New Year in the Desert: Celebrating Under the Stars
Seeing in the New Year around a fire, under a sky packed with stars, surrounded by dunes: it is one of the most sought-after New Year’s Eves in Morocco. There are two very different ways to do it.
For New Year in the Moroccan desert, you have two choices: the great Sahara at Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes, 8-9 hours’ drive from Marrakech, 3-day tour from €86-118) or the Agafay Desert, a stony desert 45 minutes from Marrakech, with a dinner show from €14-20. In Merzouga, to sleep in camp on Thursday 31 December 2026, leave Marrakech on 30 December with a 3-day tour (the camp night falls on the second evening). Many camps host a festive dinner with music and a campfire, sometimes charged as an extra: ask before you pay. Nights are close to 0 °C, so insist on a heated tent or thick blankets. It is the busiest week of the winter in the desert: boutique camps are often full weeks in advance.
Plan your stay
The guides and experiences our readers book most for this destination.
Merzouga or Agafay for New Year’s Eve?
| Criterion | Merzouga (Erg Chebbi) | Agafay |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape | Tall orange sand dunes | Stony desert and hills, Atlas views |
| Distance from Marrakech | 8-9 hours’ drive | About 45 minutes |
| Recommended length | 3-day tour | Evening or 1 night |
| Indicative price | From €86-118 per tour | From €14-20 per evening |
| Best for | The Sahara dream | New Year without a long drive |
See the full comparison Agafay or Merzouga.
The Most-Booked Desert Experiences for New Year
| Experience | Rating | Reviews | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Marrakech: 3-Day Merzouga and Sahara Desert Tour | 4.9 | 22,297 | €118 |
| From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food | 4.7 | 14,481 | €104 |
| Desert Overnight in Heated Tent & Camel Ride (from Merzouga) | 4.8 | 267 | €62 |
| Agafay desert: quad, camel ride and dinner show | 4.8 | 36,771 | €20 |
| Agafay desert: sunset camel ride and dinner show | 4.6 | 37,612 | €14 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they may change.
See New Year desert tours· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Compare activities on ViatorYou will be redirected to our partner Viator.The Right Timing for New Year in Merzouga
- 30 December: leave Marrakech, Aït Ben Haddou, night in the Dadès valley.
- 31 December: Todra gorges, arrive in Merzouga in the afternoon, camel ride at sunset, New Year’s Eve in camp.
- 1 January: sunrise over the dunes, drive back to Marrakech (arriving in the evening).
1 January is a public holiday in Morocco, but tours run normally. See the 3-day tour, the best camps in Merzouga and the Agafay Desert.
Luxury Camp or Standard Camp?
For 31 December, a luxury camp (private tent with bathroom, bed and heating) is often worth the price difference: you will spend a long, cold night there. Standard camps are still fine with good blankets. If you prefer a hotel, kasbahs at the foot of the dunes also host parties. See a night in a desert camp.
See camps and kasbahs in Merzouga· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Compare flights and hotels on Trip.com· Trip.com
Prefer the city? See New Year in Marrakech, New Year in Morocco and Merzouga in December.
FAQ — New Year in the Desert
Where can I spend New Year in the desert in Morocco?
When should I leave Marrakech to be in the desert on 31 December?
Is the New Year’s Eve dinner included?
Is the desert cold on 31 December?
When should I book New Year in the desert?
In Short
- Merzouga for dunes, Agafay for proximity.
- Leave on the 30th to celebrate in camp.
- Heated tent and early booking.
