Swira Breaking Jam: Essaouira Hosts Its First International Hip-Hop Festival, May 15–17, 2026

What is the Swira Breaking Jam?

Designed as a free open-air jam, the Swira Breaking Jam is not your usual festival. It's a cultural gathering that brings dancers, DJs, MCs and graffiti artists from Morocco, Europe and beyond together around hip-hop's founding values — Peace, Love, Unity & Having Fun. The festival builds on the educational work carried out at La Maison Rouge, a Montessori centre in Ghazoua, where breakdance is taught to young people as a tool for self-expression and confidence. The idea is simple: bring a living, open urban culture to Essaouira, and offer locals and visitors alike a moment of authentic sharing. And as the spirit demands: entry is free. One single motto — Just Positive Energy.

Friday, May 15 — Conference & Funk & Groove Night

Day one sets the foundations. At Dar Souiri, from 6:30 to 8 PM, a "Hip-Hop History" conference is hosted by Sidney — a legendary figure of French hip-hop culture and founder of the iconic H.I.P. H.O.P TV show — and Ivy Boniface. On the agenda: the origins of the movement in the 1970s Bronx, its social integration, its recognition all the way to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and its role as a teaching tool today. The evening continues at Taros, from 8:30 PM to 1 AM, with a Funk & Groove night: DJ Soufwax, then Sidney on the decks, and DJ Aykatt to close.

Saturday, May 16 — Hip-Hop Village & Workshops

The big day. From 10 AM to 8 PM, the Hip-Hop Village takes over the corniche: makers' market, live graffiti sessions, spontaneous dance cyphers, food and drinks area. A real meeting place in the heart of the city. Throughout the day, workshops follow one another, all open to every level:

• 11 AM–12 PM: Breaking workshop with Bgirl Elmamouny, Moroccan Olympic Champion
• 12:15–1:15 PM: Afro Dance workshop with Joyce, pioneer of Afro dance in Morocco
• 1:30–2:15 PM: Live performance Hafid with Selma (Funky, Groovy, Reggae)
• 2–3:30 PM: DJing workshop at BEYTT with Salim Ash (Mirage Sonart)
• 2:30–3:30 PM: House Dance workshop with Scorpion, founder of the Respect Your Culture movement
• 3:45–5 PM: Advanced Breaking workshop with Gribz (Connor), FromDownTown Crew
• 5–6:30 PM: Open Mic Freestyle MC/Rapper with DJ SIM-H and MC Liontash
• 6:30–8 PM: Cypher Time hosted by DJ Flaya
• 7–8:30 PM: Screening of the documentary Broken Mirrors at the Institut Français, with director Othmane Saadouni in attendance

Saturday Evening at BEYTT

The night carries on at BEYTT from 8:30 PM to 2:30 AM with Tom Boeri, DJ Flaya and Ladagnous.

Sunday, May 17 — International Battle & After Party

The festival's highlight. From 10:30 AM, the Hip-Hop Village reopens on the corniche. Alongside, two workshops to kick things off:

• 10 AM–12 PM: Graffiti workshop with KayOne, legendary member of the 93 NTM Crew and pioneer of graffiti in France
• 10 AM–12 PM: Kids Breaking Initiation with IzShee, winner of Red Bull BC One Morocco

International Breaking Battle

From 12:30 PM, qualifiers: dancers from Morocco and abroad step into the circle to earn their spot. Then, from 2:30 to 7 PM, the International Breaking Battle, hosted by Admir (International MC), with an expert jury. To close the three days in style: After Party at BEYTT from 8:30 PM to 1 AM, with Slycer, Sidney HIP-HOP and Zulu Nawfel x Eyoub.

Artists you don't want to miss

More than 20 artists and speakers are announced. A few names alone worth the trip:

• Bgirl Elmamouny, Moroccan Olympic Breaking Champion
• Bboy LilZoo, World Breaking Champion
• Sidney, French hip-hop legend, host of the very first hip-hop TV show in Europe
• KayOne, pioneer of graffiti in France, formerly of 93 NTM Crew
• DJ Flaya and **Gribz**, FromDownTown Crew
• DJ Zulu Nawfel, Moroccan international DJ
• Admir, International MC hosting the Battle

Where does the festival take place?

The festival takes over several key venues in Essaouira:

• The Corniche (facing Mogador Island): Hip-Hop Village, qualifiers and Battle
• Dar Souiri: opening conference
• Taros: Friday's Funk & Groove night
• BEYTT: DJing workshops, House Dance night and After Party
• Institut Français: screening of Broken Mirrors

Book your (free) pass

The 3-day pass gives access to the conference, workshops, International Battle and film screening. Price: free, Just Positive Energy. Reservations on the festival's official ticketing platform: billetteries.ma/billetterie/swirabreakingjam. To follow the event in real time: @swirabreakingjam on Instagram, and the official website swirabreakingjam.com.

Coming to Essaouira for the festival?

If you're planning to come and enjoy the Swira Breaking Jam, we can give you a hand with the rest of your stay. Accommodation, transport from Marrakech or Casablanca, restaurant suggestions, side activities to explore the region between battle days — that's exactly what we do every day. The festival takes place right in the heart of the city. Take the chance to discover the UNESCO-listed medina, enjoy grilled fish at the harbour, head out on a quad ride through the dunes, or simply relax on the beach facing Mogador Island.