English
Français 
Public Holidays in Egypt: 10 Celebrations & Traditions to Know
Public holidays in Egypt reflect several layers of the country’s identity: Islamic festivals, Coptic Christian traditions, ancient seasonal customs and modern national commemorations. For travelers, knowing what each celebration means—and whether businesses, banks or attractions may change their hours—can make a real difference to an Egypt itinerary.
Egypt Public Holidays in 2026: Official Dates at a Glance
Egypt’s Presidency publishes the official national-holiday calendar. For 2026, the listed days off include religious, seasonal and national occasions. Some commemorations are observed on a different weekday from their historical date, so travelers should check the official calendar rather than assuming the day off always falls on the anniversary itself.
2026 official day off |
Holiday / occasion |
Type |
|---|---|---|
January 7 | Coptic Christmas Day | Religious |
January 29 | January 25 Revolution & National Police Day | National |
March 19–23 | Eid al-Fitr holiday period | Religious |
April 13 | Sham el-Nessim | Seasonal |
April 25 | Sinai Liberation Day | National |
May 7 | Day off for Labor Day | National |
May 26 | Arafat Day | Religious |
May 27–31 | Eid al-Adha holiday period | Religious |
June 18 | Islamic New Year holiday | Religious |
July 2 | Day off for June 30 Revolution | National |
July 23 | July 23 Revolution Day | National |
August 27 | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | Religious |
October 6 | Armed Forces Day | National |
Coptic Christmas — January 7
Coptic Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7 and is one of Egypt’s official national holidays. The religious celebration culminates in Christmas Eve liturgy, after which families gather for festive meals following the Nativity fast.
For travelers, the holiday is an opportunity to understand Egypt’s Coptic Christian heritage, but churches are active places of worship rather than tourist venues during major services. Respect dress requirements, photography rules and congregation space.
If Coptic history is part of your Cairo itinerary, see our Old Cairo churches guide .
Ramadan in Egypt
Ramadan is one of the most atmospheric times of the year in Egypt, but it is important to describe it accurately: Ramadan itself is not a month-long public holiday. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, while evenings become social and lively with iftar meals, suhoor, mosque prayers, lanterns and street decorations.
For visitors, the daily rhythm changes. Some businesses adjust hours, traffic can intensify before sunset, and restaurants may become especially busy around iftar.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Families gather, children often receive gifts or money, special sweets are shared and public spaces become busy with outings and celebrations.
If you are traveling during Eid, book transport and popular hotels early because domestic travel can increase significantly.
Sham el-Nessim — Egypt’s Spring Celebration
Sham el-Nessim is one of Egypt’s most distinctive seasonal celebrations. It falls on the Monday after Coptic Orthodox Easter and is observed nationally as a public holiday.
Families traditionally spend time outdoors in gardens, parks and along the Nile. Foods commonly associated with the day include colored eggs, green onions and salted fish such as feseekh.
For tourists, the most noticeable effect is how busy parks, waterfronts and family recreation areas can become. It is an excellent day for observing local social life, but less ideal for a tightly timed itinerary that depends on quiet public spaces.
Holiday Travel Can Affect Trips Beyond Cairo
Long weekends and major Eid periods can increase domestic travel across Egypt. If your itinerary includes remote destinations, reserve transport and accommodation earlier than usual and keep some flexibility around transfer times.
This matters even more for destinations that depend on long road journeys or organized excursions. Confirm your bookings before the holiday period begins instead of relying on last-minute availability.
Sinai Liberation Day — April 25
Sinai Liberation Day commemorates the restoration of Egyptian sovereignty over Sinai in 1982 following the peace process after the 1973 war. It is marked as a national public holiday.
Travelers usually experience the day through official commemorations and altered government or banking hours rather than through a nationwide street festival.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is one of the most important Islamic festivals and follows Arafat Day during the Hajj season. Families attend prayer, gather for meals and share sacrificial meat with relatives and people in need.
It is one of the longer holiday periods on Egypt’s calendar, so domestic travel, family visits and transport demand can increase.
Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of Muharram and the Hijri calendar. Its Gregorian date changes each year because the Islamic calendar is lunar.
It is generally quieter than Eid celebrations, but it remains an official holiday and can affect government and banking hours.
