Morocco runs two parallel calendars - a fixed Gregorian civil calendar and the Islamic lunar calendar - which is why the country ends up with 16 public holidays in 2026. Understanding which ones fall during your trip tells you which days to expect closed banks, quieter markets, and a different pace on the streets.
This guide covers every public holiday for 2026 and 2027 with exact verified dates, what opens and closes on each one, and which holidays are most likely to affect your plans in Taghazout or Agadir.
A misty, overcast morning on a quiet beach with wet sand.
Fixed National Holidays
These dates never move - they fall on the same Gregorian date every year.
1 January - New Year’s Day Banks, government offices, and many businesses close. In Taghazout, surf camps and most tourist-facing services operate normally. Restaurants and cafes are open.
11 January - Independence Manifesto Day Marks the 1944 declaration presented to French authorities calling for Moroccan independence. Banks and public offices close. Shops in the medina and local markets generally stay open.
14 January - Amazigh New Year (Ait Yennayer) Added as a national public holiday in 2024, recognising the Amazigh (Berber) New Year. Banks and public sector close. The date has particular cultural resonance in the Souss-Massa region around Agadir and Taghazout, where Tachelhit Amazigh is widely spoken. Local celebrations include traditional foods and community gatherings.
1 May - Labour Day The international workers’ holiday sees banks and government closed. Most commercial businesses, including supermarkets and tourist services, are open. Expect small demonstrations or marches in Agadir city centre - nothing that affects Taghazout.
30 July - Throne Day (Fete du Trone) One of the most significant national holidays of the year, marking the anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne in 1999. Expect Moroccan flags everywhere, public speeches broadcast on television and from loudspeakers, and genuine celebration in streets and squares. Banks closed; most shops open. Fireworks in the evening in larger towns.
14 August - Oued Ed-Dahab Recovery Day Marks the 1979 recovery of the Oued Ed-Dahab region. Banks and public offices close. Minimal disruption for most visitors.
20 August - Revolution of the King and the People Commemorates the 1953 exile of Sultan Mohammed V by French authorities - a pivotal moment in the independence movement. Banks closed; souks and markets largely open.
21 August - Youth Day (Fete de la Jeunesse) Celebrates King Mohammed VI’s birthday. Banks and government close. Falls the day after Revolution Day, giving Morocco two consecutive public holidays in late August - a week when administrative tasks become impossible.
31 October - Unity Day (Jour de l’Unite) New from 2026 following a royal decree of 4 November 2025. Banks, schools, and public offices close. Falls five days before Green March Day, creating two closures in a single week for anyone needing government services.
6 November - Green March Anniversary (Marche Verte) Marks the 1975 march of 350,000 Moroccans into the Western Sahara. Banks closed; shops largely open. Patriotic displays are common.
18 November - Independence Day (Fete de l’Independance) Celebrates Morocco’s independence from France and Spain in 1956. Banks and government closed. One of the most widely observed public holidays alongside Throne Day.
Islamic Moveable Holidays
These fall according to the Islamic lunar calendar and shift roughly 10-11 days earlier each Gregorian year. The exact date for each is confirmed by official moon sighting 24-48 hours in advance - published dates are estimates.
2026 Islamic Holidays
Eid al-Fitr - approximately 20-21 March 2026 The two-day feast marking the end of Ramadan. This is the most significant Islamic holiday and the most disruptive for travelers. Banks, government offices, most businesses, and many restaurants close for 1-2 days. In Taghazout, surf schools and tourist-oriented businesses typically close on the first day. Families gather; streets are quiet on day one and festive on day two. Book accommodation in advance - the week around Eid is a popular Moroccan domestic travel period.
Eid al-Adha - approximately 27-28 May 2026 The two-day feast of sacrifice. Banks and most businesses close for 2 days. Eid al-Adha sees the ritual slaughter of sheep across the country - expect the morning of the first day to be unlike any other day on the calendar. Streets are quiet, then fill with family gatherings. Taghazout surf camps often close for 1-2 days. If you are visiting in late May 2026, plan around this date. In 2027, Eid al-Adha falls around 17 May.
Islamic New Year (Fatih Muharram) - approximately 16 June 2026 One day. Banks and public offices close; many businesses stay open. Less festive than Eid - it passes quietly compared to the two Eid celebrations. In 2027, approximately 6 June.
Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid al-Nabi) - approximately 24-25 August 2026 Two days in Morocco. Banks and government close; the streets see more activity with religious gatherings and prayer. Restaurants and cafes generally stay open, particularly in tourist areas. Falls in the middle of peak surf season - surf camps and tourist operations typically remain open.
What Opens and Closes on Public Holidays
| Service | Fixed National Days | Eid al-Fitr / Eid al-Adha |
|---|---|---|
| Banks | Closed | Closed (2 days) |
| Post offices | Closed | Closed |
| Government offices | Closed | Closed |
| Supermarkets | Usually open | Closed day 1, open day 2 |
| Souks and medina shops | Usually open | Closed day 1 |
| Restaurants (tourist areas) | Open | Often closed day 1 |
| Surf schools and camps | Open | Often closed day 1 |
| Agadir airport | Open (reduced services) | Open |
| Grand taxis / buses | Running (reduced frequency) | Running (very reduced) |
The Most Disruptive Holidays for Travelers
Eid al-Adha causes the most widespread closure of any single holiday. Two consecutive days, genuinely observed across all sectors, with transport significantly reduced. If you are arriving or departing, check that your accommodation and any planned transfers are confirmed - do not assume anything is operating.
The late-August cluster (Revolution Day on 20 August + Youth Day on 21 August, followed by Mawlid al-Nabi around 24-25 August) gives Morocco three or four public holidays within a single week. Any administrative task - extending a stay, visiting a government office, bank transactions - becomes impossible for most of that stretch. Plan ahead.
The late-October/early-November cluster (Unity Day on 31 October + Green March on 6 November) is new from 2026 and catches first-time visitors off guard, particularly those who need banks for currency exchange.
Practical Notes for Taghazout and Agadir
Currency: withdraw cash before any public holiday. ATMs do not always restock on holiday mornings, and bank counters are closed. The major supermarkets in Agadir (Marjane, Label’vie) and the Agadir marina tend to stay open on most fixed holidays - the ones to watch are the two Eid celebrations.
Surf and activities: Moroccan surf schools in Taghazout are generally reliable about staying open on fixed-date national holidays. Eid al-Adha is the exception most consistently observed with a day off. Check with your specific camp or school if your trip falls around 27-28 May 2026 or 17-18 May 2027.
A walker silhouetted in a cave opening looking out to the beach.
Ramadan: Not a public holiday, but deserves a mention. In 2026, Ramadan runs from approximately 18 February to 19 March. Tourist-facing services in Taghazout generally remain open during daylight hours. See our dedicated Ramadan in Taghazout guide for the full picture.
Related news: Eid Al Adha 27 May: What Taghazout Visitors Need to Know