Halloween and Thanksgiving in Marrakech: What to Do

Travelling to Marrakech in late October or November and want to celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving? Neither is a Moroccan tradition: they have no place in the national calendar and are not public holidays. Halloween is gaining ground among young city-dwellers, in hotels, clubs and international schools; Thanksgiving is celebrated mainly among American expats and in a few grand hotels. This guide says what you can reasonably expect, how to go about it and what other seasonal ideas come up at the same time. Dates are for 2026: Halloween falls on a Saturday (31 October) and Thanksgiving on a Thursday (26 November).

Halloween in Marrakech: a young people's and hotels' event

There are no costumed children's parades in the medina and no tradition of trick-or-treating. Halloween exists mostly as costume parties organised by some hotels, clubs and bars, international schools and universities. The celebration is visible but low-key, and programmes are announced late, often on the establishments' social media.

Parties in Hivernage hotels and clubs: ask one to two weeks ahead. See Marrakech at night for how bars and clubs work.
With children: don't expect trick-or-treating. Some hotels and holiday clubs run costume workshops; ask your accommodation.
Costumes: outdoors, avoid disguises that offend (religious figures, police or soldiers); in the medina, keep it sober. See what to wear in Marrakech.
Alcohol: served only in licensed venues; see alcohol in Marrakech.

Thanksgiving in Marrakech: mostly among expats

The fourth Thursday of November is not marked in the city. A few grand hotels in Casablanca, such as the Four Seasons, offer a Thanksgiving menu; in Marrakech, what is on offer depends on the establishments each year and is announced only in the autumn. If you want a Thanksgiving meal, contact the palaces and international restaurants of Guéliz and Hivernage directly at least two weeks ahead, and ask about menu, price and cancellation terms. Whole turkeys are hard to find in ordinary butchers: the easiest solution is to have your accommodation prepare the meal.

Other ideas at the same time

International Film Festival: 20 to 28 November 2026, at the Palais des congrès in Hivernage (Marrakech film festival). The Le Colisée cinema is one of the screening venues.
National holidays: 6 November (Green March) and 18 November (Independence Day) are public holidays in Morocco: banks and administrations are closed.
A festive Moroccan meal: tagine, tangia, couscous; see what to eat in Marrakech.
Weather: October and November are mild by day and cool in the evening, see what to do in Marrakech in October and in November.

Summary

Holiday	Date in 2026	What you'll find	Tip
Halloween	Saturday 31 October	Hotel and club parties	Ask 1 to 2 weeks ahead
Thanksgiving	Thursday 26 November	Menus in a few grand hotels	Book early, compare prices
Film festival	20 to 28 November	Screenings, Colisée	Official programme
National holidays	6 and 18 November	Public holidays	Banks closed