20 Best Festivals in Egypt You Must Experience

Egypt is home to a rich ancient culture and has some of the world’s most iconic temples and monuments. Tucked away in Africa, Egyptian culture dates back to the Pharaonic civilization and is reflected in architecture, cultural events, and festivals in the modernized world. 

If you are planning a trip to Egypt, here are some festivals in Egypt that you must experience, along with visiting iconic landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.

20 Egypt Festivals

If you want to immerse yourself in Egyptian culture, you must participate in their unique cultural events and festivals. Here are the 20 best festivals in Egypt that will make your trip memorable!

Sphinx Festival

Sphinx Festival is a modern celebration in El Gouna. The Sphinx Festival blends ancient Egyptian heritage with contemporary arts. Music, dance performances, and educational programs highlight Egypt’s rich history and culture, creating a vibrant and engaging experience for attendees.

• Location: El Gouna, a Red Sea town

• Date & Time: June

• Highlights: Folk dances, traditional songs, modern and classical songs, and other events

• Specialties: Best place to immerse yourself and learn about the Egyptian heritage, culture, and folklore.

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

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Sun Festival at Abu Simbel

Sun Festival is one of the most traditional festivals in Egypt. It is celebrated twice a year when a remarkable astronomical phenomenon occurs at Abu Simbel. The sun’s rays penetrate the temple’s inner sanctuary, illuminating statues of gods. 

• Location: Abu Simbel, Egypt 

• Date & Time: February and October.

• Highlights: It honors the sun god with music, dance and cultural performances.

• Specialties: All the deities at the Abu Simbel are illuminated by the sun’s rays except the Ptah, the goddess of darkness.

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

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Coptic Orthodox Easter

Preceded by a 55-day fast, Coptic Easter is a joyous occasion. The Easter Vigil culminates in a grand feast featuring traditional dishes like fatta and kahk. People read the psalm and sing the sacred hymns. All lights are switched off and turned on at the hour of the resurrection of Christ. 

• Location: Coptic churches in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt 

• Date & Time: April and May

• Highlights: You can expect prayers, hymns, Bible readings, candle lighting, and a festive meal.

• Specialties: The Coptic churches host special services and processions during Holy Week

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

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Coptic Orthodox Christmas

Celebrated on January 7th, Coptic Christmas follows a 43-day fast. This is because Orthodox Christians follow the Julian Calendar. On Christmas Eve, a special service is held till midnight, where people share bread called qurban, an offering. It is one of the most religious festivals in Egypt.

• Location: Coptic churches in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt 

• Date & Time: January

• Highlights: You can expect a festive meal; Families and friends will visit each other and exchange gifts.

• Specialties: The services are held in churches, and families enjoy a festive meal, often including fata and kunafa.

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

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Coptic Orthodox New Year

Observed on September 11th, the Coptic New Year, also known as Nayrouz, is a time for prayer and family gatherings. It marks the start of the Coptic year and is often celebrated with special foods, church services, special prayers, and a focus on remembering the Coptic martyrs. 

• Location: Coptic churches in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt 

• Date & Time: September

• Highlights: You can expect a festive meal; Families and friends will visit each other to share greetings and feasts.

• Specialties: Honoring the millions of martyrs who sacrificed their lives as sacrifices of love for the Lord. 

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

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El Hijra (Islamic New Year)

The Islamic New Year commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina. It’s a time for personal reflection and prayer, with many Muslims attending mosque services and reflecting on the past year. It is not a grand festival but a day of contemplation and renewal. 

• Location: Mosques, Egypt 

• Date & Time: June

• Highlights: Many Egyptians gather in mosques to pray and listen to sermons

• Specialties: It’s a time to remember the journey and struggles of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers.

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

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Eid Al Ghetass (Epiphany)

Coptic Christians celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan. Epiphany is a day of feasting and reflection. Christians make and eat special foods, like qasab, are prepared, and families gather to celebrate this important religious occasion. Some participate in ritualistic dips in water. 

• Location: Coptic churches in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt 

• Date & Time: January

• Highlights: You can expect festive gatherings and cultural traditions, often including processions and special church services

• Specialties: It’s a time to celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

Sham Ennessim

Sham Ennessim is one of the seasonal festivals in Egypt. An ancient spring festival celebrated by all Egyptians, Sham Ennessim marks the arrival of spring. Families enjoy picnics outdoors by eating traditional foods like feseekh (fermented fish), colored eggs, and spring onions.

