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Morocco in December: Christmas, New Year & Winter Travel
Mild days, thin crowds and unforgettable Sahara sunrises — December is one of Morocco's most underrated travel months. Here is everything you need to plan a winter trip 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 10 January 2026 Last updated 1 March 2026
December is one of the shrewdest months to visit Morocco. The summer heat has long gone, the spring rush has not yet arrived, and outside the New Year window, hotels and riads drop to their lowest prices of the year. The trade-off — and it is a minor one — is that evenings are genuinely cool everywhere and the north can see rain. But in Marrakech, Agadir and the Sahara, days are blue-skied and warm enough for shirt-sleeves.
For European and North American travellers looking for a Christmas break that feels nothing like home, Morocco delivers. There are no advent calendars on the city walls, no piped carols in the souks — just one of the world's great ancient medinas operating at full tilt, spice markets piled to the ceiling and desert camps where, on a clear December night, the Milky Way is almost offensively bright.
The December sweet spot runs from roughly the 5th to the 28th. The New Year window (29 December – 2 January) brings a surge in visitors and prices, particularly in Marrakech, but is manageable if you plan ahead.
December Weather Across Morocco
Morocco spans 1,000 km north to south — the weather varies dramatically by region. Here is what to realistically expect.
| Region | Night low | Day high |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 5–8°C | 18–20°C |
| Fes | 4–7°C | 15–18°C |
| Chefchaouen | 3–6°C | 13–16°C |
| Essaouira | 9–11°C | 17–19°C |
| Sahara (Merzouga) | 2–5°C | 18–22°C |
| Agadir | 12–14°C | 20–22°C |
Temperatures are indicative averages; actual conditions vary year to year. The Atlas Mountains above 2,000 m can receive snow from November onwards — check road conditions before heading to Tizi n'Tichka.
Christmas & New Year in Morocco
Morocco does not celebrate Christmas, but the festive season has its own distinct character — here is what to expect across the key dates.
New Year's Eve in Marrakech
Djemaa el-Fna fills with musicians, fire-dancers and food stalls from early evening. Rooftop restaurants along the square host ticketed dinners — book four to six weeks ahead for anything with a view. The atmosphere builds naturally without the manufactured glitter of European countdowns, and the souks stay open late.
Christmas Day Logistics
Morocco is a Muslim country and does not observe Christmas as a public holiday. Most tourist riads, restaurants and tour operators in Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira run normally — or even lay on a special dinner for guests. Supermarkets are open. Expect no tinsel but a perfectly functional, relaxed travel day.
Sahara in December
December is one of the finest months for the Merzouga dunes. Days in the desert hit 18–22°C, the light is golden and slanted, and you have the Erg Chebbi almost to yourself compared with autumn peak season. Nights drop below freezing, but reputable camps provide heavy blankets and, at better ones, heated tents.
Chefchaouen & the North
The blue city in the Rif Mountains is properly cold and occasionally wet in December — temperatures in the 3–16°C range — but that brings a certain magic: mist rolling across the hillsides, near-empty cobblestone streets, and wood fires in guesthouse lounges. Not a beach month here, but outstanding for photography and atmosphere.
Where to Go in Morocco in December
Not every corner of Morocco is equally suited to a December visit. Here is how to allocate your time.
Best choice
Marrakech + Sahara circuit
The classic combination works superbly in December. Marrakech is cool and navigable without the summer crush; the desert is at its most photogenic. A 3–5 day Marrakech-to-Merzouga private tour makes full use of the season — warm desert days and genuinely dramatic cold nights under the stars.
Strong choice
Agadir & the south coast
Agadir is Morocco's warmest December city — 20–22°C days are common, the beach promenade is walkable, and it is far quieter than July. Not a cultural highlight, but excellent for rest and a sea-facing riad. Day trips to Tiznit and Taroudant add history without a long drive.
Go in knowing
Fes & the imperial cities
Fes in December is moody and beautiful — fog sits in the medina valleys, the tanneries smell sharper in the cold air, and the alleyways feel almost yours. Rain and chill are real; waterproof shoes and a warm jacket are non-negotiable. Meknes and Volubilis work well as a combined day trip.
Know what you're getting
Chefchaouen & the north
Cold, potentially wet, and starkly beautiful. The blue city is photographically extraordinary in December mist. Pair it with Tangier if you want coastal contrast. This is genuinely northern-European cold (5–16°C) not Mediterranean mild — pack accordingly and embrace the wood-fire guesthouse culture.
