Tourists love to visit Marrakech due to its rich cultural heritage and amazing sights. Everyone wants a perfect, stress-free journey, but what happens if your trip coincides with a public holiday? Does it affect your travel plans? Are the famous souks of Marrakech and its historical places closed? That’s why it’s important to know the dates of public holidays to avoid wasting time and money while visiting Marrakech on your next trip in 2025. Let’s find out more about it so you can note that a few shops, stores, and attractions will not be open during this time. Otherwise, the atmosphere of the city might differ from what you expect. This guide includes the holidays for use when planning your trip.
Key Public Holidays in Marrakech (2025):
You must know when the public holidays fall. Marrakech follows the Islamic lunar calendar, which affects the dates of several holidays. It simply implies that these dates can vary every year based on the moon sighting. We will give you expected dates, and it is a good idea to check the dates closer to your travel time.
1. New Year’s Day (Ras El Am)
Thursday, January 1, 2025. Like much of the world, a New Gregorian year is celebrated on January 1st each year. This day is usually a day off for many. You will not find many festivities or celebrations happening on New Year’s Day itself. There may be some specials or events taking place on New Year’s Eve. Typically, New Year’s Day is uneventful.
2. Anniversary of the Manifesto of Independence
This day marks the presentation of Morocco’s Declaration of Independence on January 11, 1944, a pivotal event in Moroccan history. This is an official holiday for government buildings to be closed, and some businesses will shut for the day. It might also include certain local patriotic events or speeches, with the party mood set in.
3. Labour Day
Labour Day: Thursday, May 1, 2025. Morocco joins many other countries in recognizing May 1st as Labour Day. This gives workers a freely accepted day off, and in its memory, most business establishments close for the day.
4. Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Monday, March 31, or Tuesday, April 1, 2025. This event is very important for Muslims as they fast for 30 days during the month of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is a celebration after the sacred month when families pray Eid namaz and celebrate with their loved ones.
5. Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
Saturday, June 7, or Sunday, June 8. Eid al-Adha, one of the most sacred Islamic holidays, is celebrated on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja. Families gather to share festive meals and perform animal sacrifices, a symbolic act of devotion. Travelers can witness a unique cultural atmosphere, though many shops and offices close for the day. This act reminds them of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. After the sacrifice, they distribute the meat to families, friends, and the needy.
6. Islamic New Year (Ras al-Sana al-Hijri)
Friday, June 27 or Saturday, June 28, 2025. The Islamic lunar calendar in Marrakech also starts on this holiday. It is a religious holiday, and all the government offices and some businesses remain closed on this day.
7. Throne Day
Wednesday, July 30, 2025. This day is a significant national holiday in Morocco. People celebrate King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne. This public holiday is a day of national pride. There are many official ceremonies, and parades are held along with some public celebrations. Many businesses and all government offices remain closed.
8. Allegiance Day (Oued Ed-Dahab Day)
Thursday, August 14, 2025. Moroccans celebrate regaining the province of Oued Ed-Dahab (was Rio de Oro) in 1979. There is a public holiday on this day. Schools, colleges, government offices, and some businesses will be closed.
9. Revolution of the King and the People
Wednesday, August 20, 2025, is the holiday known as the anniversary of the exile of Sultan Mohammed V in 1953, a major milestone in the annals of Morocco and its struggle for independence. Being a national holiday, there will be some events and activities to commemorate this day, and some closures may take place.
10. Youth Day
Youth Day is celebrated on the birthday of Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, with celebrations highlighting Morocco’s youth and future.
11. Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid)
The birthday of the Prophet: Monday, October 6, or Tuesday, October 7, 2025, are probable dates. This festival is a religious observance honoring the day when the Prophet Muhammad was born. It is equally a day for the Muslim community to celebrate. Many shops are expected to close, while mosques hold special events.
Also read: Marrakech’s most vibrant festivals: What you shouldn’t miss
12. Green March Day
Green March Day: Friday, November 6, 2025. Green March Day commemorates the Green March of 1975, whereby thousands of Moroccan citizens marched to demonstrate their claims of sovereignty over Western Sahara. On this holiday, be prepared for some formal proceedings and closures.
13. Independence Day
Tuesday, November 18 – Independence Day celebrates Morocco’s independence from French rule in 1956. This is an important national holiday, which will be celebrated in citizens’ homes with parades, events, and speeches on television that citizens will be celebrating. Closed businesses, offices of government will likely be closed for the holiday.
How Public Holidays Might Affect Your Trip:
You need to consider the following when planning your trip during public holidays:
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Closures
It is important to note that banks, government offices, and many stores, especially small independently owned stores and local shops, will likely be closed on public holidays. Holiday hours will also probably mean that holiday hours for some of the larger tourist shops and restaurants, which typically have more liberal holiday hours, may be abbreviated, and it is a good idea to check holiday hours.
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Hours of operation
Some attractions will remain open, but perhaps for reduced hours of operation on public holidays.
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Crowds
For some of the larger religious holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, many Moroccans will be traveling to visit family for the holidays, which means there is potential for transportation hubs to be busy with travelers and busy tourist sites before and after the holidays.
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Atmosphere
The atmosphere of the city differs during the myriad religious holidays each year. While this, of course, can be beautiful to see the local people engaging in their fiestas, it can also mean a less open and sluggish city center.
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Transportation:
Certain public holidays offer bus or train services on limited schedules as if they were a public holiday. Plan your journeys carefully, as bus and train schedules may be limited during public holidays.
Tips for Planning Your Trip Around Public Holidays:
1. Check Dates:
Always confirm with the exact dates of observance concerning Islamic holidays, as they are determined by moon sightings at the time of the year when travel is taking place. Therefore, check reliable sources such as Moroccan government websites or official tourism pages.
2. Book Early
It is wise to plan for accommodation and means of travel earlier if planning to travel during a major public holiday, such as Eid, considering how busy it can get.
3. Plan for closures
If some days are likely to be closed, plan how and what sights you will see during those times. For example, you might explore the medina on that day when shops are more likely to be open and save your outdoor activities for another slow day.
4. Be mindful of local customs
Being aware of local customs and practices helps to save your day during religious periods. Although tourists are generally regarded, dressing modestly and observing those who may be fasting (for example, during Ramadan) is always appreciated.
5. Make the most of it
Some public holidays, like Throne Day or Independence Day, could be an ideal moment to witness the celebratory events and appreciate Moroccan culture in ways not available at any other time.
In Conclusion:
Knowing the public holidays in Marrakech for 2025 gives you the capacity to enjoy a more relaxing and pleasurable trip by being aware of what you might find shut and how the pace of life in the city could change. Thus, you can make the most of these occasions and make the most of the time you have got in this fascinating Moroccan city. Whether you take pleasure in the hustle and bustle of Eid as much as the rest or simply appreciate the lull of a national holiday, your time in Marrakech will be memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will shops and restaurants be closed on all public holidays in Marrakech?
Often, the public offices and banks are closed. Although most shops and restaurants serve customers along the tourist trail, the majority of places are closed, especially when it comes to public holidays like Eid. It is useful to check beforehand.
Are the dates of Islamic holidays fixed?
No, dates are not fixed, but rather are based on the lunar calendar. They tend to shift every year, themselves determined by the sighting of the new moon.
Will tourist attractions be open on public holidays?
Some major attractions might be open even if their hours may be reduced; however, most are closed, especially for religious holidays. Always confirm with their websites.
How will transportation be affected by public holidays?
Most public transport institutions could be operating at reduced schedules. It is meaningful to advise booking tickets in advance, especially at significant times such as Eid for trains and buses.
