Holiday dreamers, have you ever imagined a holiday in a truly unique setting? How about a Christmas surrounded by fantastic sights and sounds? But wait, do they celebrate Christmas in Morocco? You might give some thought to spending holidays away from home, and thus missing out on some of the more familiar traditions.
What if you can’t find a Christmas tree or exchange gifts? Will the holiday spirit be lost in this predominantly Muslim country? Don’t let any of these questions deter you from a very special adventure. For Christmas in Morocco offers a mix of cultures you’re not going to get anywhere else.
While not an official holiday, many Moroccans embrace the festive season. You will find some surprising Christmas traditions in Morocco, be they twinkling lights in city centres, special holiday markets adding their flavour to the yuletide celebrations.
Imagine sipping mint tea instead of hot cocoa, exchanging gifts in a vibrant souk instead of around the fireplace. In this post, you will see Christmas come alive in Morocco. Here, you’ll be discovering original local customs and an expatriate celebration. We show you how to create your own magical Moroccan Christmas. Get ready to unwrap the gift of a truly special holiday experience!
Christmas Celebrations in Morocco
Christmas is celebrated even in Morocco among its small Christian community. Midnight masses are held in most Casablanca and Rabat cities at the churches. Local Moroccan music accompanies the service with traditional hymns in it. In general, feasting is done by the Christian families with a mixture of Moroccan and western dishes combined.
It also means that the expatriates bring home traditions to Morocco. Many throw Christmas parties and dinners in their homes or at international hotels. They import ornaments, and maybe even an artificial tree. A few ambitious expats seek out turkeys for the holiday meal, though perhaps they are paying a premium.
At this time around Christmas, in Morocco there is a very strange mixture of cultures; the luxury hotels and riads offer special dinners on Christmas Eve and New Year’s celebrations. Some tour companies offer holiday-themed tours like camel rides with Santa hats or set desert camps with Christmas decorations.
Fun fact: The oldest church in Morocco is St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rabat, built as long ago as 1921, and it still offers Christmas services.
Moroccan Christmas Traditions
Christmas traditions in Morocco are a blend of European and local flair. Normally, Christmas dinner is held in all the hotels and restaurants located within tourist areas. Instead of roast turkey, you get the bird cooked “tagine-style” with Moroccan spices. Sometimes, you find some beautiful lanterns and bright-colored fabrics as part of decorations on Christmas trees. Presents are exchanged in some families, but mainly it is an aspect of traditional Moroccan gifts like argan oil products or crafts.
The Moroccans have been rather imaginative in their own Christmas celebrations. At times, in some cities, Santa Claus goes around riding a camel instead of his sleigh. Christmas markets spring up in the urban areas selling traditional Christmas things with some handicrafts. Some Moroccan families have taken to baking Christmas cookies but usually make use of local ingredients like dates, almonds, and orange blossom water, making them pretty distinctively Moroccan.
Although Christmas is not really celebrated, Morocco has winter festivals that turn the city into a festive atmosphere-from Tan-Tan Mousam, a nomadic festival in December with colorfully decorative parades accompanied by music, to the almond blossom festival in February in Tafraoute, focusing on the natural beauty of the region and its products. Even though Christmas itself is not observed, such events are unique opportunities for tourists during that time of year to become familiar with aspects of Morocco’s varied cultural traditions.
Guess what? In the coastal city of Essaouira, there’s a unique tradition where locals create “Christmas sandmen” instead of snowmen. They decorate these sandmen with seashells and driftwood, making them look super festive!
Christmas Decorations, with a Moroccan Twist
Christmas decorations shopping in Morocco can be quite an adventure. Some of the biggest supermarkets in the larger cities carry a limited number of ornaments and some of the smaller, artificial trees. A wider variety is normally found in expat neighborhoods or international stores. On a smaller scale, some local artisans have started to produce some Christmas themed items to meet the rising demand. Don’t forget hotel gift shops for some unique decorations that often blend Moroccan and Western styles.
From Moroccan-themed Christmas decorations to celebrate festively, hand-painted glass baubles with ornate designs from Morocco, miniature tagines, and camels will definitely not go amiss. Other artisans make use of local produce like argan wood or colored fabrics in coming up with ornaments. This is really a special ornament on your Christmas tree, a nice memento of this holiday experience in Morocco.
Traditional Moroccan pieces can easily pass for festive Christmas decorations: Brightly colored Moroccan lanterns, placed onto the Christmas tree or placed around a room, add an airy touch to magic. Intense-red and green-colored Berber carpets make ideal tree skirts. Use brass tea trays to substitute for holding candles or ornaments, while tiled decorative items can serve as unique Christmas coasters. Perhaps take a tajine and turn it into something really special, like a nativity scene holder, for a real Moroccan Christmas fusion.
Christmas in Major Moroccan Cities
Christmas in Marrakech
Marrakech savors the festive spirit in its own special way. At this time of the year, the famous Djemaa el-Fna square is decorated with additional lights that bathe the performers in a vibrant glow of magic. Fancy riads and hotels often feature special Christmas Eve dinners that combine Moroccan and European foods. Some go as far as setting up Christmas markets in their courtyards, featuring local crafts alongside snacks for the holiday. Be sure to take a horse carriage ride through the lit Medina for a really beautiful Christmas experience.
Christmas in Casablanca
Since the biggest city in the country is Casablanca, it is culturally mixed; therefore, it would reflect even during Christmas. Morocco Mall has special Christmas displays, including a huge Christmas tree. Many restaurants and hotels in the Ain Diab area offer special holiday menus. The Christian community of Casablanca gathers at the Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral on Christmas Eve to attend beautiful midnight mass services. For something really different, visit the local markets to get some traditional Moroccan gifts with a twist for all your festivity.
Christmas in Rabat
Of the capital, Rabat combines old with news way of celebrating Christmas. The Sofitel Jardin des Roses hotel conducts the celebration with posh decorations and a big dinner. This city is home to a diplomatic area home to several embassies that mostly hold international Christmas events. Take an inside walk in the Kasbah of the Udaya where the traditional blue-and-white buildings light up for the holiday.
Christmas in Fes
Fes is the cultural capital of Morocco, and this city has a more subdued but still lovely Christmas. There are a few major celebrations, but being such an ancient city gives special magic to the holiday season.
Some riads in Medina give Christmas dinner deals. The ancient medina of Fez, Fes el Bali or Old Fes, is the perfect place for unique, handmade gifts, perfect for Christmas time. Together with old customs, it will be an unforgettable Christmas in Fes.
Fun fact: Marrakech local artists have only just begun designing “Christmas-themed henna,” with such classics as snowflakes and Christmas trees– all incorporated into the intricacies of Moroccan henna design.
Morocco, a land of rich culture and diverse landscapes, is the perfect destination for a memorable Christmas tour. From the bustling markets of Fes to the midnight mass in Casablanca, or the breathtaking sunset over the Sahara on Christmas Eve, these moments are unforgettable. Embrace the warm hospitality and immerse yourself in the local traditions. A Moroccan Christmas offers a fresh perspective on the holiday season.
