Christmas in Morocco: Where to Find the Festivities!
Dreaming of a Christmas sprinkled with exotic spices and fewer snowflakes? Then you need to be in Morocco this Christmas!
Or if you’re after a white Christmas of a different kind, you can head to Moroccos Atlas Mountains. You’ll find breathtaking views and crisp winter air. A Moroccan Christmas is unforgettable!
Morocco is one of my favourite places in the world. The souks, the medinas, the riads, and even the scent of the air are all just a little magical and mysterious to me.
But I wondered what it looks like at that magical time of year, Christmas. With such a small percentage of Christians in the population, I questioned if it was an event at all.
This article is what I discovered. If you’ve had the same question, the short answer is, kind of. Christmas is here, but you have to look for it.
Below we’re going to look what, if any, significance the holiday has. Plus, we’ll find out the best places to be and things to do in Morocco at Christmas. Let’s go!
Christmas in Morocco: The Perfect Place to Celebrate?
Morocco is a majority Muslim country, so Christmas is not a public holiday. But, Morocco still has some great ways to enjoy the Christmas season.
With its ancient cities and stunning landscapes, Morocco can make your Christmas an extra-special one. In my experience, Morocco can make any time spent there incredible.
And whether you’re after a peaceful holiday or an adventure-filled one, this North African country won’t disappoint. See what Morocco has in store for you!
Can I Find in Christmas Around Morocco?
A Moroccan Christmas is a unique and culturally diverse experience. While it is not a major holiday in this predominantly Muslim country, the festive spirit of the season can be found if you look for it.
โค Hotel and Resort Celebrations:
Larger hotels and resorts that cater to international tourists might organize special Christmas events. These might include festive dinners, decorations, and even visits from Santa Claus.
โค Expat Gatherings:
Large cities with expatriate communities might organize gatherings and parties for the local Christian population. Urban centres like Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Rabat are examples.
โค Church Services:
In these cities you might also find churches that hold Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. These services cater to both expatriates and local Christians.
โค International Restaurants and Cafes:
International restaurants and cafes in larger cities might offer special Christmas-themed menus. Decorations might be hung, too, for tourists and expatriates looking for a taste of holiday cheer.
โค Private Celebrations:
Some Moroccan families have Christian members or those influenced by Western traditions. These families might have private gatherings at home to celebrate Christmas.
This is more likely in urban areas with greater exposure to Western culture.
Fun Fact : Merry Christmas in Morocco would be said in Arabic, ‘ุนูุฏ ู ููุงุฏ ู ุฌูุฏ’, or eid milad majid. This actually means glorious birthday.
And if you can’t imagine Christmas without an evergreen, don’t lose hope. You might be able to spot a Christmas tree or two, and even some decorations, if you’re in large city shopping malls.
What is a Moroccan Christmas Dinner Made Of?
Really, there is no Moroccan Christmas dinner as Moroccans themselves don’t celebrate Christmas. But as mentioned, it may be possible to find something resembling a traditional Christmas dinner in Morocco.
I highly recommend, though, that you take advantage of being in this beautiful and exotic country, and eat as the Moroccans do.
While the locals don’t traditionally celebrate Christmas, they know how to host a feast! Learn from them, and imagine a spread of spiced lamb, couscous, and tajine.
All flavoured with a medley of spices that will remind you that you’re in a whole new world. Finish off your meal with some sweet mint tea and honey-drizzled pastries.
Next year you can create one of these dishes for your Christmas meal at home, and you’ll instantly feel transported back to Morocco.
Where to Spend Christmas in Morocco
If you’re desperate for coloured lights and Christmas carols, your best chance of finding them are in the major cities. Casablanca, Marrakesh, Rabat, and even Fez and Agadir are good bets.
Rabat, especially, has a large international community. Here you’re most likely to find holiday celebrations by people who enjoy bringing traditions from their old home to their new one.
A White Christmas
In Morocco in December, you can start the day drinking mint tea outdoors in the medina. By afternoon you can be building snowmen and skiing in the mountains. All on the same day.
For some, Christmas means snow. If that’s you, you’re in luck. Snow at high elevations is not uncommon, and there are actually ski resorts in the Moroccan mountains.
