at the stunning Hôtel Le Golf d’Essaouira & Spa, transformed into a fully immersive village nestled in the heart of a palm grove. Four stages, a designer market, curated gastronomy, and the festival’s signature warm, sun-drenched atmosphere make this the centrepiece of the MOGA experience.

Together, the two formats capture exactly what MOGA has always stood for: a festival that is both a premium artistic event and a deeply communal celebration rooted in its city.

More Than Music: An Economic Engine for Essaouira

The impact of MOGA extends well beyond the dancefloor. A socio-economic impact study conducted by K&Co and released in early 2026, measuring the ripple effects of the 2025 edition, paints a striking picture of the festival’s role in the local economy.

The numbers speak for themselves: 15,000 participants attended the festival, generating 51.5 million MAD in spending across the local and national economy. The event mobilized 1,404 direct jobs and recorded a 92% satisfaction rate among attendees. Perhaps most tellingly, more than a third of festival-goers extended their stay in Essaouira — driving additional spending in accommodation, restaurants, and local activities.

Through MOGA OFF alone, spread across dozens of venues in the medina, the festival ensures that its economic benefits reach the entire city — from boutique riads and artisan workshops to local restaurants and surf schools.

Championing Morocco’s Next Generation

Beyond the international headliners, MOGA remains firmly committed to nurturing Morocco’s homegrown talent. This edition will feature Moroccan collectives Hush Hush, Supervibe, Cartoon, and LVR as integral parts of the programming — giving a platform to a new generation of DJs, creators, and independent communities that are defining the sound and identity of Moroccan electronic music today.

It is this balance — between world-class international acts and the cultivation of local creativity — that has made MOGA not just a festival, but a cultural institution.

Mark Your Calendar

MOGA Essaouira 2026 is shaping up to be the most significant edition in the festival’s history. Whether you’re a seasoned member of the #MogaTribe or experiencing the magic of Essaouira for the first time, this is one October you won’t want to miss.

MOGA Festival | September 30 – October 4, 2026 | Essaouira, Morocco Tickets and information: www.mogafestival.com