If you are planning Egypt tours in 2022 or a holiday to Egypt, you should definitely check this article.
NOTICE THAT THIS ARTICLE IS UNDER UPDATE!
I have collected here all the important dates and interesting things we are expecting to happen in Egypt in 2022. The list will be updated through the year.
Here we go EGYPT IN 2022 What happens where and when.
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The year 2020 is important and interesting in Egypt for many reasons. This is what we are waiting and hoping to happen in Egypt in 2020:
- Opening for the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). The museum is expected to be opened in 2022. The exact date hasn’t been announced yet.
- Egypt’s oldest pyramid the tomb of Pharaoh Djoser is set to be opened for tourists in the first quarter of 2020.
- Baron Empain Palace in Cairo Heliopolis area is planned to be open for visitors after restoration in February 2020. The restoration of the palace built by in 1911 cost 100 million Egyptian pounds. Here is a good article of the palace’s history from 2012.
- The tickets for Upper Egypt’s archaeological sites and Museums will be reducted for 50% during the summer season. More information here.
- Tourists heading back to Sharm El-Sheikh. Over 15 million tourists expected to visit Egypt in 2020. For sure, some of them visit Sharm El-Sheikh.
- Hurghada Museum is has been inaugurated on 29th of February 2020. More information about the opening ceremony of Hurghada Museum here. Entrance fees to Hurghada Museum: Foreign adults 200 EGP, Foreign child (under 6-years) & students 100 EGP. Egyptian adult 80 EGP, Egyptian child (under 6-years) & students 40 EGP. Click here to read more: Hurghada Museum official website.
For the ones who are planning Egypt tours or a regular holiday, it’s important to aware of public/national holidays in Egypt.
National holidays in Egypt don’t affect much on tourism, but in case you are planning to go to the bank or visa office, for example, you may be in trouble, if you didn’t prepare for holidays.
ATM’s are usually empty during long national holidays, this is why it’s good to get some cash before banks are closed for days.
TO READ MORE ABOUT THE CURRENCY IN EGYPT CHECK THIS POST:
CURRENCY IN EGYPT | EGYPTIAN POUND FAQs
Here is a full list of all the national/public holidays in Egypt in 2020. After the list, there is more information about the holidays and events in Egypt in 2020.
If you notice something worth mentioning missing from the list, leave a comment or e-mail me lifebeyondexpectationsss@gmail.com. And I’ll add it.
NEXT: NATIONAL HOLIDAYS IN EGYPT IN 2020
National | Public holidays in Egypt in 2020
During the national holidays in Egypt schools, banks and government buildings are closed. Also, some of the shops may be closed. Here is a full list for the public holidays in Egypt in 2020.
During the Ramadan, Coptic Christians keep their shops open normally, while Muslim owned may be closed during the Ramadan meals. Read more about the Coptic Christians in Egypt at the end of this post.
- 7th of January | COPTIC CHRISTMAS DAY |
- 25th of January | 2011 REVOLUTION DAY | PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 19th of April | COPTIC EASTERN |
- 20th of April| SHAM EL-NESSIM | SPRING FESTIVAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 25th of April | SINAI LIBERATION DAY | PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 1st of May | LABOUR DAY | PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 23rd-25th of May | EID AL-FITR | THE END OF RAMADAN | 3-Days after the end of Ramadan 2020
- 20th of August | EL HIJRA | ISLAMIC NEW YEAR | PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 30th of June | REVOLUTION DAY AGAINST MURSI IN 2013| PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 23th of July | 1952 REVOLUTION DAY | PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 29th of July | ARAFAT DAY | PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 31th of July till 3rd of August | EID AL-ADHA | FEAST OF SACRIFICE | 4-DAYS PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 6th of October | ARMED FORCES DAY | PUBLIC HOLIDAY
- 29th of October | AL-MOULED AL-NABAVY | Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.
What happens in Egypt in 2020? Important dates & my picks for events in all Egypt for 2020
When travelling to Egypt or anywhere, it’s good to know what happens around you, right? If there is a big celebration going on, it’s more interesting if you know why people are celebrating.
In case, you are still planning your Egypt tours or holiday to Egypt, you can make adjustments to your travel itinerary based on this list.
Next: Events in Egypt month by month.
All-year events in Egypt:
LIGHT SHOW IN PYRAMIDS, KARNAK, EDFU, PHILAE & ABU SIMBEL. MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS: https://soundandlight.show/
Events in Egypt in 2020 month by month
JANUARY 2020
EGYPTIAN MARATHON | LUXOR | 17th of January 2020.
