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Festivals and public holidays in Egypt unveil a tapestry of cultural richness, from religious commemorations to national celebrations.
Festivals and public holidays in Egypt are the best way to fully explore the enchanting culture of Egypt. The main purpose of this article is to showcase all the information and details relating to all the festivals and public holidays in Egypt. This article was written by a group of highly trained tour guides, tour operators, and travel consultants who fully understand the history and culture of Egypt.
Public holidays in Egypt 2024 are truly something special that is celebrated by the entire population and comes in different colors and classifications. Some holidays are religious, and others are secular, while some can be fixed holidays and others are movable. In Egypt, we have four Islamic holidays and two Christian holidays. Moreover, we have national and social festivals some of which are considered holidays, while some are not, but all of them are considered to be a unique point in time that shows an amazing aspect of the vast culture of ancient and modern Egypt.
The season of 2024 looks very promising to all travelers around the world who wish to experience true wonder. Most Egyptians work six days weekly, while a few of them work only five days as government offices and ministries in Egypt rest on Friday of each week, while banks and many institutes have non-working days on Saturdays, and many other administration areas are not working on Sundays. All these festivals and holidays in Egypt revolved around the following points:
| Date | Holiday Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 7th of January 2025 | Christmas Holiday | Coptic Holiday |
| Saturday 25th of January 2025 | Revolution of 25 January | National Holiday |
| Monday, 6th of May 2024 | Sham El Nessim - Easter | Coptic Holiday |
| Friday 25th of April 2025 | Sinai Liberation Day | National Holiday |
| Wednesday 30th of April 2025 | Labour Day | National Holiday |
| Tuesday, 9th of April 2024 | End of Ramadan | Islamic Holiday |
| 10th, 11st, 12nd of April 2024 | Eid Al Fitr | Islamic Holiday |
| Monday 30th of June 2025 | Revolution of 30 June | National Holiday |
| Wednesday 23rd of July 2025 | Revolution of 23 July 1952 | National Holiday |
| Sunday, 16th of June, 2024 | Day of Arafat | Islamic Holiday |
| From 17th June to 20th June 2024 | Eid Al Adha | Islamic Holiday |
| Monday, 8th July 2024 | Islamic New Year | Islamic Holiday |
| Monday 6th of October 2025 | Feast of Sinai Liberation | National Holiday |
| Monday, 16th September 2024 | Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif | Islamic Holiday |
The holier or happier days in Egypt are the heavenly days of Ramadan, when the grace of God shines on every soul in Egypt with joy, relief, and bliss. The Ramadan season 2024 is expected to be truly magical, so get ready for a tour around a true slice of magic. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual activity between sunrise and sunset every day for 29 or 30 days. People join with their families to break the fast with gigantic feasts called ‘Iftar’. The first item traditionally consumed is dates. To ensure energy levels are maintained throughout the day, Muslims will also wake up early at dawn before sunrise to once again fuel their bodies with food & water before fasting begins this meal is called Suhor.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar and the holiest month of all the Islamic months which is a commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation of the Holy Quran. It is the month of pure reflection, meditation, and repentance that lasts for 29 or 30 days, from the sighting of a crescent moon to the next. Ramadan is one of five pillars of Islam where everyone has to Fast, which is considered to be an act of worship and the means to feel closer to God and to strengthen their spiritual self-discipline and spiritual health. This month adds more color and fun to the entire country. Ramadan nights are totally different from the rest of the year. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Many Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up or a cleanse for their spiritual lives away. Kids also celebrate Ramadan by buying Fanoos Ramadan, "A Beautifully Decorated Lamp" to fully enjoy its light and music. Of course, the whole month is not considered a holiday in Egypt. The end of the month is commemorated with a three-day feast called ‘Eid al-Fitr. Here are some questions that can get on your mind about Ramadan in Egypt:
The Answer: Based on the Astronomical prediction, Ramadan in Egypt 2024 will start on the 11th of Monday, March 2024, and end on the evening of the 9th of Tuesday, April 2024. The Islamic calendar is known as the lunar calendar of 12 months. Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon, "Crescent" until the rise of a new moon.
The Answer: Every traveler can explore all the historical and cultural monuments of Egypt with total ease and comfort. Everyone will get to witness all the homes and streets which are decorated with delightful decorations and Ramadan lanterns. The best Ramadan activity is having a meal on El Moez Street. All the usual services for tourists will be available throughout the rest of the month and the entire year.
The Answer: Ramadan is the time of fasting and praying when all the Egyptians try to get close to Allah. All the time of the day feels very calm, but after the sun goes down, everything comes to life. Every traveler will get to explore all the unique and delicious cuisines of Egypt.
The Answer: Ramadan is one of the best times to be in Egypt, where every traveler will get to witness all the heavenly attractions of Egypt. All the services needed for your tour will remain operating and ready to work at any time. The Egyptian people are very friendly and hospitable. During the time of Ramadan, every traveler will get to explore a whole new side of Egypt that has never been seen before.
