Egypt has around 13 official public holidays, and several of them move each year. For visitors the practical question is simple: what shuts, what stays open, and when are the crowds and prices at their worst? The short answer is that sights and tourist services mostly carry on, while banks, government offices and intercity transport feel the strain. This guide lists the dates for 2026 and 2027 and explains what to expect.
All dates below are as of 2026. Islamic dates depend on moon sighting and the government confirms them days beforehand, so treat them as provisional and allow a one-day margin.
Egypt public holidays 2026 and 2027
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Coptic Christmas | Wed 7 Jan | Thu 7 Jan |
| Revolution Day (25 January) | Sun 25 Jan | Mon 25 Jan |
| Start of Ramadan (not a day off) | about 18 Feb | about 8 Feb |
| Eid al-Fitr | about 20-22 Mar | about 9-11 Mar |
| Coptic Easter Sunday | 12 Apr | 2 May |
| Sham El Nessim | Mon 13 Apr | Mon 3 May |
| Sinai Liberation Day | Sat 25 Apr | Sun 25 Apr |
| Labour Day | Fri 1 May | Sat 1 May |
| Arafat Day | about 26 May | about 15 May |
| Eid al-Adha | about 27-29 May | about 16-19 May |
| Islamic New Year | about 16-17 Jun | about 6 Jun |
| 30 June Revolution | Tue 30 Jun | Wed 30 Jun |
| 23 July Revolution | Thu 23 Jul | Fri 23 Jul |
| Prophetβs Birthday | about 25 Aug | about 14-15 Aug |
| Armed Forces Day | Tue 6 Oct (passed) | Wed 6 Oct |
Egypt often shifts a mid-week holiday to the nearest Thursday to create a long weekend, so the observed day off can differ from the calendar date. The Easter dates follow the Orthodox calendar. Eid and Ramadan dates are astronomical estimates, so confirm them closer to travel.
The Islamic holidays
Eid al-Fitr ends Ramadan and is the biggest family holiday. Expect three official days off, and in practice many offices close for longer. Egyptians travel to the Red Sea, Alexandria and Luxor, so those destinations are busy and pricier. See our Ramadan in Egypt guide for the month before it.
Eid al-Adha is the Feast of Sacrifice, preceded by Arafat Day. It is the longest break of the year, usually four to five days. Streets in some neighbourhoods are quiet on the first morning, then fill with families. Meat is shared widely, and many restaurants run reduced menus on day one.
Islamic New Year and the Prophetβs Birthday are single days off. The Prophetβs Birthday (Mawlid) brings street processions and sweets stalls, especially around Sayyida Zeinab and Al-Hussein in Cairo, which makes traffic slow there.
The Coptic and seasonal holidays
Coptic Christmas (7 January) is a quiet day for visitors. Churches hold midnight services on 6 January, and Coptic Cairo is worth visiting, though some shops in Christian neighbourhoods close.
Sham El Nessim falls the Monday after Orthodox Easter and marks the start of spring. Families picnic in parks, along the Nile and on Alexandriaβs Corniche, eating salted fish (feseekh), onions and coloured eggs. Parks and ferries are crowded, and feseekh is best avoided if you have a sensitive stomach.
National holidays
Revolution Day (25 January), Sinai Liberation Day (25 April), Labour Day (1 May), the 30 June and 23 July revolution anniversaries, and Armed Forces Day (6 October) are one-day closures. They have little effect on tourism. Expect closed banks and government offices, normal hotels and tours, and some road closures near official ceremonies in central Cairo.
What is open and closed
- Banks and post offices: closed on all public holidays. Exchange offices in tourist areas often stay open. Read our Egypt money guide for cash tips.
- ATMs: open, but can run out of cash around Eid. Withdraw early.
- Archaeological sites and museums: Giza, Karnak, Valley of the Kings and most museums normally open, sometimes with shortened hours on the first day of Eid. Entry for Egyptians is cheaper on some holidays, which means longer queues.
- Shops and markets: malls and Khan el-Khalili usually open; many local shops close on the first day of Eid. Supermarkets open late.
- Restaurants: tourist restaurants open throughout. Local places may close on the first morning of Eid.
- Trains and buses: run on holiday schedules, but extra demand sells out seats. Book the Cairo to Luxor and Aswan sleeper or day trains days ahead, see our sleeper train guide.
- Domestic flights: fares rise sharply around Eid. Book early.
- Nile cruises and hotels: Red Sea resorts and Alexandria hotels fill and raise rates during Eid and Sham El Nessim.
Most disruptive for travelers
- Eid al-Adha: longest closures, heaviest domestic travel.
- Eid al-Fitr: peak family travel and high Red Sea prices, right after a month of shortened hours.
- Sham El Nessim: one day, but beaches, parks and trains are packed.
- Coptic Easter week: busy in churches and in Upper Egypt.
If your dates are flexible, aim for a stretch with no holiday. The cooler months are best, see best time to visit Egypt and the Egypt in October guide.
Practical tips
- Withdraw cash and book transport at least a week before any Eid.
- Confirm opening hours at sites the day before.
- Dress modestly and respect prayer times during religious holidays, see Egypt etiquette and customs.
- Join a guided day to avoid queues: browse Cairo tours and book ahead.
- Friday is the weekly day of rest, with many shops closing until after midday prayers.
Holiday calendars change, so verify dates with your hotel or the official government announcement before you fly.