Public Holidays in Egypt
Visitors can enjoy anyone of the following special events and pubic holidays in Egypt. Click on the month itself for more details of the weather during this period, and the special events and public holidays taking place.
January
1st January New Year – Although Islamic new year falls on another date, the Gregorian new Year is still celebrated which much fervour. However government offices and businesses remain open.
7th January Egyptian Coptic Christmas – Like Russian Orthodox Christians, Egypt’s Coptic Christian population celebrate Christmas day on 7th January. Although the vast majority of the country is Muslim, the Christmas period is still evident in the country, albeit far less commercially than it is in the west.
25th January Egypt Police Day – A day to celebrate the Egyptian Police Force, where government offices and ministries are closed.
On this day in 2011 the protests began which would ultimately lead to the resignation of Hosni Mubarak (read about the timeline on the revolution). It's fairly safe to assume that this day will be celebrated for the revolution in years to come.
February
26th February 2011 The Birth of the Prophet Mohammed – The most famous of all Egyptian Moulids (meaning birthday in Arabic) is the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed which falls on the 3rd Month of the Islamic calendar each year. In 2011 this will be the 26th February. Moulid El Naby as it is known in Arabic is a time of great festivities with each town staging carnivals and street parades, and families coming together to enjoy them. Certainly one of the most colourful public holidays in Egypt.
March
3rd March Egyptian Sportsman day – A day to celebrate sport and all that those that play it. Not a public holiday in Egypt.
21st March Mothers day - Egyptian Mothers' Day
April
25th April Sinai Liberation Day - Sinai Liberation Day celebrates the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Sinai Peninsular (after 15 years of occupation) in 1982 as a result of the Camp David Agreements and the peace treaty signed between Israel and Egypt.
25th April 2011 Sham al Naseem – The day that Egypt’s Coptic Christian population celebrate Easter in Egypt. Although the date changes depending on the lunar calendar, it always falls sometime between March and April. This is the most important date in the Coptic calendar, and mass is held to signify the end of a period of fasting during which time Copts consume only a vegan diet.
May
1st May Labour Day - Public Holiday
June
18th June Egypt Evacuation Day - Know as 'Eid El Galaa' in Arabic, this day commemorates the evacuation of foreign troops from the country, and Egypt’s sustained independence for the first time since the days of the Pharoahs. A widely celebrated occasion but not an official public holiday.
July
23 July Egypt Revolution Day – National holiday celebrating the 1952 revolution against the British.
August
11th August 2011 Ramadan – The most important month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan celebrates the time that the Holy Koran first began to be revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. This is the event most likely to impact on your trip. Find out how. Egypt during Ramadan.
15 August Flooding the Nile – Known as 'Wafaa El Nil' in Arabic, this event celebrates the start of an important cycle that has been honoured since ancient times.
September
11th August until 10th September Ramadan – The most important month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan celebrates the time that the Holy Koran first began to be revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. This is the event most likely to impact on your trip. Find out how. Egypt during Ramadan
10th September 2010 Eid Al Fitr – The feast that celebrates the end of the month of Ramadan.
11th September 2010 Coptic New Year according to the 13 month Coptic Calendar marked by the Feast of Neyrouz.
October
6th October Armed Forces Day – A national holiday celebrating Egypt’s recapture of the Suez Canal from Israeli occupation during the Yom Kipur October War of 1973.
21st October Egypt Naval Day – Celebrates the sinking of the Israeli War Ship ‘Eilat’ during the 1967 Six Day War. Not an official national holiday.
24th October Suez Day – Celebrates the resistance of local citizens in Suez during the October War. Not a national holiday.
November
14th to 18th November 2010 The Haj - The Haj is the Arabic name given to the pilgrimage to Mecca, a journey each Muslim is expected to make at least once in his/her life.
If you’re travelling by boat between Egypt and Jordan during this period expect to find crowds of Pilgrims especially on the slow boats on route to Saudi Arabia via Jordan.
Book tickets and hotels early if possible.
17th November 2010 The Grand Feast – Known as the Eid Al Adha in Arabic, the Grand Feast marks the end of the Haj pilgrimage and Abraham's submission to God.
The date of the feast is dependent on the lunar calendar and therefore varies with each passing year.
The grand feast is one of the most important dates in the Islamic Calendar and lasts for four days.
December
7th December 2010 Islamic New Year – New Year as dictated by the lunar calendar.
23rd December 2010 Victory Day – Celebrates the end of the Suez Crisis (1956) when the Israelis - backed by the French and British - were forced to withdraw from the Suez region under US pressure. More profoundly however it signified the end of European colonial power in the region.
