New Year's Eve in Marrakech: How to Get It Right
Afternoon sunshine, starry nights and a three-hour flight from most European capitals: Marrakech is one of the most sought-after places to see in the new year. It is also the most expensive and most fully booked week of the year. Here are the three main ways to celebrate on December 31, what they cost and when to book.
For New Year's Eve in Marrakech, three options stand out: the gala dinner at your hotel or riad, a party at a camp in the Agafay desert 40 minutes from the city, or a night in the Merzouga dunes on a 3-day tour leaving on December 30. Many hotels and riads require a compulsory gala dinner and a minimum stay on December 31, often three nights: read the conditions before booking. The weather is ideal by day (around 18 to 20°C) but nights are cold, around 5°C in the city and close to 0°C in the desert. Book from October: the last week of December is the busiest of the year for both flights and accommodation. January 1 is a public holiday, and some monuments may be closed.
New Year's Eve Options Compared
| Option | Distance | Atmosphere | Budget | When to book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gala dinner at your hotel or riad | On site | Festive menu, live music, dressy | €€ to €€€ | From October |
| Restaurant or club (Hivernage, Gueliz) | 10-15 min by taxi | DJ, dance floor | €€ | 4 to 6 weeks ahead |
| Party at an Agafay camp | 40 min | Campfire, music, stars | €€ (special Dec 31 rate) | 4 to 6 weeks ahead |
| Night in the Merzouga dunes (3-day tour) | 2 days of driving | Desert camp, silence, stars | Tour from €118 outside the holiday period | From October |
December 31 rates are often higher than the rest of the year: always check the price for your exact date.
Option 1: the Gala Dinner at Your Hotel or Riad
This is the simplest option: you dine where you sleep, with no taxi to hunt for at midnight. The big hotels in Hivernage and the Palmeraie put on full parties with a band and a show; medina riads tend to offer a refined Moroccan dinner in the courtyard or on the rooftop. Beware: the December 31 dinner is very often compulsory and charged as a supplement, even if you had planned to go out. To pick your neighbourhood, see where to stay in Marrakech and our selection of the best riads in Marrakech.
See hotels and riads available for New Year· Booking.com
Compare prices on Agoda· Agoda
Option 2: New Year's Eve in the Agafay Desert
Forty minutes from the city, the Agafay camps turn the desert plateau into a party venue: dinner under a tent, a campfire, Gnaoua music and a starry sky far from the city lights. It is the best balance between getting away and easy logistics: you can head back to Marrakech to sleep or spend the night in a tent on site. All packages in detail in our guide to quad biking and evenings in Agafay.
See evenings in the Agafay desert· GetYourGuide
Option 3: Seeing In the New Year in the Sahara Dunes
For a truly unforgettable New Year's Eve, leave on December 30 on a 3-day tour: the first night in the Dades or Todra valley, the second night, December 31, at a desert camp at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes, and back to Marrakech on January 1. No dance floor, but the silence of the desert and one of the finest starry skies in the country. The itinerary is detailed in our guide to the 3-day desert tour, and choosing a camp in the best desert camps in Merzouga.
Book a desert tour for December 31· GetYourGuide
What About Jemaa el-Fna on the 31st?
The main square is as lively as every evening, with its grill stalls, musicians and an even bigger crowd than usual. It is a great early-evening stop, but the big midnight parties mostly take place in hotels, restaurants and camps. Keep your belongings close in the crowd.
Weather and Packing for New Year
In late December, Marrakech enjoys sunny days around 18 to 20°C, but the temperature drops quickly after sunset, to around 5 to 6°C at night. In the desert, nights approach 0°C: camps provide blankets, but a light down jacket, a hat and warm socks make all the difference. Our full list: what to pack for Morocco.
January 1 and the January Public Holidays
January 1 is a public holiday in Morocco: banks and government offices are closed, and some monuments run by the Ministry of Culture may be too. Plan a quiet day instead, a hammam or a day trip from Marrakech. January has two more public holidays: January 11 (Proclamation of Independence) and January 14, Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year, a public holiday since 2024 and celebrated with meals and festivities in Atlas villages.
FAQ — New Year's Eve in Marrakech
When should I book for New Year's Eve in Marrakech?
Is the December 31 dinner compulsory in Marrakech hotels?
What is the weather like in Marrakech at New Year?
Can you spend New Year's Eve in the desert from Marrakech?
Are Marrakech monuments open on January 1?
In Short
For a great New Year's Eve in Marrakech:
- Simplicity and comfort → a gala dinner at your hotel or riad.
- A party under the stars → an evening at an Agafay camp.
- A once-in-a-lifetime memory → a night in the Merzouga dunes, leaving December 30.
To plan the rest of your trip, see also Morocco in December, Morocco in January and Morocco in winter.
