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Marrakech in December: Christmas & New Year Guide 2026
Mild winter sun, a calmer medina, rooftop New Year's Eve dinners and souks that are open on 25 December — here is everything you need to plan a December trip to Marrakech well.
Yasmine El Amrani· Marrakech & Atlas Editor
Marrakech-born travel writer who has spent the last decade walking the medina’s souks and the High Atlas trails above Imlil. She covers the Red City, Berber villages and day trips into the mountains. Marrakech · 12+ years covering Morocco
Published 4 October 2025 Last updated 25 March 2026
Marrakech in December is one of the most underrated European winter escapes. The city does not celebrate Christmas in the way Paris or London does — and that is exactly the point. What you get instead is a medina that belongs to its residents again, riad prices that undercut the spring peak, and the strange pleasure of warm afternoon sun when it is grey and damp back home.
The New Year period is a different matter. Rooftop dinners, Gnaoua musicians filling the square, and a countdown under Moroccan stars have made Marrakech a genuine alternative to the European city-break for 31 December. The trick is booking early — good venues are gone by October.
Below is an honest account of what to expect: the actual temperatures, what is open, where to spend New Year's Eve and what the whole thing is likely to cost.
Marrakech December Weather: What to Actually Expect
December is mild by North African standards and genuinely comfortable for walking. Nights are cold — pack accordingly.
| Period | Daytime High | Overnight Low | Rain Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early December | 18–20 °C | 7–9 °C | Low |
| Mid December | 17–19 °C | 6–8 °C | Low–moderate |
| Christmas week | 16–18 °C | 5–7 °C | Low |
| New Year week | 17–19 °C | 6–8 °C | Low |
Indicative averages. Temperatures can dip below 4 °C during cold snaps when a northerly wind descends from the Atlas.
What to Do in Marrakech in December
December suits slow exploration: the medina is navigable, the light is beautiful and there is no need to dodge crowds at every corner.
Djemaa el-Fna at its best
The square is lively but not suffocating in December. Snake charmers, storytellers and the smoke of lamb stalls — without the summer crush.
Day trips to the Atlas
December days are clear and cool, perfect for the drive to Imlil. The High Atlas gets snow above 2,500 m, but the valleys are walkable.
New Year's Eve on a rooftop
Dozens of riads and restaurants host counted-seat dinners. Book by October for top spots — expect from 800–2,000 MAD per person for a set menu.
Hammam season
There is no better time to discover a public hammam. The cold air outside makes the steam room feel essential rather than optional.
Lower prices than peak spring
Riad rates in December undercut March–April by 20–40 % outside the New Year spike (24–31 Dec). A good medina riad room can be found from 600–900 MAD/night.
The souks are open every day in December — including Christmas Day.
New Year's Eve in Marrakech: Your Options
Marrakech is increasingly popular for 31 December. Here is a honest comparison of what each option looks like in practice.
Riad rooftop dinner
800–2,000 MAD ppIntimate, candlelit, often includes live gnaoua music. Limited seats; book months ahead.
Hotel rooftop party
1,200–3,500 MAD ppDJ, countdown, Champagne. Some larger hotels open to non-guests on NYE.
Djemaa el-Fna / open streets
FreeInformal midnight celebrations among locals and travellers. Busy but genuinely festive.
Private guided NYE experience
VariesA local guide curates the evening — hammam, souk walk, private dinner, midnight on the square.
Prices indicative. A private guided New Year's Eve experience — hammam, market walk, set dinner and midnight on Djemaa el-Fna — is one of the most memorable ways to do it. A local operator can combine the best of all the above without the logistics.
Practical Tips for December
Book your riad by late October for the 24 Dec–3 Jan window. Availability dries up fast and prices spike.
Bring layers you can peel off by midday. A packable down jacket for evenings, lighter shirts for daytime is the right kit.
The Majorelle Garden and Yves Saint Laurent Museum get their shortest queues of the year in early December — go before Christmas week.
Currency: withdraw MAD from an ATM at the airport or city centre bank. Cards are accepted at most riads and larger restaurants.
Taxis in December are easier to negotiate — demand is lower than summer. Agree the fare before getting in, or use a ride-app.
If you want a day trip to the High Atlas, the Imlil valley is snow-dusted above 2,000 m in December — genuinely beautiful but pack waterproof shoes.
Marrakech in December: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marrakech cold in December?
Cold is relative. Daytime temperatures sit at 17–20 °C — warm enough for a light jacket and comfortable for walking the medina all day. After sunset the temperature drops quickly to 6–9 °C, so pack a proper fleece or wool layer. The Atlas Mountains to the north can receive snow in December, which occasionally brings a sharp wind down into the city. Mornings are often chilly until about 10 am, then pleasantly mild through the afternoon.
What temperature is Marrakech in December?
Expect daytime highs of 17–20 °C and overnight lows of 5–9 °C across December. The month averages around 6 rain days, mostly brief showers rather than all-day downpours. UV levels are lower than summer but sunscreen is still worth applying for outdoor activities. In short: pack layers you can shed by noon and pull back on by 5 pm.
What events are on in Marrakech in December?
December is quieter for large festivals — the big cultural calendar events (marathon, popular arts festival, film festival) typically fall in January and summer. What the month does offer is a local rhythm: weekly souks in Rahba Kedima, Gnaoua musicians on Djemaa el-Fna most evenings, and a handful of private gallery openings and riad pop-up dinners in the weeks leading up to New Year. A private guide can pinpoint what is on during your specific dates.
Is Marrakech good for New Year's Eve?
Genuinely yes — and increasingly so. The combination of a warm-enough night, a photogenic medina, rooftop terraces and the spectacle of Djemaa el-Fna makes for a memorable NYE. The main caveat is planning ahead: quality riad dinners and rooftop venues sell out weeks in advance for 31 December. Prices spike for the 28–31 Dec window, so if your budget is tight, arriving on 1 or 2 January cuts costs without missing the experience.
Are souks open at Christmas in Marrakech?
Yes, fully open. Christmas is not a public holiday in Morocco — the souks, restaurants and attractions operate normally on 24–26 December. The medina is actually quieter than Easter or summer, which means more space to browse the spice sellers and leather workshops without being rushed. Some tourist-facing restaurants add a small Christmas menu or decoration, but the city otherwise carries on as usual.
Is there a Christmas atmosphere in Marrakech?
Not in the commercial European sense — no Christmas trees on every corner, no Mariah Carey from shop speakers. What you do find is a growing number of European-owned riads and restaurants that put up simple decorations and offer Christmas Day lunches (often 600–1,200 MAD for a set menu). For many visitors this is the appeal: a genuinely different festive period away from the usual trappings, with warm Moroccan hospitality filling the gap instead.
How busy is Marrakech in December compared to spring?
Noticeably quieter in early and mid December. The first three weeks of the month sit in the shoulder season — tour groups are sparse and Djemaa el-Fna is accessible rather than overwhelming. The Christmas and New Year spike (roughly 22 Dec–3 Jan) brings a surge of European short-break travellers, so riads fill up and prices rise. Book accommodation for that window by October to get the best value, and consider arriving a few days before 24 Dec to catch the quiet before the rush.
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