Facts About Christmas in Egypt 2026

How to celebrate Christmas in Egypt. Considering that most Egyptians are Muslim, the festive season in Egypt may be fun for some. But December is the month we all look forward to, and many of us claim to get in the Christmas spirit with great enthusiasm.

At the same time, you want to travel worldwide and learn about its many cultures. Have you ever considered spending holidays and the New Year in Egypt, a country with a completely different culture from yours? You may wonder how Christmas is celebrated in Egypt, and that's a fair question.

People from all over the world visit the land of the ancient pharaohs for various reasons, including the country's pleasant climate throughout the year, its stunning beaches in Egypt, the serenity of its deserts when camping, and the unique taste of its traditional cuisine. This event makes me think of a great way to compare Egypt to other countries.

1- The History of Egyptian Christmas

• Some think the Christmas tree and the entire holiday may have come from ancient Egypt. People believe that the Christmas tree comes from the Egyptian tradition of using palm trees with twelve leaves to celebrate the end of the year on the winter solstice. Also, on this day, they celebrated the birth of the sun goddess.
• Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas in the blessed month of Kayak. You should not miss this great event if you are in Egypt during this time. Every Saturday, the faithful gather for a special Mass to pray to the sound of beautiful music.
• From November 25 to January 6, 43 days before Christmas, people who believe in God follow a special fast, a natural vegetarian diet in which they don't eat meat or animal products. If you are sick or too weak to celebrate, you can skip Holy Christmas.
• Most statistics show that most international visitors to Egypt spend Christmas and New Year in the Red Sea in Marsa Alam and Sharm El-Sheikh, where they can relax on the beach and look at the colorful coral reefs below.

2- Coptic Christmas

• For devout Coptic Christians, the month leading up to Christmas (the Kiyakh) is full of rituals. Two of the most important are going to Sunday Mass at dawn (around 5 a.m. local time) and singing hymns of praise on Saturday evenings.
• On the Old Coptic Cairo Tour, you can spend a day with a guide and learn about the history of the churches in Cairo.
• Christians begin a period of self-discipline called the "Nativity Fast" 45 days before Christmas. During this time, they eat nothing from the animal, including butter. You will most likely talk about discipline, sacrifice, charity, and kindness to others. Discover the most famous sights in Coptic Cairo.

Santa Claus and Christmas trees

• Santa Claus, or "Baba Noel," has become familiar in popular culture, especially among Muslim children. This is because he represents the spirit of giving. Baba Noel also brings gifts and can be seen coming in through the window (since there are no chimneys in Egypt).
• On January 6th and 7th, kids get small gifts or money to buy chocolate and candy. Downtown streets are lit with Christmas lights and trees, and business districts are decked out for the holidays.

3- How to celebrate Christmas in Egypt?

Celebrating Egypt's Christmas traditions

• Christmas in Egypt is like everywhere else: delicious food, beautiful decorations, unique traditions, and happy celebrations.
• Most Egyptian Christians are part of the Coptic Orthodox Church. During the holiday season, this church has some unique traditions.
• They are Orthodox, like most Egyptian Christians, and fast for 45 days from November 25 until the evening of January 6, and this lets them celebrate Christmas on January 7 instead of December 25. The average person no longer eats meat, poultry, or dairy products.
• Every Christian home and church has trees, lights, and small cribs set up in the weeks before Christmas. And on Christmas Eve, everyone dresses up like they're going to a party and goes to church.
• At 11 o'clock, the Pope of the Orthodox Church will start the ceremony at the beautiful St. Mark's Cathedral in Cairo. Fata is a traditional Christmas lunch eaten after the Christmas ceremony, and it is made of bread, rice, garlic, and cooked pork.
• When visiting friends and neighbors, it is expected to bring Kahk, a candy Muslims eat on Eid ul-Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan's fasting month.

Christmas traditions on the Hotels & Nile Cruises

• The Egyptians know how important the holiday season is to tourists. Because of this, some hotels start decorating their insides for Christmas as early as the end of November, with Santa Clauses, reindeer, and lots of bright lights and colors. At other times, animated Santa hats pop up, and music for the holidays plays through the speakers.
• There are both real Christmas trees and palm palms that are lit up. à la carte restaurants offer a special Christmas Eve buffet or menu on Christmas Eve, and the holiday decorations stay up until the Coptic Christmas celebration.

4- New Year's Eve in Egypt

• Traveling is one of the best ways to enjoy all that the end of the year has to offer. People often take their vacations at the end of the year, and these travelers are more interested in going to places and doing things that aren't on everyone's list. Egypt is a popular holiday destination in December. Most trips to Egypt start in Cairo and include Nile River cruises (sailing between Luxor and Aswan ).
• December is also a busy month because of Christmas. Many hotels and other tourist spots know that most customers will celebrate Christmas on December 25. Because of this, they plan activities with a Christmas theme for that day. Christmas in Egypt goes from about the middle of December to the beginning of January, so it's a great place to go if you want a long, relaxing break.
• Of course, the country's postcard wouldn't be left out. The fireworks reflect off the Giza Pyramids and light them up as the year passes. The best parts of Christmas and New Year's celebrations occur at special hotel banquets or on River Nile cruises. Several hotels in Egypt also have special New Year's Eve banquets with performances by well-known artists from the area.