The Answer: The celebration of Ramadan begins with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which lasts for three days, where people have large meals and sweet treats with family and friends and exchange money and gifts with family and friends.
It’s a new Hijary or Islamic New Year, according to the Islamic calendar. And it’s considered a holiday for all Egyptians.
It’s a major Islamic festival that marks the birthday of the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) The Egyptians call it in Egypt “Moulid al Nabawy“. Most streets are filled with acrobats, drummers, and musicians. Families join together to greet each other and exchange gifts like the traditional sweets "Halawet El-Moulid" (a type of halvah or candy) and candy dolls that are sold from roadside stands as well as hummus (a puree made from chickpeas), the traditional appetizer of Moulid an-Nabi. And it’s also a holiday in Egypt for all Egyptians.
All Muslims in Egypt are celebrating the 27th of Ragab, which is called "Laylat El-Esraa & Miraj" the day that Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven. It is a national holiday in Egypt and in all Muslim countries.
It's a special night that the prophet Mohamed has mentioned in his Hadith, and people celebrate by reading a part of the holy book Quraan, but it's not one of the holidays in Egypt.
The first day after the holy month of Ramadan called Shawal which is the 10th month of the Islamic Calendar (from the 1st to 3rd of Shawal) begins a three- or four-day holiday in Egypt called Eid al-Fitr. After the final fast-breaking (Iftar), people often celebrate all day and night with their friends, families, and loved ones. The next day, everyone puts on new clothes to join street festivities with small fairs and open markets while families and friends get together to exchange gifts and sweets; most Egyptians make these sweets at home. Muslim holidays are not on fixed dates because they are on the Nigerian and lunar calendars.
Dhuʻl-Hijjah is the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar. It’s called when people perform their Holly Visit to Mecca for Al Hag. Egyptians fast on that day, and it’s a holiday in Egypt.
From the 10th to the 13th, Zo Al Haga Feast of the Sacrifice honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah's (God) command. Before Ibrahim sacrificed his son, God provided a male animal to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts: one-third of the share is given to the poor and needy, another third is given to relatives, friends, and neighbors, and the family retains the remaining third.
January 7 is the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Coptic Calendar, and most Egyptians, regardless of religion, join in the festivities, especially in Cairo and other Coptic regions. The week before Christmas, homes and businesses are decked out with colorful lights and decorations, and there are manger scenes and special holiday bazaars in the streets. Following the midnight mass on Christmas Eve, people gather to celebrate and eat a traditional dish of rice, garlic, and meat soup called Fata. Explore Egypt's timeless wonders and festive cheer on our Egypt Christmas tours.
Coptic believers hold an Easter vigil until dawn on Easter Morning. This is known as "The Great Vigil" and the ceremonies will involve a Resurrection play that centers on both the Resurrection and the Ascension. In the beginning, Heaven’s gates are shown shut tight, and the room is kept dark to symbolize humanity’s fall into sin. The Easter festival is large family dinners that are served to break the long period of fasting. Fish, meat, eggs, cookies, biscuits, and "Fatteh" a dish with rice and other ingredients laid on top of a crispy flatbread, are common cuisine choices. New clothes are also bought and worn as Coptic Christians visit family members and friends at their houses.
The following holidays in Egypt are celebrated across the country, where government offices and ministries are closed.
Celebrate the day of the beginning of the Egyptian revolution against "President Mubarak" on the 25th of January 2011, and it's also National Police Day. It's a day off in Egypt.
Egypt is celebrating on July 23 the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 against King Farouk; it was the main reason for the ending of the kingdom of Egypt.
Sinai Liberation Day marks the final withdrawal of all Israeli military forces from the Sinai Peninsula when Egypt recovered the land of Sinai and the withdrawal of the last Israeli soldier from the city of Taba in 1988.
It's a day off for all Egyptians. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
Egypt celebrates its first military victory in the October War, which led to the liberation of Sinai from occupation, also during the rule of President "Mohamed Anwar Sadat".
It's on March 21 as a kind of appreciation for Egyptian mothers, but it's not a public holiday in Egypt.
It has no fixed day, but it's most probably in April during spring. It's a Public holiday where Egyptians like to go to national parks and eat dry fish and fruits, so when you visit Egypt during that holiday, you'll find everything is different in Egypt.
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Ramadan is the most important festival in Egypt as it celebrates the most Islamic event which is the revelation of the Qur'an to Prophet Mohammed.
There are 12 festivals across the time of Egypt.
The Egyptians celebrate a number of festivals for a number of reasons which has been a tradition that has continued for more than 4000 years. The ancient Egyptians have celebrated the Egyptian New Year, Wepet Renpet, the Sun Festival at Abu Simbel, the Festival of Opet, and the Festival of Khoiak.
