With has a long and rich history of culture and music festivals, there are many festivals in Egypt that you should know about. Festivals and celebrations have been an important part of the country’s cultural scene for many years.
One of the earliest events in Egypt was the Abu Simbel Festival, which was first held in the 1960s to celebrate the relocation of the Abu Simbel temples during the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
In the 1970s, the Cairo Opera House began hosting the Cairo Opera Festival, which featured classical music performances and quickly became one of the most important cultural events in Egypt. In the following decades, more music festivals emerged in Egypt, including the Arab Music Festival, the Samaa Festival for Sufi Music and Chanting, and the Gouna International Film Festival.
In recent years, the country has also seen the emergence of new music festivals in Egypt that showcase different genres, such as electronic dance music and indie rock. These festivals, some of which are detailed below, have attracted a younger crowd and have helped to bring new energy and creativity to Egypt’s music scene.
Feeding off and growing from the country’s rich history, music festivals continue to be an important part of the country’s cultural heritage and are a testament to the resilience and creativity of its people.
Traveling to Egypt
Tourists from all over the world come to Egypt to attend these music festivals and explore all the incredible scenery, landscapes, historic sites, and places to visit in Egypt. While the majority of people who attend these festivals are Egyptian, there are many tourists who visit ffrom other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region and also a recent increase in the number of tourists from Europe, the US, and Australia.
Most travelers require a visa to enter Egypt. However, the requirements and application process for obtaining a visa may vary depending on the traveler’s country of origin and the purpose and length of their stay.
In general, tourists visiting Egypt for leisure or tourism purposes can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport or other ports of entry. The visa is usually valid for a maximum of 30 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days upon request each month. Here are some more helpful articles about Egypt:
- Top Travel Tips for Egypt to Know Before you Go
- How to Book a Nile River Cruise Affordably
- Things to do in Cairo
- Day Trip to Alexandria from Cairo
Music Festivals in Egypt Not To Be Missed
Here are some of the best Egyptian music festivals to look out for.
Sandbox Festival
When: Mid May
Where: El Gouna, a bougie villa and resort city north of Hurghaha.
Sandbox Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in El Gouna, a seaside resort town on the Red Sea coast of Egypt near Hurghada. El Gouna is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and upscale amenities, making it an ideal location for a beachside music festival.
The festival features a diverse lineup of international and local electronic music DJs, as well as live performers and visual artists. Sandbox Festival was founded in 2014 by a group of music enthusiasts who wanted to bring a new type of music event to Egypt. The festival has since grown in popularity and has become one of the most important electronic music festivals in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Sandbox Festival features a diverse lineup of electronic music DJs and live performers, with a focus on underground and experimental sounds. Past performers include international acts such as Acid Pauli, Adriatique, Black Coffee, Carl Craig, and Dixon, as well as local talents such as Aly B, Hisham Zahran, and Sebzz.
In addition to music, Sandbox Festival also features a range of other activities and experiences for festival-goers to enjoy. These include yoga classes, art installations, food and drink vendors, beach parties, and boat trips.
Chill O’Posite Festival
When: October
Where: All Around Dahab
Chill O’Posite Festival is an annual music and arts festival that takes place in Dahab, one of the most beautful and magical little towns on the East Sinai peninsula known for having lots of expats and a great music, diving, and food sene.
The festival features a lot of live music performances, DJ sets, interactive art installations, and other cultural events as well as incorporating tons of local adventures into the program. It also has a very unique setup in that each day of the festival is in a different place so you can dance by the sea one day and in the rugged desert the next.
Chill O’Posite Festival features a diverse lineup of local and international musicians, DJs, and artists. The festival showcases a mix of different genres, including indie rock, electronic, world music, and more, but has a big focus on techno and organic/tribal beats. Past performers have included acts such as Hot Oasis, Mashrou’ Leila, Hisham Kharma, and El Rass.
Aside from the amazing musical lineup, Chill O’Posite Festival offers plenty of other activities and experiences for attendees. These include workshops, talks, and tons of adventures around Dahab such as diving, freediving, water activities, and hiking. The festival also features a range of food and drink vendors known around Dahab, offering a variety of local and international cuisines.
Dawayer Festival
When: November
Where: Taghagian Island Resort, Siwa Oasis
Dawayer Festival is a tiny intimate gathering on a small resort island in the middle of one of the massive salt lakes of the Siwa Oasis. One of the most unique festivals in Egypt, Dawayer makes it easier to access the incredible Siwa Oasis (a desert oasis known for hot springs and salt lakes 12 hours from Cairo) and explore it while immersing yourself in festivities.
Dawayer is only a few hundred people in size and brings in mostly Egyptians who are into the electronic music scene, many of which are amongst the music scene in Dahab and Cairo. Taghagian Island Resort is an island that takes less than 10 minutes to walk across, and is home to plenty of space to set up tents (or you can rent one) or rent a nice cabana for an extra fee.
The mornings at Dawayer consist of swimming in the central swimming hole, eating the communal meals served a few times a day, and taking place in workshops, yoga, or fun classes like poi spinning, capoeira, or even paper airplane races.
