Family New Year's Eve in Agafay Desert 2027

The Desert NYE That Includes Your Children

Every New Year's Eve programme in Agafay is built for adults. The dinners run until 2 AM, the countdowns happen at midnight, the fire shows are aimed at grown-ups around a cocktail table. If you are a family with children under 12, you are effectively excluded from the desert celebration everyone talks about.

We built this programme specifically for you.

Our Family New Year's Eve in the Agafay Desert runs a dedicated children's countdown at 10:00 PM — so younger children can celebrate, sleep in their tent, and wake up in the desert on New Year's morning. Older children and parents then continue to midnight. The entire evening is designed around families, with children's entertainment, a proper kids' menu, safe fireside seating, and family-sized tents with proper beds.

This is the only family-specific NYE programme in the Agafay Desert.

Why Agafay Is Perfect for Families

Close Enough, Wild Enough

At 30–45 minutes from Marrakech, Agafay is close enough that young children do not arrive exhausted. But once you pass through the camp gates, you are in a completely different world — open desert sky, firelight, camels, and absolute silence broken only by music and laughter.

Safe and Contained Environment

The camp is fully enclosed, lit, and staffed. Children cannot wander into traffic or crowds. The desert terrain is gentle (rocky plateau, not sand dunes), and all activities are guided.

The Night Sky

This may be the first time your children see the Milky Way clearly. December skies in Agafay are almost always cloudless. Our guide runs a 20-minute stargazing session for children, pointing out constellations by name in both French and Darija — something they will remember long after the fireworks fade.

A Real Cultural Experience

Agafay is not a theme park. The musicians are Gnawa masters from Marrakech. The food is what Moroccan families actually cook. The camel handlers are local Berber guides. Your children experience something genuinely Moroccan, not a tourist show.

Family Programme — December 31, 2026

Afternoon (Arrival & Activities)

| Time | Programme | |------|-----------| | 3:00 PM | Departure from Marrakech by private family vehicle | | 3:45 PM | Arrival at camp — welcome with mint tea, fresh juice, and Moroccan pastries | | 4:15 PM | Kids' activity: Berber pottery and henna introduction | | 4:30 PM | Family camel ride at sunset (all ages — children ride with guide) | | 5:15 PM | Sunset photography moment — Atlas Mountains backdrop | | 5:45 PM | Camp fire lit — storytelling session for children by Berber guide |

Evening (Dinner & Entertainment)

| Time | Programme | |------|-----------| | 6:30 PM | Children's dinner served (separate kids' menu) | | 7:30 PM | Family dinner begins (Moroccan gourmet menu) | | 8:30 PM | Live Gnawa music — gentle, traditional, family-friendly | | 9:00 PM | Kids' entertainment: magic show and lantern-making workshop | | 9:45 PM | Family lantern walk — each child releases their own lantern with a wish |

Kids' Countdown (10:00 PM)

A full New Year's countdown for younger children — complete with a 10-second countdown, sparklers, a special mocktail toast, and a small gift bag for each child. Children who want to sleep after this can go directly to the family tent.

Midnight Countdown (Parents + Older Children)

| Time | Programme | |------|-----------| | 10:30 PM | Adult entertainment continues: fire show, live music | | 11:30 PM | Stargazing session with guide | | 11:50 PM | Drum circle countdown begins | | 00:00 | Midnight — fireworks, champagne / sparkling juice toast | | 00:30 AM | Dancing and celebration | | 1:30 AM | Return to Marrakech (evening option) OR retire to family tent | | Jan 1 — 7:30 AM | Sunrise over Atlas (overnight guests) | | 8:30 AM | Family breakfast together — msemen, honey, fresh eggs, orange juice | | 11:00 AM | Return to Marrakech |

Children's Menu

We know children do not always eat tagine. Our kids' menu is designed to be familiar enough that children actually eat it, while still being genuinely Moroccan.

