All the seasons are covered in our guide to the best time to visit Marrakech.
Marrakech weather in December: mild and sunny by day, cold at night. It averages 20.1 °C (68 °F) in the afternoon and 7.3 °C (45 °F) at night, with 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain. It is a good month for sightseeing, with caveats: cold evenings and strong demand over the festive season.
December attracts those who want sun before Christmas or a warm New Year. The weather suits it in the afternoon. The choice of accommodation and dates, however, makes all the difference: the first half of the month is quiet, while the end of the month is one of the most expensive periods of the year.
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Marrakech in December: key facts
- Verdict: ⚠️ mild by day, cold in the evening, in high demand over the festive season
- Temperatures: 20.1 °C (68 °F) in the afternoon, 7.3 °C (45 °F) at night
- Rain: 24 mm (0.9 in) on average, few rainy days
- Best part of the month: the first half, before the Christmas holidays
- Riad: check the heating before booking
- Festive season: book 2 to 4 months ahead
Marrakech weather in December: temperatures and rain
| Month | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 23.1 °C (74 °F) | 10.7 °C (51 °F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| December | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | 7.3 °C (45 °F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| January | 19.1 °C (66 °F) | 5.9 °C (43 °F) | 25 mm (1.0 in) |
The sun stays generous: even in winter, Marrakech gets more than 215 hours of sunshine a month according to NOAA’s 1981-2010 normals. The gap between day and night exceeds 12 °C (54 °F): you lunch on a terrace in a T-shirt and dine in a jacket. Snow covers the summits of the High Atlas and mountain roads can be disrupted.
Things to do in Marrakech in December
- City sightseeing: the medina, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs and Ben Youssef Madrasa, in good conditions in the afternoon.
- Gardens: Majorelle, the Secret Garden, the Menara, with a view of the snow-capped Atlas in clear weather.
- Skiing at Oukaïmeden: the resort, about 80 km (50 mi) from the city and at 2,620 m (8,596 ft) altitude, offers skiing from December to March when snow conditions allow; it has become irregular, so check before you go.
- Agafay: a good period, but a very cold night in camp: choose a heated camp.
- Hammam and spa: the best season to enjoy them.
Best avoided: swimming in an unheated pool and long evenings outdoors without a warm layer.
Christmas, New Year and events in December
The Marrakech International Film Festival is usually held in late November or early December. At the end of December, the festive season brings many European visitors: restaurants and 31 December parties need to be booked in advance. As Morocco is a Muslim country, Christmas is not a local holiday; the festive atmosphere is concentrated in hotels and tourist districts.
Crowds and prices in December
Two months in one: until the Christmas holidays, crowds are average; after that they become heavy and prices for riads and flights rise sharply. For the festive season, book 2 to 4 months ahead. For the first half of the month, a few weeks is generally enough.
What to pack for Marrakech in December
- A warm sweater, a jacket or a light down jacket
- A slightly smarter outfit for New Year’s Eve
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Valid passport (required): see the entry requirements for Morocco in our country guide
A typical day in Marrakech in December
The morning is cold: 7 °C (45 °F) on average at sunrise. Start with breakfast indoors or in the sun on the terrace, then set off sightseeing from 10 am, when the temperature rises.
From 11 am to 4 pm it is mild (around 20 °C (68 °F)): this is the ideal slot for palaces, gardens and walking in the medina. The sun sets early in December; by late afternoon the cool falls quickly.
In the evening, favour heated restaurants or riad interiors. A hammam at the end of the day is a good way to warm up.
Our tips for a successful stay in December
- Go in the first half of the month if your dates are free: same weather, far less demand.
- Book early for New Year’s Eve: restaurants and 31 December parties are often full.
- Check the heating in the riad and ask whether there are extra blankets.
- Get advice before heading into the Atlas: snow and disrupted roads are possible.
- Keep cash in dirhams for the souks and small restaurants.
Marrakech in December: who is it for?
December suits sunny city breaks, travellers who want to spend Christmas or New Year somewhere warm, and couples looking for a riad and a hammam. It suits less well travellers who want to enjoy a pool, or who handle cold evenings badly in poorly heated interiors. Photography fans will, however, enjoy the low, golden winter light at the end of the day and the view of the snowy Atlas summits from the terraces. If you travel with children during the Christmas holidays, book early and choose well-heated accommodation, with closed rooms rather than ones open to the patio.
For a fuller trip, Marrakech combines well in December with a night in the Agafay Desert or a getaway to Essaouira. Tours to the Merzouga desert are possible, but nights there are very cold and Atlas roads are sometimes disrupted by snow. Our guide to the Agafay Desert presents camps and access.
If December does not suit you
Marrakech in November is milder (23 °C (73 °F)) and quieter. January, after the festive season, offers the same sun with less demand. The weather in Marrakech in February is a little milder than December’s.
For more warmth in December: Egypt in December (24 °C (75 °F) in Luxor), Cape Verde (26 °C (79 °F) on Sal) or the Canary Islands. All our ideas: where to go in December.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Marrakech in December?
Mild in the afternoon (20.1 °C (68 °F) on average), cold at night (7.3 °C (45 °F)), with 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain over the month, according to the 1991-2020 normals for Marrakech-Ménara.
Is going to Marrakech for Christmas or New Year a good idea?
Yes for the sun. It is, however, a period of heavy crowds and high prices: book early and check that your riad is heated.
Is it warm enough for the pool in December?
No, unless the pool is heated: nights at 7 °C (45 °F) chill the water.
Does it snow in Marrakech in December?
Not in the city. Snow falls on the summits of the High Atlas, visible from Marrakech in clear weather.
What is the cheapest part of December?
The first half of the month, before the Christmas holidays.
Our sources
- NOAA (World Meteorological Organization data): 1991-2020 normals for the Marrakech-Ménara station (airport); sunshine: 1981-2010 normals (NOAA)
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Morocco (GOV.UK, updated 19 August 2026), read on 26 October 2026: entry and safety information
- Calendar and advice taken from our page the best time to visit Marrakech; our methodology
- Wikipedia, article « Oukaïmeden (ski resort) », consulted in October 2026 (taken from our best-time page)
Updated November 2026.