Editorial illustration, generated image, generically depicting music showcases and a professional music market.
Four days of music in Rabat
The 13th Visa For Music is scheduled to take place in Rabat from November 18 through November 21, 2026. Created in 2014, the event describes itself as both a festival and a music market, with a particular focus on Africa and the Middle East. Its format therefore combines public performances with activities designed for artists and music-sector professionals.
Organizers reported receiving more than 900 applications from over 90 countries for the 2026 edition. More than 35 artistic projects were selected for the official programme. These figures describe the announced selection process, but they do not mean that every activity has the same access rules: showcases, the forum, the professional exhibition and registration-based meetings each have distinct conditions.
Live, electronic and traditional showcases
The announced programme includes 30 live showcases, 12 electronic showcases and four traditional African groups. Live Stage performances are due to run daily from November 18 to 21, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., at the Mohammed V Theatre, its esplanade, INSMAC and the Bahnini stage. The detailed allocation of artists across these spaces will need to be followed through the event programme.
Electronic showcases are scheduled for the same dates, from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., at the Chellah stage. Access requires either accreditation or a ticket. This distinguishes the electronic programme from certain free forum activities and the Expostand. Anyone planning to attend both the live and electronic stages should therefore check which pass category covers the spaces they wish to enter.
Announced Moroccan and international acts
The announced Moroccan or partly Moroccan projects include Adam El Mouna & Faylasuf, Gnawatronic, Jbiina, Meryem Aboulouafa, Onzy Jazzbar, R2D, Soufiane AZ, Yvzid, Kiw & Mourad Belouadi, Mycose of You, Rita Kamale and Sara Moullablad. This list reflects the announcements available on October 16 and does not establish the time or stage assigned to each act.
The announced international selection includes Yugen Blakrok, Mariaa Siga, Radjha Ally, DJ Emos Djekomon, Chlöe’s Clue, Enzo Avitabile & I Bottari, Delehei and Moonshine. Because the event remains forthcoming, the final lineup, schedules, venues and access arrangements may still be clarified or changed by the organizer. Readers should check the latest information again before travelling.
Opening programme, tickets and accreditation
Activities on November 18 are due to begin at 5 p.m. with city-centre parades and entertainment on the esplanade, followed by theatre showcases from 6 p.m. The organizer nevertheless states that the opening ceremony is paid and is not freely open to the public. The announced activity in the city should therefore not be confused with access to the ceremony itself.
Available categories include full and day passes for the Live Stages and Electro Stages. The organizer also advertises reduced rates for students and Pass Jeune holders, but no prices are established in the verified information. Professional and press accreditation applications remain open until October 31, 2026. The accreditation desk is scheduled to operate from November 18 to 21, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., on the Mohammed V Theatre esplanade.
Forum and Expostand: what is open to the public
The forum will run from November 19 to 21 at the Institut Français de Rabat and INSMAC. Conferences and master classes are announced as free, subject to the programme. Workshops use a different procedure: admission depends on selection through registration forms. As detailed session titles, speakers and parts of the timetable have not yet been announced, they cannot be treated as confirmed at this stage.
The professional Expostand is scheduled for November 19 to 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on the first floor of the Mohammed V Theatre. More than 30 music-sector exhibitors are due to take part. The area is announced as free and open to the public, making it accessible without necessarily meeting the requirements for closed professional activities or ticketed stages.
Networking meetings for accredited professionals
Speed meetings will take place at INSMAC from November 19 to 21, between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Unlike the Expostand, they are limited to registered and accredited artists and professionals. Accreditation should therefore not be viewed as an ordinary concert ticket: it serves a professional purpose and determines access to these networking appointments.
Visa For Music is produced and managed by Anya Culture with Atlas Azawan. It is supported by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, Fondation Hiba, BMDA and the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Regional Council. As November 18 approaches, visitors should still confirm the final programme, artist-by-artist schedules, exact ticketing arrangements and any updates affecting venues or access conditions.