• Location: Celebrated across Egypt 

• Date & Time: Celebrated on the Monday after Orthodox Easter

• Highlights: You can expect people to head to parks, beaches, gardens, and zoos to celebrate the coming of spring and feasting.

• Specialties: You must try the traditional food associated with the holiday.

• Pro Tip: Beware of large crowds and plan your trip in advance.

Ramadan

The holy month of fasting for Muslims, Ramadan, is a time for prayer, reflection, and charity. Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset. Evenings are filled with community gatherings and special meals called iftar. The mosques are all lit up, shops are open almost all night, and the streets are decorated in Ramadan themes.

• Location: Across Egypt 

• Date & Time: February- March 

• Highlights: You can expect festive gatherings, cultural traditions, unique traditions, lively nights, and a sense of community.

• Specialties: It’s a time to pray, reflect, and give back to your community. 

• Pro Tip: Be respectful of the traditions and sanctity of the festival 

Sandbox Music Festival

Sandbox Music Festival is one of the most celebrated music festivals in Egypt. A 3-day modern electronic music festival at El Gouna, Red Sea. Sandbox attracts a young and vibrant crowd. International and local DJs perform, creating a high-energy atmosphere for music lovers. 

• Location: El Gouna, Red Sea, Egypt 

• Date & Time: May

• Highlights: You can expect concerts, gigs, and international and local DJ performances.

• Specialties: It is the best electronic music festival in Egypt, and the tickets start at $200 (INR 17,000).

• Pro Tip: Book your passes in advance to avoid high fees. 

Wafaa Al Nil

Wafaa Al Nil is one of the most unique cultural festivals in Egypt. This festival celebrates the life-giving Nile River. Cultural events, including music, dance, and traditional performances, honor the river’s importance to Egyptian civilization and its role in sustaining life. It is a 2-week festival that is celebrated along the Nile River across Egypt.

• Location: Nile, Egypt 

• Date & Time: August- September

• Highlights: You can expect festive boat rides, dance, colorful costumes, and people offering gifts to the Nile.

• Specialties: It celebrates the flooding of the Nile River that leaves the land nutrient-rich for farming. 

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

Cairo International Film Festival

A prestigious event showcasing Arab and international films, the Cairo International Film Festival attracts filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts from around the world. It promotes cultural exchange and celebrates cinematic art. The film festival is a renowned event organized by the Ministry of Culture in Egypt.

• Location: Cairo, Egypt 

• Date & Time: November 

• Highlights: Watch award-winning films, award ceremonies, and workshops

• Specialties: It celebrates Arab culture through films, movies, and documentaries

• Pro Tip: Book your tickets in advance to get a spot.

Cairo Bites

Cario Bites is one of the best food festivals in Egypt. It is a popular food festival in Cairo that offers a diverse range of culinary experiences. Local restaurants and food vendors showcase their specialties, giving visitors a taste of Cairo’s vibrant food scene. It is the best place to try local Egyptian cuisine with great live music performances. 

• Location: New Alamein City, Egypt 

• Date & Time: August

• Highlights: You can expect fantastic food stalls, non-stop eating, live cooking with celebrity chefs, and incredible musical performances

• Specialties: More than 100 participating eateries serve over 10,000 visitors of foodies.

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

Festival of Sokar (Sugar Festival)

Celebrating the sugar harvest, this festival features traditional music, dance, and, of course, plenty of sweets. It is also called the Festival of Khoiak and is one of the unique festivals celebrated in Egypt. It’s a joyful occasion highlighting the importance of sugar production in Egypt.

• Location: Across Egypt 

• Highlights: You can expect festive gatherings, traditional music, and dance

• Specialties: An annual event to celebrate renewal and growth

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

Opet Festival

Opet Festival is one of the oldest traditional festivals of Egypt. An ancient festival reenacted today, the Opet Festival celebrated the connection between the Luxor and Karnak temples. The festival honors the holy family: God, Amun, his partner Mut, and their son Khonsu. Processions, rituals, and cultural performances bring this ancient tradition to life.

• Location: Luxor, Egypt 

• Date & Time: February

• Highlights: You can expect Music, dance, and hymns dedicated to the Holy Family during the festival.

