From 28 October to 7 November 2026, Holland Gnawa Festival returns to The Hague for its eighth edition, bringing international musicians, new talent and cultural traditions to venues across the city.
Under the theme Music Without Borders, the festival celebrates Gnawa, a vibrant musical and cultural tradition from Morocco with roots in West Africa. The programme features concerts, theatre, comedy, workshops, family activities and cultural encounters.
This year’s festival also strengthens connections between the Schilderswijk and Transvaal neighbourhoods and some of The Hague’s best-known cultural venues, including Amare, Het Nationale Theater, Korzo, PAARD and Theater De Regentes.
Discover the World of Gnawa
Gnawa music is known for its hypnotic rhythms, singing and distinctive instruments, including the three-stringed guembri and metal percussion instruments known as qraqeb.
Rooted in centuries-old spiritual traditions, Gnawa has developed into an influential musical style that also embraces jazz, blues, rock and electronic music.
In 2019, Gnawa was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Holland Gnawa Festival explores both the traditional and contemporary sides of this musical heritage, bringing established international artists and emerging musicians to The Hague.
Festival Highlights
The programme includes a wide range of performances and activities.
29 October – Gnaoua Electro Live @ Korzo
Trans Sahara Electro, performed with Marmoucha Orchestra, and Elements of Baraka present an evening combining traditional North African rhythms with electronic music, dub and techno.
30 October – Kalimba Quartet @ Theater De Regentes
An evening of music, a workshop and a jam session featuring Khalil Mounji and Mbemba Diabaté, exploring connections between Gnawa and West African Mandingue music.
31 October – Gnawa & Chaabi Royal Night @ Koninklijke Schouwburg
Gnawa master Maâlem Abdelkebir Merchane and Moroccan singer and violinist Abdellah Daoudi present an evening celebrating Gnawa and Chaabi, two important Moroccan musical traditions.
1 November – Gnawa Parade @ The Hague City Centre
A free public parade featuring Remork & Karkaba will travel from Theater aan het Spui via the Koninklijke Schouwburg towards PAARD, filling the city centre with music, percussion and dance.
1 November – Hassan El Fad and The Super Gnawa Girls @ Koninklijke Schouwburg
Moroccan comedian Hassan El Fad appears in a programme that also features Marmoucha Orchestra performing with The Super Gnawa Girls: Fatima Ezzahra Jebli, Ijjo Beljaoui and Halima El Gourd.
7 November – Gnawa Diffusion @ Amare
The festival concludes with Gnawa Diffusion, the Algerian band known for blending Gnawa traditions with rock, reggae, rap and blues.
Connecting Neighbourhoods and Cultures
An important part of this year’s edition is the Culturele Loper (Cultural Route) connecting the Schilderswijk and Transvaal neighbourhoods with cultural institutions across The Hague.
Through cultural tours, workshops and encounters, the initiative encourages residents to discover cultural venues while also giving local artists and communities opportunities to share their stories and traditions.
The festival extends beyond concerts, with opportunities to explore Gnawa through music-making, shared meals, workshops and activities for younger audiences.
Festival director Mustapha Barbouch emphasises that Gnawa is about more than music. It is also about heritage, stories, cultural exchange and passing traditions from one generation to the next.
Practical Information
Dates: Wednesday 28 October to Saturday 7 November 2026
Locations: Various venues across The Hague, including Amare, Korzo, PAARD, Theater De Regentes, Theater aan het Spui and the Koninklijke Schouwburg.
Admission: Ticket prices vary by performance. Some activities, including the Gnawa Parade on 1 November, are free.
Important: The official festival opening on 28 October at Juliana Plaza is by invitation only. The other ticketed performances and public activities are listed on the festival website.
Full programme and tickets: Holland Gnawa Festival 2026 – English Programme
