Christmas New Year Marrakech

Christmas is not a public holiday in Morocco, so the souks stay open as usual on December 25, and on January 1 most shops in the Medina open too, just a little later in the morning. Expect sunny days around 19°C, cold nights, busy riads, and some of the best shopping weather of the year.

Every December, someone messages us asking if Marrakech "does Christmas." The honest answer: the donkeys carrying gas bottles through the Medina have not heard of Santa, and the spice sellers will greet you on December 25 exactly like any other Tuesday. But between the sunshine, the riads with their fireplaces lit, the rooftop dinners and the souks full of perfect gifts, a lot of travelers tell us it was their favorite Christmas ever. No snow in the city, but you can see it on the Atlas Mountains from your rooftop, which is the best kind of snow: the kind you don't have to shovel.

Our tours are recommended by travel writer Rick Steves and featured by Daniel Jacobs in The Rough Guide to Morocco, and after more than 20 years in the Medina, we know how to make the holiday season easy, even when the souks are at their busiest. To book your holiday tour, contact us on WhatsApp at +212 614 905 398. The last two weeks of December fill up fast, so message us early.

Choose your tour:

• Marrakech Shopping Tour: find your Christmas gifts in the souks with a local insider, at fair prices

• Rug Shopping Tour: the ultimate holiday gift to yourself, with expert advice and shipping help

• Argan Oil Shopping Tour: real argan oil from our certified lab partner, a perfect gift to carry home

• Medina Walking Tour: history and hidden corners of the old city in the winter sunshine

Is Christmas Celebrated in Marrakech?

Not officially. Morocco is a Muslim country, and December 25 is a normal working day. Schools, shops, banks and souks are all open.

That said, you will still feel a little Christmas spirit:

• Many hotels and riads put up decorations and serve a special Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner

• Big hotels in Hivernage and the Palmeraie often organize festive menus and live music

• The Catholic church in Gueliz, the Église des Saints Martyrs, holds Christmas services

• Moroccans are very welcoming, and many will happily wish you a merry Christmas

If you want a calm, sunny Christmas without the stress of shopping malls at home, Marrakech is a great choice.

Are the Souks Open on Christmas Day and New Year's Day?

Yes. On Christmas Day, the souks are completely normal, with most shops open from around 9 or 10 in the morning until the evening.

January 1 is a public holiday in Morocco. Banks and government offices close, but most shops in the Medina still open, often a bit later in the morning after a long night.

Two other January dates to know:

• January 11: Independence Manifesto Day, a public holiday. Banks close, but the souks are mostly open.

• January 14: Amazigh New Year (Yennayer), a public holiday since 2024. Again, the souks are mostly open.

For exact hours, read our guide to the opening and closing times of the Marrakech souks.

What Is the Weather Like in Marrakech in December and January?

Sunny and mild during the day, cold at night. This surprises a lot of visitors.

• Daytime: around 18 to 20°C, often with clear blue skies

• Night: around 5 to 7°C, and it can feel colder in the Medina

• Rain: a few rainy days are possible, but usually short

• The Atlas Mountains: often covered in snow, visible from rooftops on clear days

Riads can be chilly inside because they are built to stay cool in summer. Bring a warm sweater, a light jacket and warm socks for the evenings. Most good riads have heaters, blankets or a fireplace.

The good news for shoppers: December and January are among the most comfortable months to walk the souks. No summer heat, no rushing between shady spots.

Is Marrakech Busy Over Christmas and New Year?

Very. The period from about December 20 to January 5 is one of the busiest of the year, especially with travelers from the UK and the rest of Europe.

What this means for you:

• Riads and hotels: book as early as possible, the best ones sell out

• Flights: prices go up quickly from November

• Restaurants: reserve Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners in advance

• Guides: popular guides get fully booked, so message us early on WhatsApp

• The souks: busier than usual, especially in the afternoon

Our tip: shop in the morning, between about 10am and 1pm. The alleys are calmer, artisans have more time to talk, and you get first pick of the best pieces.

How to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Marrakech

New Year's Eve in Marrakech is more about a great dinner and a beautiful setting than a huge street party. Popular options:

• Hotel gala dinners: big hotels organize New Year's Eve dinners with music and shows. Book early, they sell out.

• Rooftop restaurants: a dinner overlooking the Medina rooftops and the Koutoubia is hard to beat

• Your riad: many riads prepare a special dinner for their guests, which is often the most relaxed and personal option

• Jemaa el-Fna: the square is lively every night of the year, with food stalls, musicians and storytellers

Alcohol is only served in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants, so check with your venue before booking.