5- Egypt in Christmas: Places to Visit during the Holidays

Egypt is getting more and more people from other countries. Egypt is an excellent place with a lot going on all year, so visitors will always have a good time there.

When you go to Upper Egypt, you might tour the ancient Egyptian temples, a resort on the Red Sea, a big city for shopping and culture, or a lonely spot in the desert.

1. Cairo

The city of millions of people has such famous sights as the Pyramids of Giza, the Citadel of Saladin, and the death mask of Tutankhamun and invites you to go shopping. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the big malls get a lot of decorations, including Christmas trees. But Khan El Khalili Market is also an excellent place to look for gifts.

2. Luxor

Above all, high-end hotels and Nile cruises in Upper Egypt organize Christmas parties with menus and dinner deals for guests. But don't miss the chance to see the buildings of the pharaohs, such as the Karnak Temple or the Valley of the Kings, when the weather is nice. Book a nice cruise on the Nile between Christmas and New Year.

3. Hurghada

The Red Sea has much to offer visitors, from animators wearing Santa Claus hats to Christmas trees with bright lights in hotel lobbies to Santa Claus riding camels. The holidays are a great time to dine like a prince at the resorts. The Christmas market with wine and gingerbread is in the El Gouna neighborhood.

6- How is the weather in Egypt at Christmas (Egypt's weather in December)?

• Egypt and cold weather never seem to go together. But be careful because January can get as cold as -10 degrees Fahrenheit. But only when it's dark. Bring a warm sweater or jacket in December, January, and February evenings.
• The winter sea is still 20 degrees warmer, so you can swim in it. Even in the shade, the sun can heat the air to at least 23 degrees. This means that in the sun, it can be over 30 degrees, but the wind is calm. But the hotel building primarily blocks the wind on the beach and around the pools.

Is December a good time to visit Egypt?

Yes! And there are plenty of options for Christmas trips to Egypt. Egypt is an excellent place for a vacation because you can have fun, try new things, and visit essential areas for Christmas.

7- Tips for excursions at Christmas time in Egypt

1. Especially around Christmas, it's a good idea to go on trips to see how the Coptic Christians lived.
2. Another great thing about Cairo is the rock church, which you can only get to by driving through the "garbage district." Egyptians who live here sort trash to make a living.
3. Since Luxor is always a little warmer, the calmer times are the best times to go there. Now that the weather is nice, you can see the Valley of the Kings, which has no shade.
4. In the winter, a trip into the desert by quad or jeep is much more fun than in the summer.
5. Winter is also an excellent time to dive, of course. You can dive and snorkel without worrying about anything. The wind looks lovely as soon as you get out of the water. So bring an extra set of clothes with you.

Our conclusion: how to spend a lovely Christmas holiday in Egypt?

Traveling for the holidays at the end of the year is a magical experience filled with food, decorations, traditions, festivities, and many different things we can find. You may not think of Christmas in Egypt because most people there are Muslim, but you will find that Egyptians get caught up in the holiday spirit.

At Christmas, you can do many different things. For example, you can take a nice cruise on the Nile and have a great cup of coffee. You can also visit other Egyptian cities such as Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Dahab, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Cairo, the country's capital. You can also shop in Egypt's largest and most famous supermarkets, especially in Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam. You can also visit the Egyptian Museum.

FAQS About Egypt Christmas Holidays

How is Christmas celebrated in Egypt?
Christmas in Egypt is celebrated mainly by the Coptic Orthodox community on January 7. Families attend a special church service on Christmas Eve, followed by a late-night feast. Traditional foods like “fata” are enjoyed with family and friends. Streets and churches are decorated with lights and nativity scenes. It is both a religious and cultural celebration filled with joy.

Which country celebrates Christmas on 7 January?
Several countries celebrate Christmas on January 7, following the Coptic or Orthodox calendar. Egypt is one of the most well-known places where this date is observed. Russia, Ethiopia, and Serbia also celebrate on this day. The difference comes from following the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian one. This tradition highlights the diversity of global Christian celebrations.

What is Santa Claus known as in Egypt?
In Egypt, Santa Claus is commonly referred to as “Baba Noel.” The name means “Father Christmas” in Arabic. Children eagerly wait for Baba Noel to bring gifts during the festive season. He is often seen in malls and Christmas markets dressed in the classic red suit. Baba Noel has become a beloved figure for both children and families.

How do people decorate for Christmas in Egypt?
In Egypt, people decorate their homes and churches with festive ornaments. Christmas trees, colorful lights, and nativity scenes are very common. Churches are adorned with candles and traditional Coptic decorations. Some families place stars or angels on top of their trees. Decorations bring warmth and joy, creating a festive atmosphere across Cairo and other cities