The essentials
- Weekend: Friday and Saturday.
- Moving festivals: Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, Mawlid; dates to confirm each year.
- Fixed holidays: Coptic Christmas (7 January), 25 January, 25 April (Sinai Liberation), 1 May, 30 June, 23 July, 6 October.
- Effect for you: heavy crowds and higher prices at Eid; reduced hours during Ramadan; museums and sites open most of the time.
Estimated calendar for 2027
| Estimated date | Holiday | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| 7 January | Coptic Christmas | day off, Christian restaurants celebrate |
| 25 January | Revolution and Police Day | national holiday |
| around 8 February | Start of Ramadan (about 30 days) | shifted hours, alcohol restricted in some places |
| around 9-10 March | Eid al-Fitr (3 to 4 days) | peak crowds, full buses |
| 25 April | Sinai Liberation Day | day off |
| 1 May | Labour Day | day off |
| 2 May (Orthodox Easter), 3 May | Sham el-Nessim | picnics and crowded beaches |
| around 15-17 May | Eid al-Adha (4 days) | maximum crowds, high hotel rates |
| around 6 June | Islamic New Year | day off |
| 30 June, 23 July | Revolution holidays | day off |
| around 14-15 August | Mawlid (Prophet's birthday) | day off |
| 6 October | Armed Forces Day | day off |
What closes, what stays open
Hotels, beaches, restaurants in tourist areas and tourist sites stay open, sometimes with reduced hours. Banks, administrations and some shops close during holidays. During Ramadan, local restaurants open mostly after sunset; see Ramadan in Hurghada. Museums and the Grand Egyptian Museum may have different hours during festivals.
Travelling during festivals
- Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha: Egyptians and Gulf tourists fill Hurghada. Book hotels and excursions well ahead; rates rise.
- Sham el-Nessim: spring festival the day after Orthodox Easter, beaches and gardens full; see Sham el-Nessim in Hurghada.
- Coptic Christmas and New Year: see Christmas in Hurghada and New Year in Hurghada.
- Ramadan: quieter by day, lively in the evening; see Ramadan in Hurghada.
How to choose your dates
To avoid crowds and high prices, travel outside the two Eids, and favour October to April for the climate: see the best time to visit Hurghada. If you visit Cairo or Luxor during a festival, book a guided visit to avoid queues: see Cairo by plane from Hurghada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weekend in Egypt? Friday and Saturday.
Are the Eid dates fixed? No, they follow the lunar calendar and are confirmed a few days before.
Do tourist sites close during festivals? Generally not, but hours may change.
When to travel to avoid crowds? Outside the Eids and Sham el-Nessim, preferably from October to April.