On January 1, take it easy: a late breakfast on a sunny terrace, a hammam, then a gentle walk or shopping tour in the afternoon.

What Are the Best Christmas Gifts to Buy in Marrakech?

Marrakech is one of the best places in the world to do your Christmas shopping. Gifts that travel well and always make people happy:

• Argan oil: cosmetic for skin and hair, culinary for food lovers. Buy it from a certified source, not a market stall.

• Babouches: leather slippers in every color, for the whole family

• Spices: ras el hanout, cumin and real saffron, beautifully packed

• Moroccan lanterns: brass and metal lanterns that light up a room

• Ceramics: small bowls, plates and tagines from Safi and Fes

• Silver jewelry: Berber designs, light and easy to pack

• Scarves and textiles: warm wool or cactus silk scarves, perfect for winter

• Moroccan rugs: the big one. A rug is the gift most of our clients dream about.

One important tip for rugs: if you ship a rug in late December, it will not arrive before Christmas. Plan it as a gift for yourself, or buy smaller pieces you can carry in your suitcase.

For more ideas, read our guide to products worth buying, and learn how to avoid overpaying in the souks.

Why Book a Holiday Shopping Tour in Marrakech?

Because the souks are busier at Christmas, it is the easiest time of year to get lost, pay too much or end up with the wrong thing. A shopping tour with a local insider solves all of that.

With us, you:

• Go straight to trusted artisans and workshops, without wasting hours in crowded alleys

• Learn what each gift is really worth and bargain with confidence

• Shop only if you want to, with no pressure at all

• Get help with packing and shipping for bigger pieces

• Stop for a mint tea on a quiet terrace when the souks get busy

Our tours last about 3 to 4 hours and start from 250 MAD per person in a small group, or from 900 MAD for a private tour for your family. Hotel and riad pickup can be arranged, and during the holidays we can often organize a last-minute tour with a guide meeting you in the Medina within one hour.

Looking for something more exclusive? Private luxury and VIP shopping is available on request through WhatsApp.

What Else to Do in Marrakech Over the Holidays

The winter sunshine makes December and January perfect for exploring:

• A Medina walking tour: discover the history, hidden fondouks and local neighborhoods without the summer heat

• Jardin Majorelle: stunning in the soft winter light, go early to avoid the crowds

• A day trip to the Atlas Mountains: see the snow up close and have lunch in a Berber village

• A hammam: the perfect way to warm up after a cool evening

• A rooftop sunset: watch the light turn the Medina red with a mint tea in hand

See our complete local guide to things to do in Marrakech, or build your own day with a tailor-made tour.

Practical Tips for Christmas and New Year in Marrakech

• Book early: riads, restaurants and guides fill up from November

• Pack layers: sunny days, cold nights, chilly riad rooms

• Carry small cash in dirhams: many souk shops do not take cards, and ATMs near Jemaa el-Fna get busy on holidays

• Shop in the morning: calmer souks and better choice

• Plan around public holidays: banks close on January 1, 11 and 14

• Don't count on rug shipping before Christmas: carry small gifts, ship the big ones for later

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marrakech a good place to spend Christmas?

Yes. You get sunshine, beautiful riads, great food, festive dinners in many hotels and some of the best shopping in the world, without the stress of the holiday rush at home.

Are shops open on Christmas Day in Marrakech?

Yes. December 25 is a normal working day in Morocco, and the souks are fully open.

Are the souks open on New Year's Day?

Mostly yes. January 1 is a public holiday and banks are closed, but most Medina shops open, usually a little later than normal.

Is it cold in Marrakech at Christmas?

The days are mild and sunny, around 18 to 20°C, but nights drop to about 5 to 7°C. Bring warm layers for the evening.

Do I need to book a tour in advance for the holidays?

It is strongly recommended. The last two weeks of December are very busy. Message us on WhatsApp as early as you can, though we can sometimes arrange last-minute tours too.

Can I ship a rug home in time for Christmas?

Usually not if you buy it in late December. International shipping takes time, so treat it as a gift for the new year.

Spend Your Holidays the Marrakech Way

Sunshine instead of slush, mint tea instead of mulled wine, and gifts with real stories behind them. Whether you come for a sunny Christmas, a memorable New Year's Eve or both, we will help you make the most of it.

Book your holiday tour on WhatsApp or use our booking form.

More answers in our Marrakech travel FAQ.

Discover our full range of authentic Marrakech tours on our Visit Marrakech Medina homepage.