Christmas in Egypt Guide: What interests during this special day

The Egypt Christmas holiday season is a particularly popular time for tourists visiting Egypt. Many people from colder regions enjoy spending their winter vacation in a warm and sunny place, making Egypt a perfect holiday travel destination. For many, this is the ideal time to visit Egypt. Considering spending Christmas in Egypt? Here's everything you need to know that the Egypt Immigration Services offers!

Christmas in Egypt is a great holiday for tourists

Overview of Christmas in Egypt for travelers

Experience the unique charm of Christmas in Egypt, where ancient traditions meet festive celebrations, offering travelers a warm and culturally rich holiday atmosphere.

What is the weather in Egypt at Christmas?

The question that human beings often ask is the weather. Although it is still sunny in Egypt during this season, the question many people ask themselves is whether it is warm to be at the beach. Yes - it is still warm, if you happen to be going to the Red Sea!

During the day, the temperature of the coasts bordering the Red Sea is approximately 23°C (73°F) and at night, the temperature is approximately 12°C (54°F). Water sports are still very famous at this time due to the average temperature of the water in the Red Sea at 23°C (73°F). It may not be as hot as one can go swimming casually, but as long as one has a wetsuit (which can be rented in most places) December and January are great months to snorkel and dive.

In the inland cities such as Cairo, the temperatures are a bit lower. The average daytime temperature is approximately 20°C (68°F) with a night average of approximately 10°C (50°F). Since Egypt is a desert country, the temperatures are very low after the sun goes down, and this time of the year, the sun sets at around 5 pm, and therefore, warm clothes are required. You will probably find the Egyptians sporting bulky winter jackets, boots, and hats as December and January are the coldest months in this area. Nevertheless, when you have to go to a really cold location, then a light sweater or jacket and maybe a scarf will suffice.

Learn the weather in Egypt before having a trip at Christmas

The Egyptians refer to winter as the rainy season, indicating that there might be a light rainfall shower once or twice every few weeks in the winter season particularly during the Christmas season. The rainfall is not very long but it forms puddles and floods its roads since there is a low drainage system. Therefore, when you are in Egypt during the month of December or January when it rains, then prepare to maneuver around a standing body of water and the people will turn into dramatics even in the slightest occurrence of rain.

To dive deeper into the traditions and spiritual meaning of the season, explore how Egyptians celebrate Coptic Orthodox Christmas across the country.

What are some Christmas traditions in Egypt?

Some visitors to Egypt in late December might be puzzled by the lack of Christmas celebrations on the 24th and 25th, which are commonly observed in the West. If you’re looking for Christmas festivities on those dates, you’re about a week too early. In Egypt, December 25th is just a regular day—people go to work, businesses are open, and some schools are in session. This is because the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, like many Eastern Orthodox Churches worldwide, celebrates Christmas on January 6th and 7th. (January 7th is known as Epiphany Sunday or Three Kings’ Day in Western Christian traditions.) In Arabic, Christmas is referred to as Eid Al Milad (عيد الميلاد) – The Feast of the Birth.

Eid Al Milad is the national holiday in Egypt (the workweek is Sunday to Thursday and the weekends are on Friday and Saturday), which is on Christmas Sunday. The majority of offices and companies are shut throughout the day.

In case you happen to be in Egypt on 24 - 25 December and you feel like celebrating the holiday in a familiar way, there is an option or two. A number of Protestant churches in Cairo that mostly cater to foreign (Western) congregations have English services on either 24th or 25th. These are St. Andrews United Church of Cairo, Maadi Community Church, Church of St. John (in Maadi) and All Saints Cathedral (in Zamalek).

You may also use part of your vacation to be at the old church that was built on the cave believed to be the hiding place of the holy family when they fled into Egypt soon after Jesus was born.

Discover the Christmas traditions in Egypt

Beyond the Christmas season, Egypt also hosts captivating cultural events like the Abu Simbel Sun Festival February, celebrating ancient heritage under the desert sun.

Why is Christmas celebrated on two different dates in Egypt?