In the evening, the musical lineup comes alive on the one and only stage, making the experience even more intimate. Past headliners have included Husa & Zeyada, Safi, Alan-K, Weam Ismail, Disco Misr, and more artists of all different genres.
Cairo Jazz Festival
When: October/November
Where: Tahrir Cultural Centre, Cairo
One of the best known music festivals in Egypt is the Cairo Jazz Festival, which was founded in 2009 and has since become a major event on the international jazz calendar. The festival attracts jazz musicians and fans from around the world, as well as local talent, and has helped to promote jazz music and culture in Egypt.
The festival features a mix of jazz music performances by local and international artists and is a huge way to gain exposure in the jazz scene for jazz artists from around the world.
The festival takes place throughout various venues throughout Cairo, including Cairo Jazz Club, a few theaters, and even outdoor spaces alongside the main venue of Tahrir Cultral Center. The festival aims to bring jazz music to different parts of the city and showcase Cairo’s rich cultural heritage.
Cairo Jazz Festival hosts a diverse amount of local and international jazz musicians, ranging from established artists to up-and-coming talent. The festival showcases different genres of jazz, including swing, bebop, fusion, and more.
The Cairo Jazz Festival also offers a range of other activities and experiences for attendees. These include workshops, Jazz talks, screenings, and cultural events that explore different aspects of jazz music and culture.
Other Celebrations or Religious and Cultural Festivals in Egypt
In addition to the music festivals mentioned above, with more popping up each year (so many sure to let me know if I missed any), Egypt is home to many cultural festivals and annual celebrations that preserve the country’s traditions through art and gatherings.
Here are the most important festivals happening in Egypt that you should know about:
Coptic Orthodox Christmas
This is a religious festival celebrated by Egypt’s Coptic Christian community on January 7th every year. The celebrations include church services, processions, and feasting on traditional dishes to break a long fast up until this day.
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
This bi-annual festival takes place each year on February 22nd and on October 22nd at the Abu Simbel temples in the south of Egypt, a few hours past Aswan near the Sudanese border.
The festival commemorates the incredible precision of the ancient Egyptians to construct the temple so that the sunlight shines directly on one of the god figures inside the temple just two times a year, which is an incredible signt to see! These temples can be visites as part of a Nile River cruise, which is one of the most amazing things to do in Egypt.
Ramadan
Ramadan is a month-long religious festival observed by Muslims around the world. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and engage in prayer and charitable acts. The dates vary each year based on the Islamic lunar calendar. Recently, Ramadan happens during the month of April but changes often.
Eid Al Fitr
This is a three-day celebration in Egypt that marks the end of Ramadan. Eid Al Fitr is one of the festival in Egypt giving time for family and community gatherings, feasting, and exchanging gifts.
The date for Eid Al Fitr also varies every year, as it marks the end of Ramadan. While it’s not always advisable to visit Egypt during Ramadan due to a lot of schedules changing and less going on, visiting Egypt during Eid would be a great cultural experience.
Eid al-Adha
Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, Eid al Adha is another important Muslim festival that commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It is usually expected to be celebrated in June or July.
El Hijra (Islamic New Year)
This Egyptian festival marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar and is celebrated with prayers, reflection, time spent with family, and special meals. Like the other Egyptian religious festivals the date changes each year.
Moulid Al-Nabi (Prophet’s Birthday)
This is a religious festival that celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. It is celebrated with street processions, poetry readings, and feasting. The date for this festival also varies based on the Islamic calendar but has recently been around September or October.
Wafaa Al Nil (Flooding of the Nile)
This festival celebrates the annual flooding of the Nile River, which has historically been a vital source of irrigation and agricultural productivity for Egypt. It starts from August 15th for two weeks. The Nile doesn;t flood the same since the construction of the Aswan Dam, but the festival is still important.
Sham Al Naseem
This is a spring Egyptian festival that marks the beginning of the agricultural season and new life/hope, translating to ‘smelling the breeze.’ It is celebrated with picnics, outdoor games, and traditional foods. This festival is celebrated in late april or early May usually.
The Sphinx Festival
The Sphinx festival celebrates the ancient Egyptian civilization and folklore, and its iconic Sphinx statue. It includes a variety of cultural events, performances, and exhibitions going on in El Gouna usually between November and December.
Festival of Leylet en Nuktah
Leylet en Nuktah is another of the festivals in Egypt that aligns with the flooding of the Nile. It’s celebrated with different traditions and with picnics along the Nile River each June.
Alexandria International Film Festival
This is an annual film festival that showcases international and Egyptian films in Alexandria. It is a great opportunity for film enthusiasts to explore different cultures and perspectives and see some new emerging work. The dates for this festival vary every year and are announced closer to the event.
If you enjoy music, culture, history, and unique experiences, then attending one or more of these festivals in Egypt can be a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and have a memorable trip to Egypt.
Egypt is home to a rich history and diverse culture, and these events offer a unique opportunity to experience this culture in a lively and engaging way. From Egyptian music festivals like the Sandbox Festival and Cairo Jazz Festival to cultural events like Coptic Orthodox Christmas and Moulid Al-Nabi, there are plenty of opportunities to explore and celebrate the traditions of Egypt.
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