If you’re planning on visiting Marrakech in October 2019, you should consider taking in one or more of the following events…
Marrakech Diary Dates October 2019
October is one of the busiest and most exciting months in Marrakech and this year even more so as as the ‘Ochre City’ plays host to three major international events for the very first time.
The most high profile of these is the first ever staging of a Tour de France ‘étape’ to be held on the continent of Africa. Taking place between 17th and 19th October in Marrakech, the occasion will be celebrated with 3 days of exhibitions, sporting challenges and a diversity of other (free) activities allowing both cyclists and spectators to immerse themselves in the thrilling atmosphere of the Tour de France while taking in Morocco’s wild and beautiful landscapes.
The second ‘first’ for Marrakech is the International Tango Festival. Scheduled to run from the 17th to 20th October 2019, this exciting addition to the city’s events calendar will be hosted by the Pavillon Maya on the Ourika Valley road. As one of Marrakech’s largest and most prestigious venues it will bestow the festival with a particularly high profile.
Promising plenty of surprises in the shape of tango shows enriched by local folkloric shows and oriental dancing demos, this event also offers locals and visitors the opportunity to participate in a series of tango workshops for absolute beginners, intermediates and even top performers.
On 27th October 2019, Marrakech will become the first city of the Maghreb to host the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. Featuring one of the world’s fastest IRONMAN bike legs, the event features, as the name suggests, three supremely challenging disciplines:
- a 1.9 km/1.2 miles swim in the waters of Lac Lalla, Takerkoust
- a 90 km/56-mile bike ride through the delightful village of Tahanaout and up into the Atlas via the beautiful Ourika Valley
- a 21 km/13.1-mile ‘double-loop’ run through the heart of the Ochre city.
Having passed many of the most famous landmarks of Marrakech along the way, including the Madrasa, Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque, central Jemaa el-Fnaa Square and Majorelle Gardens, the race concludes at the city’s iconic Circuit Moulay El Hassan, Morocco’s premier motor racing venue.
Other Marrakech in October 2019 Events
Other noteworthy events you might consider including in your visit are:
Cap Fémina Aventure, a ‘ladies only’ navigation, quad biking and camping expedition between the 2nd and 13th October 2019;
Ultra Trail Atlas Toubkal from the 5th to 7th October 2019, and the
Trophée Roses Des Sables on the 25th October 2019
Finally, October sees the annual Tissa Horse show and Erfoud Date Festival, both of them held early in the month. Unfortunately, precise dates for these events could not be confirmed at time of writing, but more detailed information should be available locally (i.e. via hotel staff) closer to the time.
Image courtesy of www.marrakechtangofestival.com