Casablanca will host its first-ever Casablanca Music Week from June 20 to 24, 2025, marking a significant step in the city’s efforts to establish itself as a major cultural hub.
The event, organized by NRJ Morocco, will take place at La Casablancaise, a dynamic urban space, and features a diverse program combining music, film, sports, gaming, and intellectual discussions.
The festival’s lineup includes international artists such as Shaggy, Wyclef Jean, and Gims, alongside rising African talents like Anzor Alem. This blend of global and local acts reflects the organizers’ ambition to position Casablanca as a meeting point for creative exchange. “The idea is to create a meeting point between global sounds and the emerging voices of the African continent,” a source involved in the project said.
Beyond music, the event includes outdoor film screenings, e-sports tournaments, and cultural talks, signaling a broader vision for Casablanca’s cultural transformation. The city, long known as Morocco’s economic center, has been working to redefine its identity by embracing the arts. This initiative aligns with a growing trend in North Africa, where cities increasingly leverage cultural events to boost tourism and international visibility.
The success of Casablanca Music Week could solidify the city’s place on the regional cultural map. However, challenges remain, including logistical execution and audience engagement. If successful, the festival may join the ranks of established global events like South by Southwest and We Love Green.
Casablanca’s push for cultural relevance mirrors similar efforts across Morocco, where cities like Marrakech and Rabat have long been celebrated for their arts scenes. For Casablanca, this festival represents an opportunity to balance its economic prominence with a thriving creative identity, offering a new narrative for a city eager to redefine itself.
