Morocco with Kids in December | Weather and Crowds

Morocco with kids in December is a winter trip with bright skies and cold edges. Marrakech can feel mild at midday and cold after sunset. The Atlas can have snow. Agafay and Merzouga can be sunny in the afternoon and close to freezing at night. Essaouira is mild but windy. This guide covers the weather, the crowds and what is open.

Karim is not a parent. This guide combines his knowledge of Morocco with long term climate data and current holiday and booking information checked in October 2026. Read more about Karim. It is part of our food, water and health coverage.

Morocco with kids in December: the short answer

December at a glance

Place	Day	Night	What it means
Marrakech	About 19 C	About 6 C	Sunny midday, cold evening, some rain
Atlas and Ourika	About 20 C	About 7 C	Colder on high ground, snow possible
Agafay	15 to 22 C	5 to 10 C	Short drive, cold after sunset
Merzouga	16 to 20 C	3 to 7 C	Mild day, cold night, near freezing possible
Essaouira	About 20 C	About 14 C	Mild but windy, cold sea

These are long term averages, not a forecast. The pattern matters more than the exact number. The sun feels warm at lunch, and the shade and the night are cold.

What December actually feels like

Marrakech has about 10 hours of daylight and 7 hours of sun in December. The maximum UV index is 3. Rain is possible, with about 35 mm over 6 rain days. A rooftop lunch can feel like spring. A walk after dinner needs a warm layer. The medina lanes can be slippery when wet, and a riad courtyard can be cold because many are open to the sky.

The desert and the coast follow the table. Agafay is mild by day and cold at night. Merzouga has the biggest swing. Essaouira is mild but windy, with a cold Atlantic.

Crowds and prices

The first week is a quieter window. The last two weeks are one of the busiest periods of the year. December 15 to January 10 brings holiday crowds and prices close to the October and April peak. The rush thins after January 15.

Book the holiday week two to three months ahead if you can. A riad family room, a heated camp with a private bathroom, and a Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve dinner are the parts that are hardest to replace. If your dates are flexible, arrive before December 20 and leave before the New Year, or travel in the first week.

What is open on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

December 25 is not a public holiday in Morocco. Shops are open, schools are in session and offices work. There are no street decorations in most places. Hotels and restaurants that cater to international visitors may run a Christmas Eve dinner or a Christmas Day menu.

January 1 is a national holiday. Banks and government offices close. Shops, restaurants and tourist attractions generally stay open, but hours can change. Confirm the opening time for the specific place you want.

New Year’s Eve is the busy night. Hotels and riads run dinners, Jemaa el-Fna is packed, and the center is slow to clear after midnight. Book a family dinner and ask for the child rate, the start time and the cancellation terms.

Region by region

Marrakech

Marrakech is the easiest December base. The city is walkable at midday, the souks are partly covered, and there are indoor options when it rains. The trade off is the cold at night and the holiday crowds. Choose a riad or hotel with heating, not just air conditioning. Ask whether the pool is heated. For areas and property types, read where to stay in Marrakech with kids.

Marrakech family hotelsTrip.comCheck availability

Atlas and Ourika

The Ourika Valley is a day trip, not a winter mountain expedition. The valley floor can be mild while the high ground has snow. The walk to the first waterfall is the easy part. The upper trail is steeper and can be wet. Check the weather, the road and the driver. Read the Ourika Valley waterfall walk with kids guide.

Agafay

Agafay is the short desert option, about 45 minutes from Marrakech. In December the day is mild and the night is cold. A day trip with dinner is the easier family choice. The checked Agafay quad, camel and dinner activity excludes children under 4. The listing says activities depend on weather, and if the operator cancels you get a reschedule or a full refund.

If you want the overnight, confirm heating, blankets and the bathroom. Read Agafay vs Sahara with kids for the difference between the short desert and the tall dunes.

Merzouga

Merzouga is the Sahara with the tall dunes. The drive from Marrakech is long, so most families need at least three days. December is a good month for the day and a hard month for the night if the camp is not warm. Ask for heating, thick blankets and a private bathroom. Read Merzouga camps with private bathrooms for the camps we checked.

Essaouira

Essaouira is mild and windy. The day can be 20 C, the night 14 C, and the wind makes the shade feel colder. The Atlantic is cold, so a surf session needs a good wetsuit and a child who is comfortable in cold water. The beach is still good for a walk, and the medina is easier than in summer. Read Essaouira beach with a toddler for the water and tide rules.

Warm rooms, heated pools and hammams

Heating: Ask for a room heater, not just air conditioning. A riad courtyard can be cold, and a desert tent can lose heat quickly.
Pool: Ask whether the pool is heated and covered. A heated pool can make a resort work in December.
Hammam: A hammam is a warm indoor option on a cold or wet day. Confirm the age, privacy and parent rule.

Ask for the heating and pool answer in writing. A hotel that says it has heating may mean a small portable unit.

What to pack for December

Pack for two temperatures in one day.

Item	Why
Warm base layer	Cold mornings and nights
Fleece or light down	Rooftop dinner and desert night
Rain shell	December rain and wet medina lanes
Warm sleepwear and socks	Cold riad rooms and desert tents
Hat and gloves	Desert night and sunrise
Sunscreen and sunglasses	Bright middays and UV index 3
Swim kit	Only if the pool is heated
Car seat	A taxi does not carry one as standard

Keep the list small. One warm layer per person, a rain shell and warm sleepwear are enough for Marrakech. The desert night is the part that catches families out.

Health and weather disruption

Keep one flexible day in the plan. Rain can close a mountain road or cancel a desert activity. Snow can slow the Atlas route. Buy travel insurance that covers weather disruption, and do not force a long drive or a cold camp night if a child is unwell.

What to confirm before booking

Heating in the room, riad or tent, not just air conditioning.
Whether the pool is heated and covered.
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinner, start time and child rate.
Restaurant opening on December 25 and January 1.
Desert camp heating, bathroom, transfer and age rule.
Atlas road and snow conditions for the day.

Which December trip fits your child

Your family	Better fit	Why
Under 3	Marrakech or Essaouira	Short drives and a warm room
3 to 5	Marrakech, Agafay day trip, Ourika	Short outings and an easy return
6 to 10	Agafay or Merzouga with heating	The desert works if the camp is warm
11 and older	Merzouga, Atlas, surf in Essaouira	Longer days and more activity

FAQ

Is December a good time to visit Morocco with kids?

Yes, for Marrakech, the Atlas and the desert, if you plan for cold nights and the holiday peak. The first week is quieter. The last two weeks are busy. The coast is mild but windy.

How cold is Marrakech in December?

The average day is about 19 C and the average night about 6 C. It can be colder. The sun feels warm at midday, and the shade and the evening are cold.

Is the Sahara too cold for kids in December?

The day is mild and the night is cold. Merzouga nights can fall to 3 to 7 C, with colder nights near freezing. A heated camp with thick blankets works for many families. A basic camp does not.

Is Christmas a holiday in Morocco?

No. December 25 is a normal working day. Shops and schools are open. Hotels and restaurants may run Christmas Eve dinners for international visitors.

Are restaurants open on Christmas Day?

Many are. Some serve a set menu or close for a private event. Confirm the specific restaurant, the start time and the child rate.

The verdict

Start with the Marrakech stay guide if you have not chosen a base. If the desert is the reason for the trip, read the Agafay and Sahara comparison and the Merzouga camp guide before you book a camp.

Morocco with Kids in December: Weather, Crowds and What Is Open