Starters

• Moroccan flatbread (msemen) with honey butter
• Fresh fruit skewers with mint
• Carrot sticks with hummus

Main Course (choice of one)

• Grilled chicken brochettes with cumin-spiced rice
• Pasta with mild Moroccan tomato sauce and cheese
• Vegetable couscous with mild broth

Dessert

• Moroccan pastry selection (chebakia, sesame cookies)
• Fresh orange with cinnamon
• Hot chocolate or fresh juice

All children's meals are nut-free by default. Allergen requests accommodated with 48h notice.

Activities for Children

Camel Ride (all ages) Children ride seated in front of a guide — completely safe and one of the most memorable moments of the evening. The camel handlers speak to children gently and explain desert life.

Lantern-Making Workshop Each child decorates their own paper lantern with paint and drawings. At 9:45 PM, the family walks to the open desert together and releases them — each with a wish for 2027.

Berber Storytelling Our local guide tells traditional Berber stories around the fire in French and Darija — myths about the Atlas Mountains, the stars, and desert life. Designed for children aged 4–12 but genuinely engaging for adults too.

Stargazing with a Guide A 20-minute guided session where children learn to identify Orion, the Pleiades, and the planets visible in December. Binoculars provided.

Kids' Countdown at 10PM A proper countdown with a 10-second announcement, sparklers (adult-supervised), and the children's mocktail toast. Every child receives a small gift bag.

Family Tents

Family tents are configured specifically for families — not just a double tent with a cot added.

What your family tent includes:

• 1 king-size bed (parents) + 2 single beds (children) — all proper beds, not floor mats
• Heating for cool desert nights (8–14°C in December)
• Private toilet (in-tent or directly adjacent, depending on camp)
• Warm blankets, pillows, and towels for all guests
• Night light inside tent for children
• Baby monitor available on request

Package Options & Pricing 2026/2027

Family Evening Package — Return to Marrakech

| | Price | |---|---| | Adult | 1,900 MAD per person | | Child 4–12 years | 900 MAD per person | | Child under 4 | Free |

Includes: private family transfer from Marrakech, all activities, camel ride, children's dinner, family dinner, all entertainment, kids' 10PM countdown, midnight countdown and fireworks, return transfer.

Family Overnight Package — Sleep in the Desert

| Option | Price | |---|---| | Family tent (2 adults + 2 children) | 8,500 MAD total | | Additional child | +800 MAD |

Includes: everything in Evening Package + overnight in family tent + traditional Moroccan breakfast + Jan 1 sunrise + checkout by 11:00 AM.

Private Family Group (6+ guests)

Contact us for bespoke pricing, reserved section of camp, and tailored children's programme.

Practical Information for Families

What to bring for children:

• Warm layers — desert nights are cool (8–14°C), children feel it more
• Comfortable walking shoes (not sandals — rocky terrain)
• Their favourite soft toy if they are sleeping overnight
• Any medications or special items (we have first aid on site)

Age suitability: The programme works well for children aged 3–14. Under 3 years, the schedule is flexible — contact us to discuss. Children 10+ generally enjoy the full midnight programme with parents.

Pushchairs/strollers: Not suitable for desert terrain. Babies and toddlers are best carried in a soft carrier.

Baby facilities: Warming facilities for bottles available. Changing area available in tents. Please notify us in advance.

How to Book

Email: hello@merzougaway.com WhatsApp: +212 675 203 319 / +212 668 534 981

Let us know the ages of all children when booking so we can prepare the right tent configuration and menus.

Deposit: 30% to confirm Balance due: December 15, 2026 Cancellation: Full refund until December 1. 50% refund until December 20.

Spaces are strictly limited — we cap family group numbers to ensure quality and attention for every child.

Related Programmes

• Main Agafay NYE 2027 — adults and mixed groups
• Halal NYE Agafay 2027 — premium alcohol-free celebration, also family-friendly
• 3-Day Marrakech + Agafay NYE Package — full stay from December 29 to January 1