The most important festivals in Egypt are:
Moulid Al-Nabi (in October),
Sayeda Zeinab’s Moulid (in March),
Pharaonic Wedding (in October),
Wafaa Al Nil (in August),
Moulid of El-Hussein (in October & December),
Abu Simbel Festival (in October),
Sham al Nessim (in April),
Art festival (in August),
Eid Fitr (in May),
Eid al Adha (in July),
Moulid Abu el-Haggag (in July),
Coptic Christmas in Egypt (in January),
Egyptian National Day (in November).
The majority of the Egyptian population up to 80% is Muslim, with a small minority of Christians, jews, and other beliefs.
It is the ideal travel destination to mix culture, history, adventure, and relaxation. Every traveler will get to cast their eyes on 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites dating more than 4500 years and some of the most beautiful attractions in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and beaches across the red sea.
Egypt is one of the safest travel destinations in the world right now, due to the low crime level when compared with the crime rates of many Western countries. In Mid 2022 world Health Organization places Egypt at the lowest level of coronavirus spread Risk across the world due to the measures taken by the Egyptian government that helped control the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of each traveler such as the cleansing of all the visited attractions on a daily basis which help record the lowest number of infections and the highest number of recovery cases.
The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian pound (LE). Don't change your money before you come to Egypt so you don't miss the change rate. You will get a better rate for your dollars and more currencies in Egypt. the English Pound, Euro, and US Dollar are accepted.
It would be very useful to know some Arabic words and phrases like Salaam Alaykum (hello), Ma’is Salaama (goodbye), min fudlak (please) for male and min fadlik for female, Shukran (thank you), lu samaht (excuse me), Aiwa (yes), laa (no), Yalla (lets go), mashy (okay), Afwan (you’re welcome), Em’shee (go away).
The DO's:
Do spend time chatting with people.
Do learn some basic Egyptian Arabic during your trip.
Do ask when you don't understand something.
Do savor as much Egyptian food as you can.
Do make sure you try the delicious cuisines of Egypt.
Do stay in a central location.
Do dress modestly.
Do be careful of public displays of affection.
Do ask for directions from at least three different people.
Do ask for help when crossing busy streets.
Do take taxis rather than public transportation.
Do ask locals about the fare for your destination before taking a taxi.
Do avoid off-road destinations.
Do carry small change and coins.
Do leave tips in cafés, restaurants, hairdressers, shops and almost everywhere!
Do bargain in souvenir shops and bazaars.
Do respect Egyptian temples and monuments.
Do enjoy the country as much as you can.
The DON'T's:
Don't even think about renting a car unless you have driven in India or Egypt before.
Don't get frustrated when someone is late.
Don't wear shorts and vests or tank tops.
Don't talk to people who approach you in public areas
Don't follow someone trying to "help" you.
Don't drink the tap water.
Don't drink alcohol in the street.
Don't be intimidated by market vendors.
Don't take photos of locals without permission.
Don't visit mosques during prayer time.
Don't be surprised to see Egyptian men holding hands.
Don't put your feet on a table or point the soles of your shoes at others.
Don't pet street dogs and cats.
Don't use drones in Egypt.
Across the lands and waters of Egypt is a number of affordable and entertaining activities such as Boarding a magical Nile Cruise Between Luxor and Aswan, a Dinner Cruise across the Nile in Cairo, aquatic sports like diving, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, and more, Hot-air Ballon, Super Safari, sandboarding, visit the city of Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh Red Sea for relaxation and enjoy a lot of activities there and very unique & entertaining activities worth your time and attention.
English is the most widely used language in Egypt, the majority of the road signs in Egypt are written both in Arabic and English.
Every traveler must respect all the archaeological monuments and sites by not touching, scratching, or sitting on them as they are what remains of the ancient Egyptian heritage. You should dress conservatively despite the fact that there is no specific dress code in the cities, it is known that women will feel much comfortable if they cover their shoulders and do not wear shorts, plus this becomes very relevant when visiting mosques and churches. Drink a lot of water and apply sun cream to stand the heat and the sun. Despite the fact that hotels and main shops in the tourist areas would accept credit cards and foreign currencies, but smaller restaurants and stores are unlikely to do so especially when you go further into the tourist areas and the desert. Be careful when paying Buying souvenirs. Always keep your camera phone with you at all times. Always keep your professional tour guide and driver with you even when you go on a desert excursion. Always check the time of the ensa time lock during your Nile cruise booking. Attend a sound and light show in Luxor along with the archaeological spots through the Nile. focus on having a good time and don't take long to return to Egypt. Every traveler must respect all the archaeological monuments and sites by not touching, scratching, or sitting on them as they are what remains of the ancient Egyptian heritage.
Tipping is always expected in Egypt, it is generally from 5% to 10% as a sign of good etiquette and respect across all the facilities.
The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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