Christmas in Morocco is not a public holiday, but it is a great time to visit: sunny days around 18 °C in Marrakech, festive dinners in riads, churches in big cities and a quiet desert. Book early, as late December is peak season.
Christmas in Morocco is a quiet, sunny and original way to spend the holidays. Christmas is not a public holiday in this Muslim country, so daily life goes on as usual, but Marrakech riads and hotels prepare festive dinners, churches in the main cities hold services, and the weather is mild: around 18 °C by day in Marrakech. The most popular plan is a few days in Marrakech followed by a desert trip to Merzouga or Zagora, with the coast as a calmer alternative.
Is Christmas celebrated in Morocco?
Morocco is a Muslim country, and 25 December is a normal working day: shops, souks, museums and monuments open as usual. You will not see Christmas markets or city-wide decorations as in Europe. That said, the country has a long history of welcoming travelers, and the holidays are a busy time for tourism.
- Hotels and riads - many prepare a special Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner, sometimes with a decorated tree in the courtyard.
- Malls and international hotels in Marrakech and Casablanca often display decorations.
- Churches - small Christian communities, mostly foreign residents and students, attend Catholic and Protestant churches. In Marrakech, the Catholic church of the Holy Martyrs (Église des Saints-Martyrs) in Gueliz holds services; Rabat has St Peter's Cathedral; Tangier has several historic churches, including the Anglican St Andrew's. Check service times locally before travel.
For background, the Wikipedia page on Christianity in Morocco gives a good overview. In our experience, travelers appreciate the mix: a festive dinner in the evening, and an ordinary, lively Moroccan day in the medina.
Weather in Morocco at Christmas
December is one of the driest and sunniest months in the south of Morocco. Days are short (about 10 hours of daylight) and nights are cold, especially in the desert and the mountains, where snow is common on the High Atlas peaks.
| Destination | Typical day max. | Typical night min. | What to expect at Christmas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 17-20 °C | 5-7 °C | Sunny, perfect for walking; cool evenings on rooftops |
| Merzouga (Sahara) | 16-20 °C | 0-5 °C | Clear skies, cold nights in camp, very starry |
| Essaouira | 18-19 °C | 9-11 °C | Mild, can be windy; relaxed atmosphere |
| Agadir / Taghazout | 20-22 °C | 8-10 °C | The warmest option, beach walks and surf |
| Fes | 15-17 °C | 4-6 °C | Cooler, some rain possible |
| Chefchaouen | 13-15 °C | 4-6 °C | Often rainy; cosy but chilly guesthouses |
| Imlil / High Atlas | 8-12 °C | Below 0 °C | Snow on peaks, beautiful but cold |
These are typical averages; always check the forecast before travel. Our Morocco in winter guide explains clothing, heating in riads and road conditions in more depth.
Where to spend Christmas in Morocco
Marrakech: festive and lively
Marrakech is the easiest choice. Riads compete to offer the best Christmas Eve dinner, often a mix of Moroccan dishes (pastilla, tagine, couscous) and a European-style dessert. During the day, the medina, Jemaa el-Fna, the gardens and the souks are in full swing. To choose where to stay, read our guide to the best riads in Marrakech: in winter, a riad with good heating and a fireplace makes a big difference.
The Sahara: Christmas under the stars
Spending 24 or 25 December in a desert camp is unforgettable: camel ride at sunset, dinner in a tent, drums around the fire and a silent, starry sky. The dunes are slightly less crowded at Christmas than for New Year. Merzouga needs at least 3 days from Marrakech (about 560 km), Zagora 2 days. Our Sahara desert tours from Marrakech page compares the routes. If you would rather celebrate the countdown in the dunes, see our guide to New Year in the Sahara desert.
The coast: Essaouira and Agadir
Essaouira, 2.5-3 hours from Marrakech, is ideal for a calm Christmas: fresh fish, ramparts by the ocean and a relaxed medina. Agadir and Taghazout, further south, are the warmest places in winter, good for families who want some beach time.