HURGHADA MUSEUM OPENING IN 22TH OF JANUARY
REVOLUTION DAY | ALL EGYPT | 25TH OF JANUARY.
25th of January is a public holiday in all Egypt. It’s the day of the Revolution in 2011. In 2011 revolution Egypts’ long ruled president Hosni Mubarak was deposed and he left his Presidential official after being in power for almost 30-years.
FEBRUARY 2020
ABU SIMBEL SUN FESTIVAL | ASWAN EGYPT | 22nd of FEBRUARY 2020
One must place visit in Egypt is Abu Simbel. If are planning Egypt tours in February or October visit Abu Simbel Sun Festival.
Abu Simbel is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Egypt. The sun temple of Abu Simple is built by King Ramses II 1250 B.C. Among with the Sun Temple, there are two other temples built for King himself and his wife Queen Nefertiti.
During Abu Simbel Sun Festival in FEBRUARY AND OCTOBER, the temple will lighten up from inside. The sun lights up the entrance corridor of the temple and three of the four statues at the end of the corridor. Only the statue of Phat (the God of darkness), will remain dark.
After seeing the lightening up of the temple, people gather around to celebrate. There will be eating, dancing and other celebrations.
Ramses II designed his temple to lighten up every year at the same time. Every year it will happen on the 22nd of February and the 22nd of October.
Original dates were 21st of February (RAMSES II throne ascension date and 21st of October (his birthday). Since the temple has been moved by Egyptian authorities in 1964 the dates forwarded for one day.
MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.ask-aladdin.com/egypt-travel-tips/abu-simbel-sun-festival/
NEXT: MARCH IN EGYPT 2020
MARCH 2020
EAZEES | INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL | CAIRO | 23th of March till 29th of March 2020.
Eazees international women’s theatre festival (EIWTF) is a festival concentrating on women issues and exploring them through theatre and stage plays. The festival is held first time in 2020, but it’s planned to be organized yearly.
The programme will consist of 10 both international and Egyptian plays, two each day of the festival.
More information: https://eiwtf.com/
D-CAF | DOWNTOWN CONTEMPORARY ART FESTIVAL | CAIRO | 29th of March till 21st of April 2020.
D-CAF contemporary festival is held in different sites in Cairo Downtown in from 29th of March till 21st of April 2020. It’s a unique contemporary art festival that combines music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature and film.
The aim of the festival is to bring art to the people and connect audience and performances in a new way. There are also workshops and other events.
The festival happens outside of the traditional art venues. During D-CAF You can see performances, events and installations in different sites such as historical buildings and rooftops.
More information, programme, tickets & prices for their website: https://d-caf.org/
APRIL 2020
CAIRO BITES | FOOD FESTIVAL | FAMILY PARK, NEW CAIRO | 10th & 11th of April 2020
The biggest food festival in Egypt. Both local, regional & international foods and drinks.
More information & tickets: https://www.cairobites.com/
3ALGANOOB MUSIC FESTIVAL | Concorde Royal Beach Resort at Ras Sudr | 18-20th of April 2020
A three days long music festival introducing Egyptian modern music artists & bands from different genres.
SHAM EL-NESSIM | ALL EGYPT | 20th of April 2020
Sham El-Nessim (eng. Inhaling the breeze) is celebrated all over Egypt. It’s a national holiday marketing beginning of the spring. Originated from Pharaons traditions and has been celebrated since 2 700 B.C. Though it’s celebrated right after Coptic Eastern, it’s not considered to be a religious event.
During the celebration, people gather together for a picnic to the parks or other green areas. The traditional dishes enjoyed in Sham El-Nessim are salted fish, eggs and onions.
Also, decorating and painting the eggs is a traditional activity done in Sham El-Nessim.
Many Egyptian heads to the beaches and attend different events such as theatre.
MOULID OF ABU EL-HAGGAG | ABU EL-HAGGAG FESTIVAL | LUXOR | Lasts two days and start two weeks before Ramadan (9-11 of May 2020)
Abu El-Haggag is a festival to honour the birth of a man named Abu El-Haggag (Moulid=birth). Abu El-Haggag managed to convince the authorities not to move the mosque inside the Luxor temple. The Mosque is still there and named after him.
The festival is celebrated by all residents in Luxor and close to it. There is a parade going through the city starting from the Temple of Luxor. The parade is filled with boat-shaped floats, music, colours & cheering. The feast is all about celebrating!
To read more and see the pictures from the Parade: An article written by Stephen Ficaloras‘ about experiences of Abu El-Haggag festival in Luxor.
