National Holidays

National Holidays and Festivals in Egypt

January

• New Year’s Day (Jan 1): Celebrated by Egyptians and tourists with decorated trees, Santa hats, fireworks, parties, and beach visits.

• Coptic Christmas (Jan 7): A major Christian celebration. Copts attend midnight mass on Jan 6, followed by concerts and plays the next day.

• Islamic New Year: Also called Al-Hijra, commemorating the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina.

February

• Sun Festival in Abu Simbel: A biannual solar alignment at Ramses II’s temple, showcasing ancient Egyptian architectural genius.

March

• Mother’s Day (March 21): Celebrated since 1956 in Egypt.

• Coptic Easter (March/April): Christian families reunite and attend festivals and concerts.

April

• Sinai Liberation Day (April 25): Marks the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Sinai in 1979.

• Sham El-Nessim: Meaning “Smell of the West Wind”, this ancient spring festival is celebrated on the Monday after Easter. Egyptians picnic in parks and beaches.

• Camel Race Festival: A national competition featuring the fastest camels in Egypt.

May

• Labor Day (May 1): Honors Egyptian workers with a national holiday.

• National Fishing Competition in Sharm El-Sheikh.

June

• Liberation Day (June 18): Commemorates the final departure of foreign troops in 1954.

July

• Revolution Day (July 23): Celebrates the 1952 revolution that ended the monarchy.

• International Shopping and Tourism Festival

August

• Wafaa El-Nil (August 15): Symbolizes the start of the Nile flood season.

September

• Coptic New Year

• Ramadan: Observed during the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, with fasting from dawn to sunset.

October

• Armed Forces Day (Oct 6): Honors the Egyptian army’s crossing of the Suez Canal in 1973.

• Suez Victory Day (Oct 24): Commemorates Egyptian resistance during the Suez Crisis.

• Eid al-Fitr: A three-day festival marking the end of Ramadan.

• International Diving Competition

November

• International Fishing Competition

December

• Victory Day (Dec 23): Celebrates the withdrawal of British, French, and Israeli forces from Port Said in 1956.