July 23 Revolution Day
July 23 commemorates the 1952 Revolution and is officially listed as a national public holiday. It is more accurate to call it July 23 Revolution Day than to label it simply as Egypt’s “National Day.”
Mawlid al-Nabi
Mawlid marks the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. In Egypt, sweets are strongly associated with the occasion, alongside religious gatherings and local traditions. The Gregorian date moves annually with the Islamic calendar.
Armed Forces Day — October 6
October 6 commemorates the start of the 1973 October War. The current official holiday name is Armed Forces Day. Commemorative events, patriotic programming and official ceremonies may take place around the anniversary.
Why October 6 Matters in Egypt’s Modern Calendar
The October 6 holiday is connected to the 1973 war and has a strong place in modern Egyptian national memory. For visitors, it is useful to understand the historical meaning without assuming that every city will hold a large public parade or street festival.
Official commemorations vary by year. Museums, cultural institutions and media programming may mark the anniversary, while government offices and other institutions follow the declared holiday schedule.
Other Official Holidays Travelers Should Know
A list of 10 major celebrations does not cover every paid national holiday. Egypt’s current official calendar also includes January 25 Revolution & National Police Day, Labor Day and the June 30 Revolution. Their official day off may be shifted by government decision.
How Public Holidays Can Affect Your Egypt Trip
- Banks and government offices may close on official holidays.
- Domestic transport can be busier around Eid periods.
- Some attractions may adjust hours, especially around religious occasions.
- Restaurants can be very busy at sunset during Ramadan.
- Parks and Nile promenades are especially crowded on Sham el-Nessim.
- Book trains, flights and popular hotels earlier around long holiday weekends.
- Confirm opening hours directly rather than relying on an old travel blog.
- Respect worshippers and avoid intrusive photography during religious services.
For everyday customs such as restaurant, guide and driver gratuities, see our tipping culture in Egypt guide . If you are planning evenings during Ramadan or a festive period, our Egypt nightlife and Nile cruise guide can also help.
Check Attraction Hours Around Public Holidays
Major archaeological attractions often remain open during public holidays, but operating hours, transport arrangements and visitor demand can change. Check the official information shortly before your visit, especially if the site requires a long transfer or an early departure.
The same rule applies to organized day trips: confirm pickup times and availability in advance during Eid periods and long public-holiday weekends.
Is Ramadan a Good Time to Visit Egypt?
Yes, if you understand the daily rhythm. Historic areas such as Islamic Cairo can be particularly atmospheric after sunset, with lanterns, family gatherings and busy evening streets. At the same time, travelers should expect some opening-hour changes and heavy traffic before iftar.
For a cultural itinerary in Cairo, you can combine the Ramadan atmosphere with the historic streets covered in our Islamic Cairo attractions guide .
Frequently Asked Questions About Egypt Public Holidays
How many public holidays does Egypt have?
The number of official days off varies because multi-day Eid holidays and shifted government days off change the annual calendar. Always use Egypt’s official yearly holiday list for exact dates.
Is Ramadan a public holiday in Egypt?
No. Ramadan is a month of fasting and major cultural importance, but the entire month is not a public holiday. Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan is an official holiday.
When is Coptic Christmas in Egypt?
Coptic Christmas Day is celebrated on January 7 and is an official national public holiday.
Does Egypt celebrate Christmas on December 25?
Some communities and hotels mark December 25, but Egypt’s official Coptic Christmas public holiday is January 7.
When is Sham el-Nessim?
Sham el-Nessim falls on the Monday following Coptic Orthodox Easter, so its Gregorian date changes from year to year.
Are tourist attractions closed on Egyptian public holidays?
Not necessarily. Major tourist sites may remain open, but opening hours and services can change. Verify current information with the attraction or your tour operator before visiting.
Do Islamic holiday dates change every year?
Yes. Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year and Mawlid follow the Hijri lunar calendar, so their Gregorian dates move each year.
Plan Your Egypt Trip Around Local Celebrations
Traveling during Ramadan, Eid, Coptic Christmas or another major holiday can add cultural depth to your itinerary when the schedule is planned correctly. Alacart Travel Egypt can help arrange private tours around your dates, attraction hours and preferred travel pace.