• Specialties: Ritual procession from Karnak to Luxor Temple and the renewal of divine kingship.

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

Cairo Jazz Festival

The Cairo Jazz Festival brings a diverse range of jazz styles to the city by showcasing local and international jazz musicians. It is one of the most popular music festivals in Egypt. It is a 9-day festival that includes musicians from 15 different countries, various jam sessions, and after-hour club gigs to enjoy. 

• Location: AUC Tahrir Square, Egypt 

• Date & Time: October – November

• Highlights: Concerts, jam sessions, club gigs, workshops, meet & greets 

• Specialties: A grand celebration of Jazz music in the desert. Attend costs start at INR 540 (EGP 310).

• Pro Tip: Book your tickets in advance for the best prices and seats.

Cairo International Book Fair

A major literary event, the Cairo International Book Fair attracts publishers, writers, and readers from across the Arab world and beyond. It features a vast selection of books in various languages. It is the best place to buy local literature and meet eminent authors, writers, and poets from across the globe. 

• Location: Cairo, Egypt 

• Date & Time: January 23 to February 5

• Highlights: Get amazing discounts, meet honorary authors, and buy the latest and obscure Arabic literature

• Specialties: It is the largest book fair in Egypt and gets over 2 million visitors every year

• Pro Tip: Book your tickets in advance 

New Year’s Eve

Celebrated with parties, fireworks, and gatherings, New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration and reflection. Egyptians welcome the new year with hope and anticipation for the year ahead. You can watch fireworks lighting up the Pyramids, cruise on the Nile River, take desert safaris, or go club hopping to immerse yourself in Egypt’s nightlife on the first day of the year.

• Location: Celebrated across Egypt 

• Date & Time: January

• Highlights: You can expect festive gatherings, bonfires, fireworks, parties 

• Specialties: Celebrate the new year by partying, taking a cruise, hot air balloon, or desert safari.

• Pro Tip: Book your plans in advance to avoid paying extra on New Year’s Eve.

Alexandria International Film Festival

Alexandria International Film Festival celebrates Mediterranean cinema. This film festival in Alexandria promotes cultural exchange and showcases films from the region. It provides a platform for filmmakers and fosters dialogue about Mediterranean culture. It is a 4-day festival that celebrates different genres and ideas of filmmaking. 

• Location: Alexandria, Egypt 

• Date & Time: November 

• Highlights: You can expect independent feature-length films and shorts of all genres.

• Specialties: A great way to learn about Egyptian movies and cinema

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

Wadi Zalaga and El Arish Camel Races

Wadi Zalaga and El Arish Camel Races are held in the Sinai Peninsula. These traditional camel races showcase Bedouin culture and horsemanship. Bedouins gather the day before the race, camp in the desert, drink tea, and visit each other’s campfires. It is a magical experience to watch one of the most thrilling camel races in the middle of a desert in South Sinai. 

• Location: South Sinai, Egypt 

• Date & Time: January

• Highlights: High-speed camel races, traditional music, and local crafts.

• Specialties: Bedouin tribes compete by placing young boys on their finest camels and racing them through Wadi Zalaga for around 45 minutes.

• Pro Tip: Attend with a local guide or friend to immerse yourself completely.

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FAQs

What festivals are popular in Egypt?

Some of the most popular festivals in Egypt are Ramadan, Cairo Bites, Sun Festival at Abu Simbel, Coptic Orthodox Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Tourists can join in with the locals to celebrate these festivals. 

Which are the best festivals & events celebrated in Egypt?

Some of the best festivals in Egypt are the Sun Festival at Abu Simbel, Ramadan, Coptic Orthodox Easter, Coptic Orthodox Christmas, and Coptic Orthodox New Year. These festivals are the best way to experience Egyptian culture and history. 

What is the best time to visit Egypt?

The best time to visit Egypt is in the winter season. The winter season begins from October to April, when the weather is cool with light rain.

What is the culture of Egypt?

Egyptian culture is one of the oldest traditions in the world. Its culture mixes ancient Pharaonic traditions, Islamic practices, and Arabic influences. Its unique festivals in Egypt, such as the Sun Festival at Abu Simbel, Ramadan, Coptic Orthodox Christmas, and Western New Year, reflect these influences.