Summary
In 2027 Egypt celebrates Easter twice. Western Easter falls on 28 March, and Coptic Orthodox Easter, celebrated by Egypt’s Christians, on 2 May, followed the next day by Sham El-Nessim, the ancient spring festival that the whole country celebrates. Spring weather is warm and pleasant, which makes Easter one of the best times of the year for a Nile cruise or a trip to the Red Sea.
Easter Dates in Egypt
| Year | Western Easter | Coptic Easter | Sham El-Nessim |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Sunday 28 March | Sunday 2 May | Monday 3 May |
| 2028 | Sunday 16 April | Sunday 16 April | Monday 17 April |
The Coptic Church follows the Julian calendar to calculate Easter, so it often falls a week or more after Western Easter. Sham El-Nessim is always the Monday after Coptic Easter.
Coptic Easter Traditions
About one in ten Egyptians is a Coptic Christian, and Easter is their most important feast. It ends a fast of 55 days, during which many Copts eat no meat, fish or dairy. Holy Week is marked by long services, and on the night of Easter Saturday churches across the country hold a midnight liturgy that ends in the early hours of Sunday. The Coptic Pope leads the main service at St Mark’s Cathedral in Abbasiya, Cairo.
Visitors are welcome at most services. Dress modestly, arrive early and expect the churches to be full. The Hanging Church and the churches of Coptic Cairo are especially atmospheric during Holy Week.
Sham El-Nessim: Egypt's Spring Festival
The day after Coptic Easter, the whole country, Muslims and Christians alike, celebrates Sham El-Nessim, a spring festival with roots in the time of the pharaohs. Families picnic in parks and along the Nile from early morning, eat feseekh (salted fish), green onions and coloured eggs, and take boat trips on the river. It is a public holiday, so parks, gardens and Nile cruises are busy.
Western Easter in Egypt
For visitors celebrating Western Easter, Cairo has Catholic and Protestant churches with services in English and other languages, and many hotels and Nile cruise ships mark the day with a special dinner. Western Easter week is one of the busiest weeks of spring for European travellers, so book hotels and cruises early.
8-Day Cairo, Siwa and White & Black Desert Adventure
Planning the trip itself? Start here.
View This TripWeather at Easter
Late March is warm and sunny: about 24°C in Cairo and 29°C in Luxor. By early May it is hot inland, around 32°C in Cairo and 39°C in Luxor, so plan sightseeing early in the day. The Red Sea is pleasant at both dates. See Egypt in March, Egypt in May.
Easter Trips in Egypt
- A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, comfortable in the spring.
- Cairo and the pyramids, with Holy Week in Coptic Cairo.
- A beach break on the Red Sea, in Hurghada, El Gouna or Marsa Alam, with diving and snorkelling.
- Our 8-day tours and 10-day tours fit a two-week Easter holiday.
Tell us your dates and we will build an Easter itinerary around them, or ask for a tailor-made trip.
Easter in Egypt FAQ
When is Easter in Egypt in 2027?
Western Easter is on 28 March 2027 and Coptic Orthodox Easter on 2 May 2027, followed by Sham El-Nessim on 3 May.
Is Easter a public holiday in Egypt?
Sham El-Nessim, the Monday after Coptic Easter, is a public holiday for everyone. Coptic Easter Sunday is a holiday for Christians.
Can tourists attend Coptic Easter services?
Yes. Visitors are welcome; dress modestly, arrive early and expect long, crowded services, especially at midnight on Easter Saturday.
Is Easter a good time to visit Egypt?
Yes. The weather is warm and pleasant, though early May is already hot in Luxor and Aswan. Western Easter week is busy, so book early.
What is Sham El-Nessim?
An ancient spring festival celebrated by all Egyptians on the Monday after Coptic Easter, with picnics, salted fish, coloured eggs and boat trips on the Nile.































