Is Christmas a popular holiday in Egypt?

Want to travel to Egypt at the holiday time? A common question among most travelers is whether Christmas is celebrated in Egypt. Yes, Christmas is celebrated in Egypt—but not on December 25th by most Egyptians. Instead, it’s officially observed on January 7th by the Coptic Orthodox community.

Coptic Orthodox Christmas: A national holiday

The main Christmas celebration in Egypt takes place on January 7th, when the Coptic Orthodox Church commemorates the birth of Christ. It is a national holiday and most businesses, banks and government offices are put under holidays.

Coptic Christians typically attend midnight church services on the night of January 6th, then celebrate with special meals and family gatherings on January 7th, and Coptic folks eat special dishes such as fattah. Although very important within the Christian community, Coptic Christmas celebrations are generally more modest than Western traditions and mostly confined to church services and gatherings in Christian neighborhoods.

Western Christmas: Less widespread

Egypt does not have a national holiday on December 25th. Western Christmas is not extensively commemorated by the majority of Egyptians and the country goes on with life as it is.

Nevertheless, other international schools are off on the 25th of December to suit expatriate families. Major cities like Cairo and Alexandria feature malls and luxury hotels decorated with Christmas trees, lights, and festive displays, primarily aimed at tourists and expatriates.

These displays rarely include religious symbols, focusing instead on Santa Claus, reindeer, and festive décor, making Western Christmas in Egypt more of a commercial event than a religious celebration.

Christmas in shops and hotels

Christmas products can be found at high-end florist shops and boutiques, though they are often imported and expensive. Wealthy Gulf visitors sometimes spend lavishly on elaborate Christmas decorations for hotel suites or private villas, and some luxury venues use the holiday season to present Christmas as a luxurious or upscale celebration for high-end guests.

Despite these festive scenes, for most Egyptians, who are Muslims, Christmas is not part of their religious traditions, and thus it remains a low-key occasion in everyday life. While many are familiar with Western Christmas through movies and social media, they typically do not decorate their homes or engage in widespread celebration.

Conclusion

In summary, Coptic Christians in Egypt do not celebrate Christmas on December 25th, as their Christmas falls on January 7th, which is a significant national holiday; however, on January 7th it is an important holiday. As much as tourists will get to see a festive atmosphere in malls and in hotels, most Egyptians do not have very much cultural significance to the holiday. This information will assist visitors in their plan and gain an increase in holiday mood in Egypt.

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