Spend Christmas and New Year somewhere truly different. Morocco in late December means sunny days in Marrakech and Fes, snow on the High Atlas and a starry, silent night in the Sahara to welcome the new year. Our local team plans the whole holiday for you: private driver, handpicked riads and a desert camp with a festive dinner on 31 December.
Why spend the holidays in Morocco
- Sun in winterClear blue skies and around 18–20°C by day in Marrakech, Fes and the south.
- New Year in the dunesCamel ride at sunset, campfire, Berber drums and a sky full of stars in Merzouga.
- Short flight from EuropeAbout 3 to 4 hours from most European capitals, with no long-haul jet lag.
- Festive but authenticRiads serve Christmas dinners while daily life in the medinas carries on as usual.
Christmas & New Year itineraries 2026/2027
Each itinerary is private, starts on the date shown and includes your driver, accommodation with breakfast and dinner, and a night in a desert camp on 31 December. Every route can be shortened, extended or started from another city.
12 days: 26 December – 6 January
The complete Morocco loop: Marrakech, the Sahara, Fes, Chefchaouen and the Atlantic coast.
- 26 DecArrival in Marrakech or Casablanca and transfer to your riad
- 27 DecMeet your driver, guided half-day in Marrakech
- 28 DecFree day in Marrakech: souks, gardens and palaces
- 29 DecHigh Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley
- 30 DecTodra Gorge, Rissani and Merzouga
- 31 DecDay in the dunes and New Year's Eve in the desert camp
- 1 JanZiz Valley, Azrou cedar forest, Ifrane and Fes
- 2 JanGuided visit of the Fes medina
- 3 JanFes to Chefchaouen, the blue city
- 4 JanChefchaouen to Rabat
- 5 JanRabat, Casablanca and Marrakech
- 6 JanDeparture from Casablanca, Marrakech or Fes
8 days: 29 December – 5 January
The Sahara over New Year, then the imperial cities of Fes and Rabat.
- 29 DecMarrakech, High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Valley
- 30 DecTodra Gorge, Rissani and Merzouga
- 31 DecDay in the dunes and New Year's Eve in the desert
- 1 JanZiz Valley, Azrou, Ifrane and Fes
- 2 JanGuided visit of Fes
- 3 JanFes to Chefchaouen
- 4 JanChefchaouen to Rabat
- 5 JanRabat, Casablanca and Marrakech
6 days: 29 December – 3 January
Marrakech to Fes through the desert, ideal if you fly home from Fes.
- 29 DecMarrakech to the Dades Valley via Ait Ben Haddou
- 30 DecTodra Gorge, Rissani and Merzouga
- 31 DecDay in the dunes and New Year's Eve in the desert
- 1 JanZiz Valley, Azrou, Ifrane and Fes
- 2 JanGuided visit of Fes
- 3 JanTransfer to Fes airport
4 days: 29 December – 1 January
A short escape to welcome the new year in the Sahara.
- 29 DecMarrakech to the Dades Valley via Ait Ben Haddou
- 30 DecTodra Gorge, Rissani and Merzouga
- 31 DecDay in the dunes and New Year's Eve in the desert
- 1 JanMerzouga to Fes, or back to Marrakech
New Year's Eve in the Sahara
On 31 December you ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes as the sun goes down and arrive at your camp in time for a festive dinner: Berber bread baked in the sand, a slow-cooked tagine, mint tea and Moroccan pastries. After dinner the camp gathers around the fire with drums and music to count down to midnight under one of the clearest skies on earth. Luxury camps add heated tents with private bathrooms for a more comfortable night.
Christmas and New Year in the cities
Morocco is a Muslim country, but Christmas is easy to enjoy. Many riads and hotels in Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira serve a Christmas dinner, and Catholic churches in Marrakech, Fes, Rabat and Casablanca hold Christmas Mass. For New Year's Eve, Marrakech and Agadir offer gala dinners, rooftop parties and concerts if you prefer the city to the desert.
Holiday tours you can book online
Prefer a ready-made trip? These private tours fit perfectly around Christmas and New Year and can start on any date.
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Private tour · 3 days · from Marrakech3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
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Private tour · 3 days · from Marrakech3-Day Tour from Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara
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Private tour · 6 days6-Day Tour from Marrakech: Sahara, Fes & Casablanca
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Private tour · 8 days · from Casablanca8-Day Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour from Casablanca
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Private tour · 8 days · from Marrakech8-Day Tour from Marrakech to Tangier via the Sahara
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Private tour · 12 days · from Marrakech12 Day Morocco Tour from Marrakech: Coast, Sahara, Mountains and Imperial Cities
Weather at Christmas and New Year
- Marrakech & FesSunny, 18–20°C by day; nights close to freezing.
- The SaharaPleasant 20°C afternoons; very cold nights around 0°C.
- High AtlasSnow on the passes, which may close for a few hours.
- Agadir & the coastMild and sunny, around 20–22°C.
Tips for a festive trip
- Book early. The last week of December is the busiest of the year; the best riads and desert camps are often full by October.
- Pack warm layers. A down jacket, hat and gloves make desert and mountain evenings comfortable.
- Expect peak rates. Hotels and camps charge holiday prices and may require a minimum stay over 31 December.
- Allow time on the road. Snow can slow the Tizi n'Tichka pass, so your driver may adjust timings.
Want your own dates, a luxury desert camp or a family-friendly pace? Ask us for a tailor-made holiday and we will send you a free itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morocco busy at Christmas and New Year?
Yes, especially Marrakech and the desert camps between 28 December and 2 January. Book as early as you can.
Is there a special New Year's Eve dinner in the desert?
Yes. Our partner camps prepare a festive dinner with music and a campfire. We confirm the menu when you book.
Is it too cold to sleep in the desert in December?
Nights are cold, but tents have thick blankets and luxury camps offer heating. Bring warm clothes for the evening.
Can we celebrate Christmas Day in Marrakech?
Yes. Many riads organise a Christmas dinner, and we can reserve a table or a Mass time for you.
Are prices higher over the holidays?
Accommodation is more expensive at this time of year. Our tour prices show the total for your dates before you book.