Fes and the north
Fes is quieter and more traditional, with fewer tourists at Christmas. It is colder and rain is possible, but the medina is fascinating in any weather. Chefchaouen can be wet in December; consider it only if you have flexible days.
Crowds and prices over the Christmas holidays
The two weeks around Christmas and New Year coincide with European school holidays and are among the busiest of the year in Marrakech and the desert. What this means in practice:
- Prices - riads and camps often apply high-season rates, with higher supplements around 31 December; Christmas Eve dinners may be charged extra.
- Availability - the most popular riads and luxury camps fill up early; book 2-4 months ahead, more for groups.
- Flights - flights to Marrakech from Europe fill quickly for 20-23 December departures.
- Sights - Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Madrasa are busy; go at opening time.
Early December and the first half of January are noticeably quieter and cheaper, with the same weather, if your dates are flexible.
Sample 7-day Christmas itinerary
- Day 1 (22 Dec) - Arrive in Marrakech, private transfer to your riad, evening on Jemaa el-Fna.
- Day 2 (23 Dec) - Guided visit of the medina, souks and gardens.
- Day 3 (24 Dec) - Free morning, Christmas Eve dinner at your riad.
- Day 4 (25 Dec) - Leave with your private driver over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, Ait Ben Haddou, night in the Dades valley.
- Day 5 (26 Dec) - Todra gorge, Merzouga, camel ride and night in a desert camp.
- Day 6 (27 Dec) - Sunrise on the dunes, long drive back toward Ouarzazate or Agdz.
- Day 7 (28 Dec) - Return to Marrakech and departure.
This is just one example: we can also start in Casablanca or Fes, or swap the desert for Essaouira. Explore all our Morocco private tours for ideas. The official tourism site Visit Morocco is also useful for general information.
Practical tips for Christmas in Morocco
- Pack layers. T-shirt at lunchtime, down jacket in the evening; riads can feel cold at night.
- Book dinners in advance. Popular restaurants in Marrakech are full on 24 and 31 December.
- Respect local rhythm. Christmas is not a local holiday, so keep celebrations discreet in public places.
- Alcohol is available in licensed hotels, restaurants and some supermarkets in big cities, but not everywhere.
- Driving times. Days are short; our drivers plan long routes to arrive before dark whenever possible.
Thinking of a sunny Christmas in Morocco? Tell us your dates and preferences, and we will propose a tailor-made itinerary with a private driver. Request your free quote; our team replies within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is Christmas a public holiday in Morocco?
No. Morocco is a Muslim country and 25 December is a normal working day, so shops, souks, museums and monuments stay open. However, many hotels and riads organise Christmas dinners for guests, and Catholic and Protestant churches in cities such as Marrakech, Rabat, Casablanca and Tangier hold services. Visitors can enjoy Christmas comfortably while experiencing normal Moroccan life.
Is Morocco a good place to visit at Christmas?
Yes. Late December is sunny and dry in Marrakech and the south, with daytime temperatures of approx. 17-20 °C, ideal for exploring medinas and the desert. Nights are cold, especially in the Sahara and the Atlas, so pack warm layers. The main drawback is crowds and high-season prices, so book accommodation and tours well ahead.
Where is the warmest place in Morocco at Christmas?
Agadir and the surf village of Taghazout, on the Atlantic coast, are usually the warmest, with daytime highs of around 20-22 °C. Marrakech and Zagora are also pleasant during the day. Essaouira is mild but can be windy. Mountain areas such as Imlil and Ifrane are the coldest and may have snow.
Can I spend Christmas in the Sahara desert?
Yes, a Christmas night in a Merzouga or Zagora camp is a wonderful experience, with dinner, music around the fire and an exceptional starry sky. From Marrakech, allow at least 3 days for Merzouga or 2 days for Zagora. Nights can drop close to 0 °C, so bring warm clothes, and book early because camps are busy during the holidays.
