The dates below apply to the 2026-2027 festive season and were checked at the end of October 2026.
Jazz sous l'Arganier, 26 to 28 December
The Jazz sous l'Arganier festival holds its 10th edition from 26 to 28 December 2026 at Dar Souiri, the medina's cultural centre. At the end of October, the programme had not yet been published: watch the festival's announcements if you plan to arrive for these dates.
The town's other major festivals fall at other times of the year; Les Andalousies Atlantiques, for example, runs from 29 to 31 October 2026.
New Year's Eve on 31 December
As of late October 2026, no public celebration or fireworks have been announced in Essaouira for New Year's Eve. The evening is spent in hotels and restaurants, which hold special dinners; their menus and prices are usually published only in December. Book your table and your room in advance, especially if you are also coming for the festival.
Among the town's hotels, the Hotel Le Golf d'Essaouira & Spa, formerly the Sofitel, stands by the golf course, south of the town.
Hotel Le Golf d'Essaouira & Spa
A 5-star hotel of villas and suites, all with a terrace overlooking the golf course, a minibar and satellite TV, with butler service. It has 2 swimming pools, a spa with a hammam, a gym and 3 restaurants. Parking is free.
Guests particularly appreciate the Wi-Fi, the location and the staff's welcome. Comfort and cleanliness receive average scores. Facilities and value for money are the lowest-rated points.
Villa Maroc is in the medina.
Villa Maroc Essaouira
A riad with traditionally styled rooms, some with sea views and a separate sitting room. A Moroccan breakfast is served in your room or on the terrace, and dinner by the fireplace. It has an oriental spa and offers an airport shuttle.
Guests above all praise the location in the heart of the medina and the staff's welcome. Cleanliness and comfort are also very well rated. Value for money is the lowest-rated point.
For dinner in town, see our selection of the best restaurants in Essaouira.
Three days in Essaouira between Christmas and New Year
Day one, the medina. Start with the medina of Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: its lanes of white houses with blue shutters, its souks selling spices, argan oil and thuya wood objects. Go by the harbour Sqala, facing the ocean, then on to the fishing port and its blue boats.
Day two, the ramparts and the port. Follow the ramparts to the Sqala of the Kasbah and its cannons lined up facing the sea. At lunchtime, eat grilled seafood at the port, choosing your fish from the stalls. In the afternoon, take a horse or camel ride on the beach, or go to the hammam.
Day three, 31 December. Keep the morning for the medina and its art galleries, particularly in the former Jewish quarter, the Mellah, then save the evening for the New Year's Eve dinner.
For more ideas, see our guide to things to do in Essaouira.
Public holidays and climate
31 December is an ordinary working day in Morocco, but 1 January is a public holiday, as are 11 January (Independence Manifesto) and 14 January, the Amazigh New Year, which became a national public holiday in 2023. On these days, government offices and banks are closed.
In December, evenings are cool on the Atlantic coast: pack warm clothes (see when to go to Essaouira).
Getting to Essaouira for the festive season
This winter, Essaouira-Mogador airport has direct flights from Ryanair (from Brussels-Charleroi, London-Stansted, Düsseldorf-Weeze and Marseille), easyJet (Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes) and Transavia (Paris-Orly), as well as Royal Air Maroc from Casablanca; frequencies vary from week to week. From Marrakech, Supratours and CTM buses take about three hours and cost around 100 to 125 dirhams.
Practical information
- Jazz sous l'Arganier: 26 to 28 December 2026, Dar Souiri.
- New Year's Eve: dinners in hotels and restaurants, to be booked; no public celebration announced.
- Public holidays: 1, 11 and 14 January; 31 December is not a public holiday.
- From Marrakech: Supratours or CTM bus, about 3 hours.
