Egypt is known for its amazing and unconventional festivals. There are different types of public holidays in Egypt including Religious, customary, and national holidays. The Egyptians are known for their personable customs and traditions, starting from different clothes, types of food, and different holiday destinations. Here are the famous festivals and public holidays in Egypt:
Festivals and Public Holidays in Egypt 2023
1. Islamic Holidays & Festivals in Egypt in 2023
- The First of Moharam: This special day represents the beginning of the Islamic calendar and it is a holiday for all Egyptians. According to Sunni Islam, Egyptians fast on that day.
- The 12th of Rabea Awaal: It is one of the most mesmeric Egypt holidays for all Muslims around the world as this day represents the date of birth of the prophet Muhammed “Peace and blessings be upon him” and it is called “Mawlid El-Nabi”. The four Sunni schools of law approved the Mawlid observance. In such captivating festivals, Streets & Mosques are decorated and the food is distributed.
- The 27th from Ragab: This festival is called “Laylat Al Isra W Al Mi’raj”, in which prophet Muhammed's peace and blessings be upon him got a spiritual and a physical journey on the steed Buraq to the heavens. The events of Isra & Mi’raj are referred to in the Holy Quran.
- Ramadan: It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered the most important Islamic month because of its traditions and its festival at the end of it. During the whole of this month, fasting is fard during the daylight except for those who suffer from illness, have to travel, have children, the elderly, breastfeeding, and are pregnant women. They don’t eat, drink, or get into a sexual relationship from the sunshine until sunset. At the end of this month, there is Eid El-Fitr, in which all Muslims gather together to celebrate such a mesmerizing occasion.
- Eid El-Fitr: It’s one of the most famous Egypt festivals, this amazing celebration marks the end of Ramadan. It is the first day of the month of Shawwal. It starts with Salat el-Eid and then people gather in lovely celebrations everywhere eating different types of food, especially Ka’ak and biscuits. They go to different gardens, try Felucca on the Nile, and practice different wonderful activities.
- The 9th of Dhu’l-Hijjah: The month of Dhu’l-Hijjah represents the last month of the Muslim calendar and it has a very special occasion for Muslims called “The Day of Arafat”. It is followed by the occasion of the sacrifice. Muslims go to Mecca to do their holly visit once a year so this day is a holiday and almost all Muslims fast on that day.
- Eid El-Adha: It is called “The Festival of Sacrifice” as Muslims celebrate the sacrifice that Ibrahim was about to do with his son Isma’il as an act of obedience to the orders of God but God provided a lamb instead of the sacrifice of Ibrahim's son. This day comes on the tenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
2. Coptic Holidays & Festivals in Egypt in 2023
- Birth of Jesus Christ Festival: This is a very important date for Coptic Christians as it marks the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Christmas Holiday: this date marks “Christmas”, which is one of the most important Coptic Egypt holidays that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a public holiday for most nations of the world in which there are many customs and traditions including gift-giving, completing an Advent calendar, Christmas music, and caroling, and lighting a Christingle. There is also an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, a special meal, pulling Christmas crackers, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity, scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe scenes, and holly. On the night of this celebration, there is Christmas Eve, the dinnertime for the majority of Christians to eat different types of food. Lots of tourists favorite to come to Egypt at this time to enjoy Christmas in Egypt.
- Sham El Nassim – Easter Festival: Most Orthodox Christians celebrate this public holiday in April, which represents the memory of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, three days after being crucified. The Holly week follows the fasting of 55 days the Christians, which starts with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday “Jesus’ Last Supper”, Sad Friday “The Crucifixion of Jesus”, Holy Saturday “Easter’s Eve” and ends with Easter Sunday. At this festival, Christians buy new colorful clothes and eat different types of food including; fish, chicken, Fattah, and many other traditional Egyptian dishes. Lots of tourists love to spend this easter in Egypt.
3. National Holidays in Egypt in 2023
- Revolution of 25 January: This day represents the beginning of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011. During the period, Egyptians decided to revolt against the reign of their president, Hosni Mubarak, who ruled for 30 years. This day also resembles National Police Day.
