The short answer
The Festival International des Nomades is a three-day gathering held each March at M'Hamid el Ghizlane, at the end of the road south through the Draa valley. It celebrates Saharan nomadic culture: music, poetry, storytelling, crafts and camel racing. Most people there are Moroccan participants, not tourists. Check the year's dates before planning around it.
In more detail
M'Hamid sits where the Draa river finally disappears into the sand, the last town before the Erg Chigaga dunes. Our destination notes describe the festival as one of Morocco's most genuine cultural events: a meeting of nomadic communities, musicians and storytellers in the open desert, rather than a show put on for visitors.
March is also good desert weather, which makes the festival a fine reason to combine M'Hamid with a night or two at Erg Chigaga. The drive from Marrakech runs over the Tizi n'Tichka, through Ouarzazate and down the Draa valley via Zagora, so plan several days.
We do not hold confirmed dates for the next edition, so check before you book. Rooms in a small town fill quickly during the festival. M'Hamid has mobile signal but no cash machines, so bring cash from Zagora. Dress for cold desert nights, as March evenings can still be cool.