Upcoming Events in Egypt
Egypt's event calendar rewards travellers who plan around it. The Abu Simbel Sun Festival — held twice a year in February and October — draws crowds to Aswan for the rare astronomical phenomenon when sunrise illuminates the inner sanctuary of Ramesses II's temple. It is one of the most dramatic spectacles in the ancient world and gets booked out weeks in advance. In Cairo, the Cairo International Film Festival each November turns the capital into a hub for Arab and African cinema, with screenings, panels, and industry events running across the city.
The best time of year for outdoor events is October through April, when temperatures drop to a comfortable range across Upper Egypt and the Nile Valley. Summer events are concentrated on the Red Sea coast — places like Hurghada and El Gouna stay lively year-round and host their own film festival and water-sports competitions when the rest of the country is too hot to visit comfortably.
Regional variety is wide. The Siwa Date Festival in the Western Desert oasis offers a completely different Egypt — Berber culture, dates and olives, and desert landscapes far removed from the pharaonic trail. Whether your interest is ancient history, film, endurance sport, or local harvest celebrations, Egypt's events spread across a country with genuine geographic and cultural range.
- Siwa Date and Olive Festival Egypt · siwa
Siwa Date and Olive Festival 2026, 9–11 October. Harvest celebration in the oasis with folklore music, traditional crafts, and local food.
- Abu Simbel Sun Festival (October) Egypt · abu simbel
Abu Simbel Sun Festival 2026, 22 October. Solar alignment illuminates Ramesses II's inner sanctuary at dawn. Book accommodation months ahead.
- Luxor Marathon 2027: Run Past Karnak and the Valley of the Kings (8 January) Egypt · luxor
Run past Karnak, Luxor Temple and Valley of the Kings on 8 January 2027. Full marathon, half and 10km. Registration opens October 2026.
- Hurghada Kiteboarding Festival Egypt · hurghada
Hurghada Kiteboarding Festival 2027, 8-12 May. Red Sea competition for amateur and pro riders: windsurfing, freestyle, and slalom.
- Eid al-Adha 2027 Egypt
Eid al-Adha 2027, around 16–19 May in Egypt. Public holiday with mosque prayers, family gatherings, and widespread business closures.
- Revolution Day Egypt
Revolution Day 2027, 23 July in Egypt. National holiday marking the 1952 revolution: parades, street celebrations, and business closures.
- El Gouna Film Festival 2027 Egypt · el gouna
El Gouna Film Festival 2027, 10th edition. Expected October 2027 — exact dates TBC. Arab and world cinema, industry panels, Red Sea screenings.
- Siwa Date and Olive Festival 2027 Egypt · siwa
Siwa Date and Olive Festival 2027, around 15–17 October. Harvest celebration in the oasis with folklore music, traditional crafts, and local food.
- Abu Simbel Sun Festival 2027 (October) Egypt · abu simbel
Abu Simbel Sun Festival 2027, 22 October. Solar alignment illuminates Ramesses II's inner sanctuary at dawn. Book accommodation months ahead.
- Cairo International Film Festival 2027 Egypt · cairo
Cairo International Film Festival 2027, 48th edition. Expected November 2027 — exact dates TBC. FIAPF-accredited competition films, screenings across Cairo.
No past events archived yet.