Egypt Travel Information - Annual Events in Egypt

What's happening near the Nile

January

• Christmas (Cairo) - The Copts celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January. Join in the festivities in this colorful quarter of Cairo.

February

• Abu Simbel Festival - A glowing tribute to the temple built in honor of Ramses II, this festival celebrates his birthday on February 22.

April

• Shem al Nessim - Egyptians celebrate the first day of spring with picnics and outdoor fun on the Monday following the Coptic Easter.

May

• South Sinai Camel Festival - This annual camel race, held in Sharm El-Sheikh, proves that these lumpy animals are faster than you may have imagined.
• Mohammed's Birthday - Egyptians throughout the country celebrate the birth of this prophet on May 2 with parades and decorations.

May to October

• North Sinai Diving (North Sinai) - From the first of May to the end of October, North Sinai offers some of the clearest diving off the Egyptian coast.

August

• Art Festival - This festivity, held in the last week of August, celebrates art from Africa, Europe and Asia and is considered one of the most important festivals in the Arab world.

September

• Wafaa Al-Nil Festival (Cairo) - Egyptians set aside the first day of September every year to pay respects to their life source, in a festival meaning "Fidelity of the Nile."
• Experimental Theatre Festival (Cairo) - Experimental theater troupes take over venues all over the downtown core in the second week of September, giving local artists a chance to explore new ideas in theater.

September to May

• Cairo Lectures - Anyone seeking an academic lecture on Egyptology or Egyptian, Islamic and Coptic history can take in one of these talks held every Wednesday at Cairo's American Research Center (ARC).

October

• Abu Simbel Festival - The fall festival at Abu Simbel celebrates Ramses II's ascension to the throne on October 22.

November

• Arabic Music Festival (Cairo) - The Cairo Opera House celebrates Arabic instrumentalists and singers in this annual event.
• Cairo International Film Festival - Since 1976, the Cairo International Film Festival screens tributes and controversial films, as well as some specialty selections.