Many Europeans come to Morocco in December for one reason: sunshine. Few expect to find, on top of it, a contemporary art biennale, a jazz festival and a town that feels both festive and calm. Essaouira in December offers all of that in 2026 — with mild afternoons, long walks on the beach and evenings by a fire on a riad rooftop.
Weather in Essaouira in December
- Afternoons are often around 18–20 °C in the sun; nights drop to about 9–12 °C.
- Sunshine dominates, but some days bring Atlantic showers.
- The wind is generally light — the calm season on this coast.
- The sea is around 17–18 °C: bracing for a swim, perfect for surfers in wetsuits.
One important tip: traditional riads are built for summer, and some rooms are cool at night. Ask whether your riad has heating, and pack a warm jumper. For the full picture month by month, see our best time to visit Essaouira.
Events in Essaouira in December 2026
- From 10 December 2026 to 10 January 2027: the sixth Casablanca International Biennale moves to Essaouira, with more than eighty artists in venues across town — read our guide to the Casablanca Biennale in Essaouira.
- Late December: Jazz sous l'Arganier, an intimate jazz festival between Christmas and New Year; local agendas list 26–28 December (to be confirmed). See our Jazz sous l'Arganier 2026 guide.
- 24–25 December: Christmas is not a public holiday in Morocco, but Essaouira welcomes many European families and some restaurants and hotels prepare special menus.
- 31 December: New Year's Eve — dinners, rooftop parties and a walk on the ramparts. Read New Year's Eve in Essaouira.
- All month: winter concerts and talks at Dar Souiri.
Jazz in Essaouira: why December sounds different
Jazz has deep roots in Essaouira, thanks to decades of encounters between jazz musicians and Gnawa masters. Our article on Gnawa jazz tells that story, and our overview of jazz festivals in Morocco puts Jazz sous l'Arganier in context. In December, concerts are small, warm and often end with late-night jam sessions.
Things to do in Essaouira in December
- Gallery-hop through the biennale venues and the town's art galleries.
- Walk the beach to Diabat at low tide, or ride a horse along the sand — see horse riding in Essaouira.
- Eat at the port grills at lunchtime, when the sun is warmest.
- Spend a day outside town: our full-day private excursion combines Sidi Kaouki, the argan country and a Berber market.
- Warm up in a hammam at the end of the afternoon.
Christmas and New Year: practical tips
- Book your New Year's Eve dinner early. The best restaurants and rooftops are fully booked weeks ahead, often with set menus.
- Plan your transfers around the holidays. The 24th, the 31st and the first days of January are busy on the roads and at the airports; book arrival and departure as soon as your flights are confirmed.
- Think about the way home after midnight. If you are staying in Diabat, Ghazoua or Sidi Kaouki, book a driver to bring you back after the celebrations — petits taxis are rare at that hour.
- Expect a calm New Year's Day. Many shops open late on 1 January; it is a perfect day for a long walk on the beach.
What to pack in December
A warm sweater and a windproof jacket, a scarf, comfortable shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen for the bright afternoons, and something warm to sleep in if your riad has no heating. Surfers will want a 4/3 mm wetsuit.
Prices and crowds in December
The first half of the month is quiet and inexpensive. From about 20 December until early January, Essaouira enters its winter high season: riads fill up with families and groups, prices rise and the best tables for New Year's Eve are booked weeks in advance. If you travel between Christmas and New Year, book your accommodation and your transfers early.
Getting to Essaouira in December
- From Marrakech: our Marrakech to Essaouira transfer takes about 2 h 30 and costs from €90 per vehicle for up to three passengers, €120 in a van for four to seven and €170 in a minibus, at the time of writing.
- By plane: our Essaouira airport transfer takes about twenty minutes, from €20 per vehicle.
- Going back after New Year: the Essaouira to Marrakech transfer — book it in advance, as 1 and 2 January are very busy travel days.
After the last jazz concert, the medina is quiet and dark. If you are staying outside the walls, book a driver for the return trip — our guide to getting to Essaouira for a festival explains how it works.
Essaouira in December is winter sun with a soundtrack. Contact us with your dates and we will organise the road.