Christmas is celebrated on 25th December and 7th January by some branches of the Christian church like the Orthodox Christians because there is a discrepancy in the calendar systems. Orthodox Christians adhere to the older Julian Calendar, and thus on the first Monday of each year, January 7th, they observe Christmas Day but other Christians observe it on the 25th of December, the Gregorian Calendar.

The number of Christians in Egypt is more than 10 million which is approximately 10 percent of the population. Over 90 percent of these Christians are the Coptic Orthodox, who celebrate Christmas on January 7th. That is why January 7th is a national holiday in Egypt. Other denominations of Christians in Egypt however celebrate Christmas on 25th December.

Fasting days before Christmas

The second fact, of some facts about Christmas in Egypt, is that Orthodox Christians in Egypt commence a fast of 43 days, starting on the 25 th of November, until the birth of Christ is celebrated on the 7 th of January.

Their diet in this fast is mostly vegan and so they do not eat meat, chicken and dairy products. The end of this prolonged fasting is a big and hearty meal of Egyptian traditional dishes on Christmas Eve.

Some special food at Christmas in Egypt

Enjoy some food at Christmas in Egypt

Once the prayers are over, all people go home to cook a massive and delicious meal that includes foods that were not used during the Advent fast. Have a Christmas dinner that unites families together.

One of the most popular meals of Egyptian Christmas is a lamb soup called fata that consists of rice, bread, red sauce with garlic, and, needless to say, lamb meat with additional dishes of Egyptian cuisine.

During the morning, people start going to their relatives and friends and carry festive sweets.

The Egyptians have special desserts that they make during holidays like Kahk and biscuits as well as various other snacks that are especially made during the feast.

These are not just sweets that are prepared by Christians but they are a tradition to all Egyptians to enjoy their holidays.

After exploring the joy of Christmas in Egypt, you might also be curious to learn what is Coptic Easter and how it’s celebrated by the Coptic community.

Christmas traditional decoration in the Egyptian way

Christmas in Egypt is a holiday marked with colorful lights and colors which represent Egyptian culture. An array of Egyptian houses and shops are decorated with Christmas trees, lights, and gifts, which makes them look like a party. The holiday is characterized by elaborate Christmas decorations that make it stand out among other celebrations as the houses are characterized by bright lights and decorated with decorations that give the feeling of wonder.

The birth of Jesus is frequently described in detailed scenes in families, and the churches are covered with flowers and candles which create an atmosphere of calm. Festive banners and decorations are displayed on the streets, and local elements, including palm trees, pyramids, and camels, are introduced to make the celebrations reflect the Egyptian element.

Christmas in Egypt is also a time of giving and there are numerous charities and churches which organize events to feed and clothe those who are less fortunate and homeless. This season is full of the spirit of giving and caring within Egyptian society. Christians and Muslims unite to dance and sing and it is a special incorporation of Christian traditions and local cultural practices that make the celebration special.

Planning your trip to explore traditional Christmas in Egypt

To organize your trip and learn about traditional Christmas celebrations in Egypt is a rich source of varied cultural experiences, as well as happy habits. The first way is first planning your visit around the end of December or the beginning of January when it will be on January 7 when the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christmas festivities are to be held. Visit well-known locations such as Cairo, where you can expect colorful street adornments, street markets with festive lighting, and classic Egyptian features like camels and pyramids. Enhance the spiritual nature of Christmas Eve by attending the services in some of the most notable churches, e.g., the St. Marks Cathedral or the Hanging Church, which is covered with flowers and candles.

Eat holiday foods such as "Kahk" and cookies and also have traditional Egyptian foods such as fata lamb soup. Attend charity-oriented activities organized by local churches and non-profit organizations to continue with the spirit of giving during the season. You can either sightsee or engage with the locals in their traditions, regardless of whether you arrange your trip to spend Christmas in Egypt, you are guaranteed of a great experience that puts festivity on one side and cultural assimilation on the other.

In conclusion

To sum up, Christmas in Egypt is a special combination of old traditions and Coptic customs, and festal atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere in the world. Midnight masses to colorful markets, special foods during holidays, it is the magic period to discover the cultural diversity of Egypt. In order to have a comfortable trip, you should also remember that you should apply to your Egypt e-Visa online beforehand in order to be sure of an easy entry to the country and more time to enjoy the coziness of Christmas in this historical country.