- Sinai Liberation Day: It is the Sinai Liberation day when all Israel Military Forces withdrew from the land of Sinai in 1982.
- Labour Day: It’s one of the favorite Egyptian Holidays for Egyptian workers in all governmental jobs in Egypt.
- Revolution of 30 June: It represents the Egyptian revolution in 2013 to get rid of the Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
- Revolution of 23 July 1952: This is the day of the Egyptian Revolution in 1952 and it is a national day in Egypt.
- Feast of Sinai Liberation: It is the armed forces day that celebrates the success of the Egyptian Military in the October war.
There are social Egypt festivals including Mothers’ Day, which is a day for all mothers to get majestic gifts from their children. There is also Sham El-Nessim Day, in which most families get out of their houses, and eat Fesseekh, onions, and colored eggs in the beautiful weather of Egypt.
4. Ancient Egypt Festivals
- Leylet en Nuktah: Because of the true love of the ancient Egyptians for the Nile, Beautiful women were sacrificed to appease the gods and get the flooding to the Ancient Egyptian lands. Modern Egyptians still celebrate such a memorable day on June 17th but instead of sacrificing, they go on picnics and camp together as the Nile is the inner soul of the whole of Egyptian Life.
- Wafaa Al Nile: Fidelity of the Nile or Wafaa Al-Nile is another important Egyptian festival that takes place annually in September. In Modern Egypt, Children start practicing different activities at such a festival like painting competitions for children, and Egyptians go to concerts and read poetry. This occasion really resembles the Pharaonic legend of revering the Nile and its bounties.
Join the Fun and Be A Part of These Special Times With “Trips in Egypt”
If you prefer to visit Egypt next summer and share Egyptians in their festivals, please check our Egypt tour packages & Nile cruises to book a suitable trip for your next vacation:
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FAQ
What Should I Wear While Being in Egypt?
You should wear whatever you want. It is advised to wear something light from cotton or linen, comfortable and put on sunblock during your time in Egypt in the summer and wear comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the sandy terrain.
What to Pack for Your Egypt Tour?
You should bring a brimmed hat and sunglasses if you not used to the Egyptian sun &pack everything you could ever need and put in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
Are All Nile Cruises Available at Any Time?
Yes, it is available all years. as the Nile from Aswan to Luxor takes three to four days of sailing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the total cost of 600$ and the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan take four to five days in Saturday, Monday and Thursday for the coast of 650$.
Why book Trips in Egypt?
We have experience in vacation planning for more than 10 years & our staff consists of the most professional operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort create the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time advisors to fit your every possible need during your time in egypt. we always keep in mind that your safety & comfort are our main priority until you return home.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt?
Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel to egypt, You will feel secure in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is very peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt and construct an entire environment dedicated for ensuring the lives of all tourists.
What are Egypt's Visa Requirements?
They are very simples, If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries(check the link), have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD entry fee in cash. As for the E-Visa for 30 days, 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 be one of the countries eligible for a free visa for 90 days.
What is the Weather is Like?
The temperature of Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c, Summer in Egypt is somehow hot and winter is cool and mild but sometimes it becomes cold at night. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 23 ¡ÆC in the summertime and average high temperatures vary from 17 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 32 ¡ÆC in the summertime while the temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
What is the Best Time of Visit Egypt?
It is known the best time to travel to Egypt is in the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a bit tropical, a warm atmosphere with a winter breeze. You will also be notified a week before your trip if the weather is unsafe or if any changes have been made.
Should I Give Tips in Egypt?
It is totally up to you, but if you choose to you can tip the servers at your restaurant 5-10% by handing it to them directly and 5 Egyptian Pounds as a general tip of anyone.
Can I Enter the Pyramids?
Yes, you can enter the pyramids for the small fee of 20$.
How to Enjoy Egypt During Ramadan?
Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims that should be celebrated by non-Muslims and feel the essence of the Islamic culture. You can fast with the Muslim or just observe but you are always welcome to join the celebrations and festivals.
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