It’s the most wonderful time of the year! celebrating Christmas in Morocco is a magical experience with its unique traditions and festive atmosphere. From markets to cafes filled with music performances and delectable treats, this vibrant North African country embraces a holiday season like no other. Whether you’re exploring Marrakech’s traditional alleyways or admiring Fes’ iconic monuments, one thing remains certain: when it comes to celebrating Christmas in Morocco there’s plenty of cheer for everyone.
celebrating Christmas in Morocco, like much of the Islamic world, is celebrated differently from what we know in the Western world. Traditional Moroccan celebrations go back centuries before Islam and are not the same as modern Christmas traditions that have been adopted in some Muslim countries today.
Before Islam was introduced to Morocco, there were numerous festivals and rituals practiced by locals that would later be adapted into Islamic holidays such as Eid al Adha or Mawlid En Nabi. One of these traditional customs is known as “Lfkara” which translates to “sending off winter” and celebrates new growth after a long hard winter season.
It usually involves singing around a bonfire, people dress up for it wearing their best clothes while exchanging gifts between friends and family members to symbolize good luck for everyone involved.
Despite this festival having little relevance with Christmas nowadays, it serves as an example of how pre-Islamic festivities formed a large part of Moroccan culture prior to its adoption of Islam during 7th century AD onwards.
Although many Moroccans do not celebrate Christmas due to its religious background being rooted within Christianity instead of Islam (the most prominent faith practiced by majority), they have still incorporated some aspects from other Christian holidays into their own celebrations following an adaptation process over time through various cultural dialogues with other neighboring nations who practice particular forms of Christianity themselves such as Spain & Portugal – whose influences can still be felt even today throughout region’s architecture & cuisine among other things!
This has resulted in something called New Year’s Eve (Lailat Al Milad) which is observed each year on December 31st according to local calendars.
The Christmas holiday period is a wonderful time to visit Morocco. There are some amazing attractions to experience and explore. Here are three of the most popular attractions around the Christmas holiday period in Morocco:
This beautiful old city offers an array of different sights and sounds from its ancient souk markets, colorful Jemaa el Fna square, traditional Moroccan cuisine, and much more! The medina is also home to number of unique monuments such as Koutoubia Mosque, Ben Youssef Madrasa, Saadian tombs and El Badi Palace that are definitely worth visiting.
This impressive mosque located in Casablanca stands at 210 meters tall — making it the tallest building in Africa! Its stunning architecture features intricate patterns made with marble, gold plating on walls and ceilings, detailed mosaics and calligraphy works that make this a must-see attraction when visiting Morocco during the winter season!
Located in Marrakech’s old town center surrounded by Souks (markets) this vibrant square comes alive during the festivities near Christmas time providing delicious street food for visitors to enjoy along with performances from snake charmers or storytellers which makes for an unforgettable evening out!
These three attractions are all exceptional experiences that will make your Christmas holiday in Morocco one to remember!
Christmas in Morocco is a special time of year. People come together to celebrate, enjoy delicious meals and drinks, and take part in festivities. Traditional dishes served at Christmas dinner usually include harira soup, mechoui lamb or chicken with vegetables, fish tagine and pastilla (a savory pastry filled with cooked meat). Popular drinks enjoyed over the season are mint tea, homemade cordials such as bissara (bean stew) or houka (juniper brewers), along with many other varieties of wine and beer.
Cooking techniques used for preparing these traditional meals vary from simmering foods slowly on an open fire to baking them in clay tajines which keep moisture intact while adding flavor to the food. These dishes also traditionally contain spices such as saffron, cardamom and ginger which add richness to the flavorful meal.
To complete their festive holiday tables some Moroccan families, prepare favorite recipes like couscous palaces or chebakia cookies during the holidays. Couscous palaces are steamed semolina grains that can be shaped into small pyramids then stuffed with meats or vegetables before being fried until golden brown; while chebakia are deep-fried wafers made from dough covered in honey syrup & sesame seeds – perfect for a sweet ending!
Christmas time is a wonderful time of the year in Morocco. There are plenty of activities to keep people busy and entertained during this festive season. Here are some popular Christmas activities that you can do in Morocco:
This square, known as Jemaa el-Fnaa, is located in the city center and it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit during Christmas time. The square has lots of stalls selling traditional food like kebabs and sweets as well as offering entertainment with street performers providing music and dancing for visitors.
Food plays an important part in Christmas festivities in Morocco so you will find plenty of delicious dishes served up throughout December and into January including couscous, pastilla (pie made with poultry or fish) and bastilla (pie made with almonds, eggs, sugar spices).
During Christmas there are many festivals taking place across the country such as Souk El Khemis festival where locals come together for song, dance and fireworks accompanied by a large feast! These celebrations are definitely worth checking out if you’re visiting during this period!
Shopping for presents is also a popular activity, especially at smaller markets where souvenirs can be picked up relatively cheaply compared to bigger shopping malls or stores which often have higher prices due to their central locations. So why not check out some local markets when looking for gifts over these months?
In conclusion, celebrating Christmas in Morocco is a unique, enriching experience for all to enjoy. From taking part in traditional religious ceremonies and feasting on festive meals to participating in lively music performances and enjoying the company of locals, it’s an unforgettable time of year. Whether you’re visiting with family or traveling solo, make sure you take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity so that your visit will be one you cherish forever.