RAMADAN | MUSLIM’S HOLY MONTH | 23rd of April till 23rd of May 2020
In 2020 Ramadan is expected to start on the 23rd of April and finish on the 23rd of May 2020. The days may vary. The holy month of Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. During the Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from sunset to sunrise.
Here is more information about the Ramadan in Egypt and how does it affect on tourists visiting Egypt during the Ramadan:
RAMADAN IN EGYPT | WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
MAY 2020
EID AL-FITR | THE END OF RAMADAN | 3-Days after the end of Ramadan 2020 | From 23-25th of May 2020
Eid Al-Fitr is a big celebration at the end of Ramadan. People gather together to eat and celebrate. For Muslim Children Eid is like a Christmas for Christian kids. Children get new clothes and sweets are eaten a lot.
NEXT: JUNE 2020
JUNE 2020
SANDBOX FESTIVAL | ELECTRIC MUSIC FESTIVAL | EL GOUNA | JUNE 2020 ( DATES NOT RELEASED YET)
Sandbox festival has been held yearly in El Gouna since 2013. It’s an electronic music festival on the beach. In the year 2019, there were over 70 local and international DJ’s performing. If you visit El Gouna during the Sandbox festival, you may hear some noise!
JULY 2020
EID AL-ADHA | FEAST OF SACRIFICE | 30th of July till 3rd or August
Eid Al-Adha is the oldest and the most important feast in Muslim Calender. During the holidays all the public places are filled with people, especially beaches and venues in the evenings.
The holiday for celebrating the commemoration of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to God. It’s also called Eid Al Lahma in Egypt, Eid Al Lahma means meat feast. During the feast, people buy animals such as cows and slaughter them. Some of the meat is donated to the poor people.
Also, during this Eid, helping poor people is important. Food, clothes and money are donated for poor or homeless people.
AUGUST 2020
WAFAA EL-NIL | ALL AROUND EGYPT (CAIRO & NILE VALLEY)| August 2020
Wafaa El-Nil is a celebration for the Nile river. There will be concerts, poetry and family-friendly happenings through the festivals.
NEXT: SEPTEMBER 2020
SEPTEMBER 2020
EL GOUNA FILM FESTIVAL | EL GOUNA | SEPTEMBER (NO CONFIRMED DATES)
El Gouna Film Festival is usually held in September. The dates for 2020 hasn’t been released yet. Let’s hope the Festival will be set up for 2020.
El Gouna film festival (EFF) gathers both Egyptian and International superstars together to celebrate the movie. Add El Gouna to your Egypt tours programme, there is a chance to see Egyptian and international superstars.
OCTOBER 2020
CAIRO JAZZ FESTIVAL | CAIRO | Exact dates for 2020 hasn’t been published.
SIYAHA FESTIVAL | SIWA OASIS | THREE DAYS IN OCTOBER WHEN THE MOON IS FULLEST
The Siyaha Festival is celebrated in Siwa Oasis every year in October when the moon is fullest. The Celebrations lasts for three days. The main idea of the festivals is to celebrate the harvest, settle all old arguments, make peace and honour friendship. People sit down together, eat and pray for three days.
ABU SIMBEL SUN FESTIVAL | ASWAN EGYPT | 21st (22nd) of OCTOBER
Second Abu Simbel Sun Festival will be held on 22nd of October, months after the first one in February. 21st of October is believed to be the birthday of RAMSES II.
AL-MOULED AL-NABAVY | NATIONAL HOLIDAY | 29th of October
Al-Mouled Al-Nabavy also called Moulid El Nabi is Prophet Mohammed’s’ day of birth. It’s celebrated by Muslim all over the world. The day is a national holiday in Egypt. The celebration of Moulid El Nabi starts on the sunset of October 28th of October 2020.
In Egypt, people celebrate Al-Mouled Al-Nabavy with sweets called Halawet Al-Mouled. Also, children get new clothes. Another traditional thing for Egypt is Arouset Al-Mouled, which is the bride shaped doll. The doll is sold in different sizes and shapes.
NOVEMBER
SAHL HASHEESH ENDURANCE FESTIVAL | SAHL HASHEESH | NOVEMBER (NOT EXACT DATES ANNOUNCED)
Sahl Hasheesh endurance festival is usually taken place in November. For the sports fans doing Egypt tours, here is an excellent chance to combine sports & travel. The dates for Sahl Hasheesh endurance in 2020 haven’t been published yet. More information about 2019s’ endurance festival https://www.thetrifactory.com/sahlhasheesh
DECEMBER
December is so far away, that there is nothing announced yet. But I’ll keep the updates on!
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