Christmas in Egypt: Complete Guide to Egypt at Christmas

Christmas in Egypt is not celebrated on a particular day as it is in many western countries. A part of Egypt’s Coptic Christians – the largest Christian group in the country, dating back to the earliest days of Christianity – marks the holiday on January 7th, according to the Julian calendar. December 25th is also observed as Christmas Day throughout Egypt, especially in Cairo’s international hotels, churches, and other places of worship, as well as tourist destinations.

If you are considering visiting Egypt during Christmas and need help planning your trip, Egypt Travel Packages can suggest some options. The most popular tour covers Cairo, the Nile, and other ancient cities and is available as a 12-day Egypt Vacation package.

Egypt at Christmas is influenced largely by Coptic tradition, as Egypt's Christian population (concentrated, but not entirely located in Cairo) follows a unique set of traditions leading up to January 7th. Many Copts fast before the holiday, avoiding meat and dairy for several weeks before the feast, then break their fast in a festive meal on Christmas Eve.

Midnight mass services on January 6th into the morning hours of the 7th are attended by many, especially in Cairo's Coptic Orthodox churches, including St. Mark's Cathedral, home of one of Egypt's largest Christian populations. Visitors hoping to get a taste of the local flavor during the popular holiday should be prepared to see few commercial aspects to the day, unlike the Christmas season in many Western countries; the Coptic tradition is a somber, pious one, far from the shopping malls and Christmas trees.

Cairo has a festive feel in the weeks around both Christmas dates, particularly in areas with a large expatriate or Christian population. International hotels and malls deck themselves out and some restaurants have special Christmas menus around December 25th, with the capital having a more toned-down version of Western Christmas, as well as its own Coptic traditions.

Coptic Cairo, home to some of Egypt's oldest churches, is especially worth visiting during this time, but travelers with the interest of exploring the district and its churches beyond the festive season will find our Egypt Travel Guide helpful to get a general sense on how to explore Cairo, and how the different neighborhoods in Egypt are best explored.

Our Cairo City guide provides more information on this for those traveling to Egypt with more time to explore during the Christmas and New Year's season.

December and January are among the mildest periods in terms of weather for a Nile cruise tour, which is why they offer great value for a river cruise between Luxor and Aswan. The boats are often decorated for the occasion, and some even host special events to celebrate the New Year’s on board. This makes it a festive opportunity for a tour based on exploring ancient temples and enjoying the scenery along the river.

The Egypt Nile Cruise Package includes this type of cruise as part of its offerings, which can be seen as a combination of a convenient stay during the warm season and a holiday-themed experience on board.

Luxor and Aswan enjoy consistently high numbers of visitors through December and January, as this is the warmest time of the year to explore the open-air wonders such as Karnak Temple or Valley of the Kings. Our Luxor Town guide will help you to get familiar with Egypt's East and West Bank with its wealth of ancient history and attractions for those visiting during this peak season.

Aswan, located further down the Nile, maintains its laid-back pace even during the busiest winter months, making it the perfect place to take a felucca sunset cruise or explore Philae Temple, both of which pair nicely with the relaxed vibe that Aswan is known for. Our Aswan City guide will give you an insight into what to do and see in this historic city for those extending their trip south from Luxor.

Coastal resorts like Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh also witness an influx of tourists during the Christmas period, partly because of the pleasant weather on the coast this time of year, but also because many European tourists tend to extend their own Christmas holidays by a trip to the Red Sea. Hotels and resorts along the coast often have their own Christmas and New Year's event, which is a great alternative to the more historic Christmas events in Cairo for beach lovers.

Coptic Christmas is associated with a specific dish prepared for Christmas Eve following the pre-Christmas fast. The fast is traditionally followed by a family meal, where food is primarily focused on meat and dairy products, which are given up during fasting. Thus, fatta, a dish made of rice, bread, and meat, seasoned with garlic and vinegar, is served. A variety of other dishes are also prepared as part of the meal, which is considered a celebration of the end of the challenging period of fasting.

If a foreigner wishes to participate in the Coptic Christmas, he or she can do that while in Egypt. However, in many hotels, a Christmas menu is set for that day, which is tailored to Western tastes. Therefore, depending on a specific location and time, there is a possibility of experiencing both traditions, since the menu can include both traditional Egyptian dishes and local specialties.

December and January can be cool evenings in Egypt, Cairo and along the Nile especially, so it is worth including a light jacket or sweater for morning and evening excursions. Modest clothing is advised when visiting churches during Coptic Christmas services. Similar to what is expected in mosques.

Those visiting a Coptic Christmas service are advised to turn up well before midnight as churches, such as St. Mark's Cathedral, are likely to be crowded. It is also worth booking Nile cruises and Red Sea resorts in advance as this is a popular time for both.

1- When is Christmas Day Celebrated in Egypt ?

The country's Coptic Christians observe Christmas Day on January 7th on a Julian calendar. However, December 25th is also a public holiday in hotels and among expatriates.

2- Is Egypt a good place to visit around Christmas ?

December 2022 and January 2023 are generally the best months to explore Egypt, with pleasant temperatures for exploring the Nile Valley and Cairo. It is an excellent time to visit regardless of which Christmas day you decide to spend.

3- What is Coptic Christmas Day like in Cairo ?

Coptic Christmas Day is mostly observed with a vigil service beginning on December 6 th at midnight and finishing on the seventh day. Christmas Day is a family celebration that entails eating together after fasting for more than two weeks. The most visited churches during the holiday season, including St. Mark's Cathedral, are crowded on Christmas Eve and Day.

4- Are Nile river cruises available during the Christmas holiday season?

Yes, River Cruises in Egypt run year-round, including Christmas, with holiday decorations in the cabins and entertainment on New Year's Eve.

5- What do I need to pack for Egypt at Christmas?

You might want to bring a light jacket or sweater for the cool evenings and mornings. During Coptic Christmas, you will most likely be visiting churches, so dressing modestly is recommended.