Cairo Travel Guide - Festivals & Events
With Islam playing an important role in the lives of most Cairo residents, it’s no wonder that a good number of festivals are religiously based. Visitors attending events with Islamic themes should be mindful of observing the necessary respect and reverence.
January Festivals
Cairo Book Fair: the Nasr City International Fair Grounds are the setting for this popular annual event that is considered one of the largest Arabic book fairs in the world. Literally millions of books are available for purchase with every topic and genre covered. Arab authors and academics are also present to give talks on literature and other appropriate subjects. The event is usually held at the end of January.
Cairo Book Fair: the Nasr City International Fair Grounds are the setting for this popular annual event that is considered one of the largest Arabic book fairs in the world. Literally millions of books are available for purchase with every topic and genre covered. Arab authors and academics are also present to give talks on literature and other appropriate subjects. The event is usually held at the end of January.
August/September Festivals
Cairo International Fashion Exhibition: the efforts of the Defile D'Egypte Company go into creating this annual event which is essentially a platform on which those involved in the fashion industry can assemble to do business, share ideas and discuss common issues.
Cairo International Fashion Exhibition: the efforts of the Defile D'Egypte Company go into creating this annual event which is essentially a platform on which those involved in the fashion industry can assemble to do business, share ideas and discuss common issues.
The highlight of the event for many visitors is the fashion show which features clothes from Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, China, Taiwan, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and more. The exhibition is held usually from the end of August to the beginning of September.
October Festivals
Moulid of Sayeda Zeinab: the biggest outdoor event in the city’s calendar is held in honour of Sayeda Zeinab, the granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammed. Attracting up to a million visitors, many from across the country; this is essentially a giant street party with food, music and dancing among the many things to look forward to on its packed agenda.
Moulid of Sayeda Zeinab: the biggest outdoor event in the city’s calendar is held in honour of Sayeda Zeinab, the granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammed. Attracting up to a million visitors, many from across the country; this is essentially a giant street party with food, music and dancing among the many things to look forward to on its packed agenda.
November/December Festivals
Cairo Film Festival: the city’s annual festival sees cinemas in the downtown area screen a large number of unusual and invariably independently produced movies and short films. Creations from across the globe can be expected although subtitles are usually in Arabic only. The festival is held from late November into early December.
Cairo Film Festival: the city’s annual festival sees cinemas in the downtown area screen a large number of unusual and invariably independently produced movies and short films. Creations from across the globe can be expected although subtitles are usually in Arabic only. The festival is held from late November into early December.