Family New Year's Eve in the Agafay Desert
What to know about spending New Year's Eve in the Agafay Desert with children — logistics, comfort, and what actually works for families.
Family New Year's Eve in the Agafay Desert
A lot of New Year's Eve programming in and around Marrakech is built with adults in mind — late dinners, midnight countdowns, bar service. If you're travelling with children, the Agafay Desert is one of the more genuinely family-workable ways to spend December 31st near Marrakech, mainly because of how short and manageable the logistics are compared to almost any other desert or overnight option in Morocco.
Why Agafay works for families specifically
At 30-45 minutes from central Marrakech, the drive out doesn't exhaust young children the way a longer transfer would, and the terrain itself — a rocky plateau rather than soft sand dunes — is easier to walk around safely with kids. The camel ride is gentle and guide-led, children typically ride seated with a guide rather than solo, and the wide open, enclosed camp setting means there's no traffic or crowd to worry about, unlike a city celebration. For many children, this may be the first time they've seen a genuinely dark, star-filled sky, which tends to land better than any fireworks display.
What to actually expect
Camps that run family-friendly evenings generally build the night around a sunset camel ride, a relaxed dinner, and fireside entertainment — live Berber or Gnawa music rather than anything loud or late-oriented. Whether a specific camp runs an earlier countdown aimed at younger children, a dedicated kids' menu, or family-configured tents varies by operator and by year, so it's worth asking directly what a given December 31st programme includes for children rather than assuming. What's consistent across most family bookings is that younger children can be settled into a tent well before the adult midnight countdown, while older children and parents stay up for the fire show and the toast.
Nights get cold — typically 8-14°C after dark in December — so warm layers matter for children even more than for adults, since they feel the cold faster sitting still around a fire. Closed shoes rather than sandals are worth packing given the rocky terrain, and a soft toy or comfort item is worth bringing for younger children if you're staying overnight.
What we offer
Our Agafay overnight glamping tour — a private en-suite tent, sunset camel ride, dinner, and a desert sunrise the next morning — is genuinely well-suited to families, and works for New Year's Eve with an elevated evening programme on the night itself. If a same-night return to Marrakech is more practical for your family, our evening sunset dinner and camel ride covers the same core experience without the overnight stay. Let us know the ages of everyone travelling when you get in touch so we can advise honestly on what will and won't work for your family on the night.
Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +212675203319 / +212668534981
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MerzougaWay Team
We are a passionate team of local guides dedicated to sharing the beauty and culture of our home, Morocco. Our journey began with a simple desire to offer authentic, memorable experiences that go beyond the typical tourist trails.
