Christmas and New Year in Egypt

The weeks around Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive time to travel in Egypt, but the weather is pleasant and the atmosphere is festive. Book Nile cruises and hotels many months ahead, ask whether a gala dinner on December 24 and December 31 is compulsory and included, and remember that Egypt's own Christmas, the Coptic celebration, falls on January 7.

Winter is Egypt's high season for good reason. Days are sunny and comfortable for sightseeing, from Cairo and Giza to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, and the Red Sea stays mild enough for swimming and snorkeling. Over the holidays, demand from Europe, North America and within the region all peaks at once, which is why availability disappears early and prices rise.

None of this means you should avoid the season. It means planning differently: earlier booking, careful reading of supplements, and an itinerary that works around crowds rather than against them. This guide covers what to expect and how to make the holidays work in your favor.

Why is the holiday period so busy?

Several things converge in late December. School and work holidays across Europe and North America line up with Egypt's pleasant winter weather, and many families choose a Nile cruise or a Red Sea resort as their winter trip. The New Year draws visitors from across the Middle East as well. The result is that the period from roughly December 20 to early January is the most heavily booked of the year, with the very busiest days falling between Christmas and New Year's Day.

The pressure is felt most on Nile cruise ships, which have a fixed number of cabins, on well-known hotels in Luxor and Aswan, and on international flights. In Cairo, the large number of hotels spreads the demand somewhat more, but the most popular properties still fill early.

When should you book?

For travel over Christmas and New Year, start planning as early as you can, ideally six to nine months ahead if you want a specific ship or cabin category. The most sought-after ships and dahabiyas are often fully booked well before fall. Booking early also gives you more choice of flight times, which matters on a long-haul journey.

If you are booking later, flexibility helps:

• Consider starting your trip a few days before Christmas or after New Year, when availability eases.
• Be open to a different ship or hotel in the same category.
• Ask whether a cruise in the other direction (a three-night Aswan to Luxor sailing instead of four nights from Luxor, or the reverse) has space on your dates.
• Accept that last-minute fares and room rates are likely to be higher.

What are gala dinners and supplements?

Many Nile cruise ships and four- and five-star hotels hold a special dinner on Christmas Eve, December 24, and New Year's Eve, December 31. At many properties these dinners are compulsory for guests staying that night, and they are often charged as a supplement on top of the room or cabin rate. Some packages include them in the price; others bill them separately, and the amount varies widely by property and category.

Before you book, ask three specific questions:

1. Is there a gala dinner on December 24 or December 31, and is it compulsory?
2. Is the supplement included in the price you have been quoted?
3. If it is not included, how much is it, and how is it paid?

Get the answer in writing as part of your booking. Hotels and ships set these supplements each season, so a figure from a previous year is not a reliable guide. Some properties also add peak-season minimum stays over New Year, which is worth checking at the same time.

Is everything open over Christmas?

Yes. December 25 is a normal working day in Egypt, because most of the country's Christians follow the Coptic calendar and celebrate Christmas in January. Archaeological sites, museums and shops operate as usual on December 25.

New Year's Day, January 1, is treated as a holiday by banks and some offices, but tourist sites generally stay open. Hotels and cruise ships decorate for the season, set up Christmas trees in their lobbies and host celebrations, especially on New Year's Eve, so the festive atmosphere is easy to find without anything closing down.

Coptic Christmas on January 7

Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Christians, the largest Christian community in the Middle East, celebrate Christmas on January 7, which is an official public holiday. The main service is a long liturgy on the night of January 6 in churches across the country, after a period of fasting. If you are in Cairo, it can be a memorable experience to attend a service at one of the historic churches of Coptic Cairo, but arrange it in advance through your guide, dress modestly, and expect heightened security around churches at this time.

Because January 7 is a public holiday, some government offices and businesses close, though tourist sites generally operate. Traveling over both Christmases is an unusual chance to see two very different celebrations in one trip.

Weather and what to pack

Winter weather in Egypt is pleasant during the day and cool at night. In Cairo, daytime temperatures around the holidays are typically in the high 60s Fahrenheit, while Luxor and Aswan are warmer, often in the mid-70s, with sunny skies. Early mornings and evenings are much colder, especially in the desert and on the upper deck of a Nile cruise ship, so bring layers.

Useful items for the season include:

• A warm jacket or fleece for early starts, balloon flights and evenings on deck.
• Light layers for warm afternoons at the temples.
• Comfortable walking shoes and a sun hat, since the sun is still strong.
• Something smarter for gala dinners, if your ship or hotel holds one.
• A swimsuit if you plan to spend time on the Red Sea, where the water is cool but swimmable for many people.

How to handle the crowds

The major sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Abu Simbel, are at their busiest between Christmas and New Year. A few habits make a big difference:

• Start early. Arriving at opening time, before tour groups and day-trippers, gives you the calmest hour of the day.
• Use the afternoons wisely. Museums, a felucca sail or time on the ship are good choices during the busiest midday hours.
• Work with a private guide. A guide who knows the flow of each site can adjust the order of your visit to avoid the peaks.
• Spread out the headline sites. Avoid scheduling every major landmark on the same day as everyone else on a cruise itinerary.
• Book special experiences ahead. Hot air balloon flights in Luxor, sound and light shows and tickets for special tombs can sell out on peak dates.

Is it worth traveling to Egypt over the holidays?

For many travelers, yes. The weather is pleasant, families can travel together during school holidays, and the festive mood on ships and in hotels adds to the experience. The main downsides are higher prices, crowds at the sites and the need to commit early. If your dates are flexible, traveling in the first half of December or from the second week of January gives you similar weather with fewer people. If they are not, early booking and a well-paced itinerary are a good way to enjoy the season.

Frequently asked questions

Is Egypt open on Christmas Day?

Yes. December 25 is a normal working day in Egypt, and archaeological sites, museums and shops operate as usual.

Are gala dinners compulsory on Nile cruises over Christmas and New Year?

On many ships and in many higher-category hotels, the Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinners are compulsory and charged as a supplement. Policies and amounts differ by property and season, so confirm in writing whether a supplement applies and whether it is included in your price.

When should I book a Christmas Nile cruise?

Ideally six to nine months ahead if you want a specific ship or cabin category. The best-known ships often fill well before fall, and later bookings usually mean less choice and higher prices.

When is Coptic Christmas in Egypt?

Coptic Christmas falls on January 7 and is an official public holiday. The main church service takes place on the night of January 6.

What is the weather like in Egypt at Christmas?

Days are sunny and mild, typically in the high 60s Fahrenheit in Cairo and warmer in Luxor and Aswan. Mornings and evenings are cold, so pack warm layers.

Plan it with Nourbelle

If you are thinking about the holidays, share your dates early on our trip planning page, and we can check availability on Nile cruises and hotels and confirm any seasonal supplements in writing before you book.