Egypt Festivals & Major Events
Coptic Christmas falls on January 7. Copts observe the birth of Christ on the same date as all other Orthodox churches except the Armenian. Prior to the feast they abstain from animal flesh and products for 43 days.
The Feast of Breaking the Fast, 'Id al-Fitr, celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. During daylight hours, Muslims abstain from food, drink, sex and violence for some 30 days. 'Id al-Fitr is a happy celebration with new clothes, gifts, and plenty of good food. Festivities usually last for three days.
Feast of the Sacrifice, 'Id al-Adha, begins about 70 days after the end of Ramadan and commemorates Abraham's sacrifice of a sheep in place of his son, Isaac. It is traditional to kill a sheep and share the meat with the extended family, neighbours and the poor. Festivities last for four days.
Coptic Easter ends the Coptic Lenten season. Usually celebrated one week after Western Easter, Coptic businesses are closed.
Sham an-Nissim, "Sniffing the Breeze", is a holiday celebrated the Monday after Coptic Easter. Dating from Pharaonic times, it is celebrated by all Egyptians regardless of their religious affiliation. The entire population goes to the countryside or to some urban green space for a day-long outing, with picnic baskets filled with hard-boiled eggs and pickled fish. Businesses are closed.