Festivals and Annual Events

The date of this day keeps varying according to the Islamic Calendar. It is normally celebrated on the first day of the first Islamic month, Muharram. Most businesses and educational institutions stay closed.

This festival is celebrated with full zeal in the beginning of the month of January by native Egyptian Christians. They enjoy this particular Christmas in full swing with city parades, musicals, religious gatherings at churches, etc.

This is a huge celebration that marks the end of fasting (Vegan diet) for the Copts. After the termination of fasts, Copts usually visit their families and relatives or enjoy traditional meals and plan picnics.

Sinai Liberation Day is observed on 25 April, marking the completion of Israel’s withdrawal from Sinai in 1982 under the peace treaty. The commemoration concerns the withdrawal, not a surrender in 1979.

It is generally celebrated on the first day of spring and is celebrated with a mix of colors and celebrations on the first Monday after the Coptic Easter. It’s also a national holiday. Shopping centers and businesses remain shut on this day and people try to enjoy the little treats of life.

This contest is generally held in the month of April; all the competitive camels of Sinai are made part of a race to select the fastest camel. It’s a very thrilling event and people with interest in animal sport enjoy it to its fullest.

This is a national fishing competition where all the best fishermen from the country come together and compete against each other for the biggest catch. Its history dates back to the era when Sharm el-Sheik was a small fishing center and village.

Evacuation Day commemorates the departure of the last British troops from Egypt on 18 June 1956. The departure followed the evacuation agreement, rather than a foreign invasion in 1954.

July Revolution Day commemorates the Free Officers’ revolution of 23 July 1952, which brought an end to Egypt’s monarchy. It is observed nationally; the government announces the applicable public-holiday arrangements.

This is big festival in the city to enhance the tourism by providing special variety at shops. Stalls are also set and special discounts are offered to the tourist. Around the time of this festival, the hotel prices also go down by a considerable price.

Locals refer to this as ‘Wafaa Enil’, which means the flooding of the ancient river Nile. It celebrated in Mid-August. Copts celebrate this too, in another traditional way. People are popularly found discussing different historical stories on this day about the flooding of the Nile, which may or may not be true.

This day is commemorated on the Oct 6th every year in tribute to Egyptian army who crossed the Suez canal during the Yom Kippur war.

This day is honored to mark the destruction of the Israeli Eilat in 1967 by the Egyptian Naval forces.

This holiday is widely celebrated on October 24th in the city to pay tribute to the people who fought with great determination during the Suez crisis.

This Eid is celebrated by Muslims at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. People visit their relatives and feast at the gatherings and picnics. It is a national holiday too.

This national event draws several competitive swimmers and divers from over the world at one platform to polish their skills and display their talent to a large audience. One person is selected as the winner of the contest.

Port Said marks its National Day on 23 December, commemorating the withdrawal of the forces involved in the 1956 Suez conflict. This is a Port Said commemoration, rather than the anniversary of the October War of 1973.