Practical Details for a December Morocco Trip
Prices
Low–medium (except 29 Dec–2 Jan)
Crowds
Low; New Year spike in Marrakech
Ideal duration
7–10 days for desert + city
Booking timing: For a standard December trip (1–26 December), you can book accommodation two to four weeks ahead. For New Year, push that to eight weeks minimum for anything with a good location in Marrakech. Riad prices from around 700–2,500 MAD/night for a double (indicative) can double over the holiday window.
Getting around: December is the best month to have a private driver. Road conditions in the Atlas are unpredictable — occasional snow on the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) can close the main Marrakech–Ouarzazate route without warning. A private guided tour handles routing dynamically and can find alternate passes or adjust timing. Budget travellers can take the overnight CTM coach Marrakech–Merzouga (roughly 10 hours, from ~180 MAD), but flexibility is limited.
Desert camp costs in December: A standard Sahara camp night near Merzouga runs from around 350–900 MAD per person (indicative), including camel ride, dinner and breakfast. Luxury camps with private en-suite tents run 1,200–2,500 MAD and above. Booking as part of a private tour simplifies logistics enormously — your driver handles the timing and knows the camps.
What to wear: Daytime in Marrakech — light layers, a cardigan for late afternoon. Desert days — a T-shirt is fine; desert evenings and nights — a proper warm fleece or down jacket plus thermal base layer. North Morocco — treat it like a cool British autumn: waterproof jacket, warm mid-layer, sturdy shoes.
Morocco in December FAQs
Is Morocco warm in December?
Warm is relative. Marrakech and Agadir are pleasantly mild — highs around 18–22°C — and feel like a south European spring day. The Sahara desert reaches similar daytime highs but drops sharply at night. The north (Fes, Chefchaouen, Tangier) is cooler and can be rainy, with temperatures between 4–18°C. Bring layers everywhere. December is not beach weather, but it is very comfortable for sightseeing and desert tours.
What is Morocco like at Christmas?
Morocco does not celebrate Christmas — it is not a public holiday and you will not find decorated trees or carol concerts in the medinas. What you will find is a relaxed, functional country getting on with daily life, which for many travellers is the appeal. Tourist-facing riads and restaurants in Marrakech and Fes often organise festive dinners for guests. The absence of Christmas commercialisation makes it feel like a genuine escape. Markets, mosques, hammams, desert tours and cooking classes all run normally.
Is New Year in Marrakech worth it?
Absolutely, with caveats. Djemaa el-Fna square is spectacular on New Year's Eve — the square reaches peak spectacle with performers, food vendors and crowds — and rooftop bars and restaurants across the medina and Gueliz put on ticketed events. Prices for accommodation spike roughly 50–100% over the 30 December–2 January window, so book early. If you want the atmosphere without the crowds, arriving on 28 or 29 December and leaving on 1 January gives you the peak experience at lower cost.
What is the weather in the Sahara in December?
The Sahara around Merzouga in December sees daytime highs of 18–22°C — warm enough for a T-shirt during a camel ride — but nights fall sharply, often reaching 2–5°C and occasionally dipping below freezing. This is one of the most rewarding months to visit: the dunes are quiet, the light is extraordinarily clear, and sunrises over the Erg Chebbi are among the finest in the calendar year. Pack a warm sleeping layer and good boots for the evening chill.
Are there Christmas markets in Morocco?
Not in the European tradition. Some upscale hotels in Marrakech — particularly in Hivernage and the Palmeraie — organise Christmas-themed dining or small artisan pop-ups in December, but these are niche events aimed at international guests rather than widespread public markets. What Morocco does offer in December is its extraordinary year-round souks, which need no festive theme to be one of the world's great shopping experiences. The spice souks, leather markets and metalwork lanes of Marrakech and Fes are in full swing.
Is December a good time to visit Morocco?
December is genuinely one of the better months to visit, particularly for the south and the desert. Crowds are well below spring and autumn peaks, hotel prices (outside the 31 December bubble) are at annual lows, and the weather in Marrakech, Agadir and the Sahara is comfortable rather than the extreme heat of summer. The trade-off is cooler nights everywhere, rain risk in the north, and some mountain routes being snowbound. For a desert tour, Marrakech city break or coastal town exploration, December is excellent value.
What should I pack for Morocco in December?
Plan for layers. Daytime in Marrakech calls for light trousers and a shirt, but evenings need a fleece or light jacket. For the Sahara, add a proper warm layer and thermal base — desert nights are cold. The north (Fes, Chefchaouen) warrants a waterproof jacket. Everywhere, modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is respectful in medinas and religious sites. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for medina cobbles; waterproof ones earn their keep in the north.
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