When Christmas comes to mind, one will often think of snowy mornings and evenings lit by twinkling festive lights. But have you ever wondered what it’s like to celebrate Christmas in Egypt? Being home to one of the earliest Christian communities in the world, Christmas in Egypt holds a special significance due to the country’s Coptic identity and history. So, if you happen to be traveling to Egypt in the holidays, buckle up and let me tell you all about it. 

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About Christmas in Egypt

The Christian population in Egypt makes up about 10%, with the majority of which are Coptic Orthodox Christians. Other Christian sects include Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox, Anglicans, and Armenians. That means that Christmas in Egypt is actually celebrated twice – once on January 7th as the majority follows the Julian calendar, while the others celebrate on December 25th as they follow the Gregorian calendar like in the west.

What Christmas in Egypt Looks Like

Christmas may not be widely celebrated here; however, like I previously mentioned, it holds a major cultural significance. Aside from church services, masses, and religious rituals, the festive vibes take over streets and public spaces as well. So, expect to see Christmas trees and decorations at airports, malls, storefronts, and restaurants. Lots of Egyptians also decorate their homes starting December, regardless of their religious backgrounds. 

Personally, Christmas has always been part of my life growing up. We celebrated the holiday in school, since I was in Kindergarten – we’d have plays, carnivals, gingerbread cookies, and Santa would come over. Even at home, putting up the Christmas tree with my family had always been a tradition, so when I moved out and had a place of my own, I had to have my own tree! And as I grew up, Christmas dinners with friends of all faiths, along with a fun game of Secret Santa, became a thing.

One of my favorite things about growing up in Egypt is that me and my friends have always celebrated each others’ holidays together. Be it Christmas, Ramadan, or Eid, we’d all get together and enjoy it together. 

Festive Things to Do at Christmas in Egypt

Christmas in Cairo, Egypt

If you’re spending Christmas in Egypt, given that it’s the capital city, Cairo’s where you’ll most likely experience the holiday spirit. Here are a few festive things you can do over Christmas break:

#1 Visit the iconic churches of Cairo 

Believe it or not, there are many wonderful historical churches and cathedrals in Cairo that are worth visiting if you’re spending Christmas in Egypt. I highly recommend you spend a day touring Coptic Cairo, also known as Old Cairo, the neighborhood where the 3 Abrahamic religions meet. It’s referred to as Coptic Cairo as it’s believed that this is where the holy family have taken shelter as they fled to Egypt. So, by visiting, you’d be seeing parts of the famed Holy Family trail. There, you can visit some of Cairo’s iconic religious sites, including the Hanging Church, St. George’s Church, and the Coptic Museum.

In addition to exploring Coptic Cairo, you can’t miss paying a visit to St. Simon “the Tanner” Monastery. This Cairene hidden gem (literally), also widely known as the Cave Church, is the largest church in the Middle East. Nestled in the heart of Mokattam Hill; hence the name, in the Zabbaleen City area, this architectural masterpiece dates back to the 10th century. But heads up, Zabbaleen City, Arabic for “garbage city”, is literally a garbage collection and recycling neighborhood. So, expect a terrible smell on your ride to the Cave Church, but it’s totally worth it!

#2 Stroll through Christmas markets

The most festive vibes will most likely be at Christmas markets. However, unlike Christmas markets in Europe, and other destinations, markets in Egypt are slightly different. Instead of markets that last the entire holiday season, Christmas markets in Egypt tend to be 1-day or 2-day events. But don’t fret, there are plenty of those!

If you’re spending Christmas in Egypt, here are a few ways to find pop-up Christmas markets in Cairo:

• Keep an eye on the social media accounts of popular event organizers such as Cairo Flea Market, Bazarna Pop-Up Society, or Miss Basket Events.
• You might also want to check out the social media accounts of prominent malls and commercial complexes like District 5, Arkan Plaza, or Walk of Cairo. 
• Follow the social media accounts of big lifestyle magazines and online directories that often publish compilations of events and happenings. Those include CairoScene, Scene Now Events, Cairo Nights Out, and Cairo360.
• Check out community groups on Facebook where people will most likely be posting about Christmas markets or seasonal fairs. 

#3 Attend Winter Wonderland

Christmas in Egypt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Zed Park’s famed Winter Wonderland, an annual carnival packed with festive lights and decorations, themed rides, live entertainment, and more. There, you can browse their pop-up markets, enjoy their ice-skating rink, and savor Christmas treats. The vibes are absolutely magical that I’ve turned this into a year tradition to go and win myself a stuffed toy – I seriously don’t think I’m too old for that.

Just make sure to check Zed Park’s schedule in December as the carnival’s dates often change. 

#4 Check out the Cairo Opera House’s schedule

Hit two birds with one stone by visiting the iconic Cairo Opera House and attending a Christmas event at the same time. Check their December and January calendars as they usually host Christmas music events, as well as ballets like The Nutcracker. The latter is my personal favorite activity to do during Christmas in Egypt!

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#5 Look up festive dining experiences

Many luxury hotels in Cairo, like the Four Seasons, the Nile Ritz-Carlton, or Marriott Zamalek, often host Christmas dinners and brunches. So, make sure to check out their websites and social media accounts.

Christmas in Other Egyptian Destinations

On the other hand, don’t expect major holiday vibes if you’re traveling to other destinations around the country. Festive vibes are more likely to be apparent in big cities like Cairo and Alexandria; however, there aren’t really holiday-related activities in smaller towns. You might see a Christmas tree here and some decorations there if you go to a resort town like El Gouna or Sharm El Sheikh, but not much more. 

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Practical Travel Tips for Christmas in Egypt

• Book your accommodation early! Christmas in Egypt is a high-season holiday for tourists, and hotels in popular destinations like Cairo, Luxor, or Aswan will most likely fill up quickly. So, make sure you plan your trip and reserve well in advance to secure good rates. 
• Pack for varying temperatures depending on the destinations you’re including in your itinerary. Winter in Egypt is cold, but still much warmer than in Western destinations, so don’t pack for a White Christmas. 
• As I mentioned before, Christmas events may be announced last minute, so you better keep an eye on prominent Egyptian social media accounts. 
• Don’t miss out on the Egyptian festive treats, kahk, which are special cookies Egyptians have during religious holidays such as Christmas and Eid. You can find those at local pastry shops.

In a Nutshell…

Christmas in Egypt is a unique experience, offering an unexpected fusion of cultural significance, religious rituals, and festive cheer. So, if you’re planning to spend your Christmas break in Egypt, don’t forget to pin this guide for an unforgettable trip. Merry Christmas in advance!

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