Ifrane and Oukaรฏmeden, in the Atlas Mountains, are 2 great ski resorts to test out the slopes snow at.
The big months for snow here are January and February, but by Christmas time you should be able to build a pretty respectable snowman.
โท๏ธ Spend an epic day on the slopes in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. Everything’s included, even transport form your hotel – just enjoy! Learn more and book here.
A Sultry Christmas
But if you’d like to immerse yourself in Morocco and leave the snow at home, you’ll have plenty of opportunity.
Choose between the remarkable cities of Morocco:
โค Marrakech, with its souks that pulse with energy. There are several hotels and restaurants in Marrakech that offer special Christmas menus.
You can also visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the Majorelle Gardens, or the Djemaa el-Fna square to experience the city’s unique atmosphere.
๐ฒ๐ฆ Join a city tour and get to know Marrakech. Visit the best places in town to get a feel for this exotic place, and see if you can catch a glimpse of Christmas spirit! Find more info, and book here.
โค The serene desert beauty of Merzouga, located on the southeastern edge of the Sahara Desert. This strangely captivating desert village known for its sunrises and sunsets.
Called the entrance to the Erg Chebbi sand dunes, sand stretch as far as the eye can see. The colours of the dunes change as the sun moves across the sky, giving the area a definite mystical quality.
๐๏ธ Dive into adventure with a quad bike excursion in Merzouga. Steer your own ATV across the dunes, and even meet a local nomadic family. Learn more & book here!
โค Or the salty breeze of Essaouira’s ocean. Essaouira is a pretty town known for its blend of history, culture, and coastal beauty.
Its distinctive blue-and-white architecture, busy medina, and sunny beaches are addictive. If you decide on a December visit to the beach, think about a surf vacation.
A few days at surf camp or a stay at a beach resort that offers all the equipment you need to surf makes for an amazing holiday. And, the waves are best in Morocco in winter time.
๐๐ฝโโ๏ธ Up your surfing game while enjoying some of the best waves in the world at Atlanticzin Watersports, Essaouira. A spectacular way to spend Christmas on the Moroccan coast! Click to learn more and book.
โค If you are looking for a truly unique Christmas experience, spend your holiday in the Sahara Desert! You can go on a camel trek, stargaze, or have a traditional Berber dinner under the stars.
Camel rides are also a popular in way to enjoy the Erg Chebbi dunes. What a great story to tell of your Christmas with camels, travelling with namadic tribespeople.
๐ช Enjoy a 2 hour sunset camel ride from Merzouga, or soak up the Berber culture with an overnight camel trekking experience in the Erg Chebbi dunes!
A Moroccan New Year’s Eve ๐
Morocco shines on New Year’s Eve. The streets of cities like Marrakech and Casablanca light up with fireworks. Hotels, nightclubs, and restaurants host special New Year’s Eve events.
Jemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakech becomes a foodie’s paradise with all sorts of Moroccan delicacies. Locals and tourists alike can come together to count down to the new year with a festive spirit.
๐ Plan an amazing Moroccan New Year’s! Spend 7 days exploring Marrakech, sleeping in a Berber camp, and camel trekking – with an English-speaking driver. Find out more and book here.
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Moroccan Weather in December
December is winter in northern Africa, and layers are your friend. The weather in Morocco in December is mild and sunny. The average temperature in Marrakech is 20ยฐC (68ยฐF), with overnight lows down to 8ยฐC (46ยฐF).
The weather in the mountains is cooler, with an average daytime temperature of around 10ยฐC (50ยฐF). The desert can get cold at night, too, so be sure to pack some warmer layers.
Summing It Up: Christmas in Morocco
Morocco is a beautiful, exotic country with a rich culture and history. It is a great place to visit any time of year, but Christmas is a particularly special time.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional Christmas celebration or a more unique experience, you can’t go wrong with a holiday season in Morocco.
With the mild weather, stunning scenery, and decadent food, not to mention the gracious and hospitable people – what’s not to love?
Read more about exploring Africa:
โต Top African Movies: A Window into Another World
โต Amazing Ways to Volunteer with Elephants in Africa
โต Camping in Africa โ the 10 Best Tips and Tricks for 2023
โต Are There Bears in Africa? The Answer Might Surprise You!
