Summary
If you are wondering how to celebrate Christmas in Egypt, you are in for an extraordinary experience that blends deep historical roots with warm, modern festivities. Unlike the traditional December 25th celebrations common in the West, the primary Christmas celebration in Egypt is closely tied to the ancient Coptic calendar. This creates a unique holiday season that stretches well into January, making it a perfect time to book our Egypt Christmas and New Year tour packages.
The ultimate guide on how to celebrate Christmas in Egypt always starts with understanding the local culture. From brilliantly decorated trees in major hotels and streets to solemn midnight masses in centuries-old churches, the atmosphere is electric. While enjoying the mild, sunny winter weather, visitors can explore iconic monuments while soaking in the festive spirit. For more general travel inspiration, you can always check the official Egypt tourism website.
Coptic Traditions and Spiritual Rites

To truly understand how to celebrate Christmas in Egypt, you must look at the traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The faithful engage in a strict 43-day fast leading up to the holiday, abstaining from all animal products. The spiritual climax occurs on the evening of January 6th, when majestic midnight masses are held across the country. The official holiday on January 7th marks the end of this fast and the joyous beginning of the feast.
Part of knowing how to celebrate Christmas in Egypt is experiencing this beautiful blend of religion and community. Many of the oldest churches are located in Historic Cairo (UNESCO), which you can explore through our dedicated Cairo and Giza tours. While the Western history of the holiday focuses heavily on December 25th, the Egyptian celebration offers a profound, extended season of joy.
The Egyptian Christmas Feast

A major highlight of how to celebrate Christmas in Egypt is the grand feast that breaks the 43-day fast. On the morning of January 7th, Egyptian families gather around tables overflowing with rich, traditional dishes. Because they have abstained from meat for over a month, the centerpiece of the Christmas banquet is usually a meticulously roasted lamb or chicken, accompanied by a medley of locally sourced, spiced vegetables and traditional Fatteh (a dish of rice, bread, and garlic-vinegar meat soup).
Most luxury hotels and resorts cater brilliantly to international guests during this time. On our luxury Egypt tours, you will find lavish gala dinners on both December 24th and January 6th, ensuring that no matter when you observe the holiday, you will be treated to a world-class culinary experience wrapped in legendary Egyptian hospitality.
Exploring Egypt During the Holidays

Learning how to celebrate Christmas in Egypt is just the beginning; combining it with world-class sightseeing makes it the trip of a lifetime. The winter months offer the most comfortable weather for exploring the ancient temples of Upper Egypt. A popular holiday tradition for international visitors is spending Christmas Day floating down the river on our premium Nile cruises, enjoying a festive dinner with a backdrop of timeless ruins.
Now that you know how to celebrate Christmas in Egypt, it is time to turn those plans into reality. According to travel experts like Lonely Planet, winter is the peak season for Egyptian tourism, so booking early is essential. Browse our comprehensive Egypt travel packages or contact our travel team today to design a magical, custom-tailored holiday adventure.
Two Christmases: 25 December and 7 January
Egypt celebrates Christmas twice. Most Egyptian Christians belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church, which follows the old Julian calendar and celebrates Christmas on 7 January, a national public holiday in Egypt. Catholic and Protestant churches, the many foreign residents, and the hotels and Nile cruise ships that welcome visitors celebrate on 25 December. If you travel between late December and early January, you can enjoy both: a festive dinner on the 25th and the Coptic celebrations a fortnight later. See the dates in our Coptic Christmas event guide.
8-Day Cairo, Siwa and White & Black Desert Adventure
Planning the trip itself? Start here.
View This TripThe Advent Fast and the Midnight Mass
Copts prepare with a fast of 43 days, starting late in November, during which they eat no meat, eggs or dairy. On the evening of 6 January churches fill for the Christmas Eve liturgy, which runs late into the night and is led by the Coptic Pope in a service broadcast across the country. Afterwards families break the fast together with fatta, layers of bread, rice and meat with garlic and vinegar, and plates of festive biscuits. Visitors are welcome to attend a service respectfully: dress modestly, and expect crowds in the big city churches.
Christmas on 25 December: Hotels, Cruises and Galas
For travellers, 25 December feels like Christmas in any warm city: hotels and Nile cruise ships put up trees and lights, serve festive dinners and organise gala evenings, and the malls of Cairo are decorated for the season. Spending Christmas on the Nile is a favourite: see a Nile cruise at Christmas. Then stay on for New Year’s Eve in Egypt, with the celebration at the Giza Pyramids.
Weather and Booking at Christmas
Late December is Egypt’s high season. Days are mild and sunny, around 19–21°C in Cairo and 23–25°C in Luxor and Aswan, with chilly evenings, especially in the desert, so bring a warm layer (see Egypt in December and Egypt in January). Hotels, flights and Nile cruises fill up early and festive supplements apply, so book two to three months ahead. Compare our Christmas and New Year tours, from five-day Cairo and Luxor trips to Nile cruises.































