EGYPT EVENTS:

January

Christian-Essentially Christian, the Copts celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January. Plenty of color can be seen in the Coptic Quarter of Cairo throughout December and January in preparation for the celebrations.

February

22^nd Abu Simbel Festival- the temple of Abu Simbel provides one of the most spectacular sights in the world. Accomplished through the combined use of natural phenomena and ingenious human effort this temple is angled in such a way that it’s inner sanctum lights up in honor of Ramses II’s ascension to the throne and on his birthday. Both events fall on the 22nd day of October and February respectively.

April

Shem al Nessim The first day of Spring is called Shem al Nessim, meaning "sniffing the breeze," and is celebrated throughout Egypt on the Monday after Coptic Easter. The day is celebrated by picnics and outdoor activities.

May

South Sinai Camel Festival- This festival gives all travelers a chance to change their opinion regarding camels being slow plodders. The most speediest and bumpiest racing of all, takes place at Sharm El-Sheikh.

August

24th-31^st Art Festival: A weeklong party is held in Ismailia as a celebration of colorful folkloric art from Africa, Europe and Asia. This festival is said to be the greatest art festival in the Arab world.

October

Abu Simbel Festival-Temple of Abu Simbel once again lights up on the 22nd of October in celebration of Ramses II’s birthday. The magnificent Abu Simbel pyramid can be seen in all its splendor in these shows, held in seven different languages (Arabic, Russian, Japanese, English, French, Spanish, and German)

RELIGIOUS EVENTS

Eid al Fitr- This event signals the end of the month long fasting period of the Muslims. Revelers fill the streets after a cannon has tolled the arrival of dusk and the end of the month of Ramadan.

Eid al Adhha- On this day, Muslims commemorate Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son Isaac. Most households sacrifice a sheep

and distribute the meat amongst the poor.

Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad- Revelries and celebrations mark the holy day of the Prophet’s birthday . Parades and decorations can be seen in all major towns and cities, with children receiving special sweets for the occasion.

*Religious events are mostly Islamic and subject to appearance of the moon.