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Calendar of events
Cairo Calendar Theater and music performances and film festivals are all part of Cairo's cultural scene. However, many of these events take place without much advance publicity.
The Cairo Opera House hosts frequent classical-music, opera and ballet performances. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for moulids, celebrations of the birthday of a saint, prophet or other holy person in either the Muslim or Christian (Coptic) faiths. They immerse entire neighborhoods in religious rituals, carnivals and parades.
The best local sources for event information are The Cairo Times and Egypt Today, both of which are published in English.
To call any of the Cairo phone numbers listed in this calendar from outside Egypt, you must first dial your country's international access code, then Egypt's country code, 20, followed by Cairo's city code, 2. Information in this calendar is subject to change and should be confirmed.
MARCH 3-5 Mar-Photography Exhibit. "Photo Egypt." Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nasr Road (Nasr City). For information, call 263-4631 or 303-5820.
3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31 Mar-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar).
6-8 Mar-Eid al-Adha. This celebration commemorates Abraham's sacrifice of a sheep in place of his son. Lambs are for sale all over the city. Most businesses and markets are closed.
Mid March-Flower Show. Spring is heralded at Orman Gardens, Sharia Giza, in Giza. 26 Mar-Ras al-Sana.
Islamic New Year. Public holiday. 29-31
Mar-Fashion Show. Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nasr Road (Nasr City). For information, call the Convention Center at 263-4631, or the organizers at 303-3531. Throughout March-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
APRIL 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 Apr-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar).
15 Apr-Coptic Easter. Religious holiday for Egypt's Copts. Coptic businesses are closed.
16 Apr-Sham al-Nessim. A celebration of the arrival of spring. Most people go to the countryside or a park for a picnic.
Most businesses are closed. 25 Apr-Sinai Liberation Day. Public holiday commemorating the liberation of Sinai after the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Throughout April-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
MAY 1 May-Labor Day. Public holiday. 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 May-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar). Throughout May-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
JUNE 2001 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30 Jun-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar).
4 Jun-Moulid al-Nabi. Religious holiday celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. A parade takes place downtown.
18 Jun-Evacuation Day. Public holiday that celebrates the departure of the British from the Suez Canal in 1954. Throughout June-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
JULY 2002 1 Jul-Bank Holiday. Public holiday. 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 Jul-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar).
20-31 Jul-World Tourism and Shopping Festival. Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nasr Road (Nasr City). For information, call the Convention Center at 263-4631, or the organizers at 348-8500. Continues through 20 Aug. 23 Jul-Revolution Day. Public holiday. Throughout July-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
AUGUST 2001 1-20 Aug-World Tourism and Shopping Festival. Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nasr Road (Nasr City). For information, call the Convention Center at 263-4631, or the organizers at 348-8500. Concludes 20
Aug. 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29 Aug-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar). 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 Aug-Fashion Show. Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nasr Road (Nasr City). For information, call the Convention Center at 263-4631, or the organizers at 303-3531.
Mid August-International Song Festival. For information, call 390-7210. Throughout August-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
SEPTEMBER 2001 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 Sep-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar).
11 Sep-Coptic New Year. Public holiday for Egypt's Copts. Mid September-Wafaa el-Nil. This annual Fidelity of the Nile Festival, stemming from ancient pharaonic legend, honors the Nile as a symbol of life. Events include processions, performances and sports. In Giza (a half-hour drive from Tahrir Square). For more information, call the Cairo government offices at 390-7210.
Mid September-International Experimental Theater Festival. For more information, contact the Ministry of Culture. Phone 393-3832. Fax 393-8979. 27 Sep-World Tourism Day. Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nasr Road (Nasr City). For information, contact the Ministry of Tourism at 283-7657. Throughout September-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
OCTOBER 2002 Early October-Nile International Swimming Competition. Sponsored by the Egyptian Federation for Swimming. Early-Late October-Performance. Frequent performances by the Cairo Opera Company, the Cairo Symphony and the Cairo Ballet take place at the Cairo Opera House on Gezira Island. For information and tickets, call 737-0601 (opera and symphony) or 739-8144 (ballet). Continues through early June 2002.
2-4 Oct-Fashion Show. Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center, Nasr Road (Nasr City). For information, call the Convention Center at 263-4631, or the organizers at 303-3531.
3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31 Oct-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar).
6 Oct-Armed Forces Day. Public holiday commemorating the Egyptian army's crossing into Sinai in 1973.
Most businesses are closed. 23 Oct-National Liberation Day. Public holiday. 24 Oct-Suez Victory Day. Public holiday. Throughout October-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
NOVEMBER 2002 Early November-Moulid of Saiyida Zeinab. Feast day honoring Cairo's patron saint. Expect a carnival atmosphere around the Saiyida Zeinab Mosque. For more information, call 391-3454.
Early-Mid November-International Film Festival. This prestigious event draws leading film connoisseurs, auteurs and producers. The best film takes the Golden Pyramid award. For more information, contact the Ministry of Culture. Phone 393-3832. Fax 393-8979.
3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 Nov-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar).
Mid November-Arabian Horse Festival. At Zaliran Station. For information, phone 243-1733, fax 573-8582.
17-30 Nov-Ramadan. The holy month during which faithful Muslims fast (no food, drink or cigarettes) from dawn to sunset. As soon as the sun goes down, the iftar (breaking of the fast) takes place, with most people hurrying to satisfy their hunger. Many businesses have shorter daytime hours. Continues through 16 Dec. Throughout November-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
Throughout November-Performance. Frequent performances by the Cairo Opera Company, the Cairo Symphony and the Cairo Ballet take place at the Cairo Opera House on Gezira Island. For information and tickets, call 737-0601 (opera and symphony) or 739-8144 (ballet). Continues through early June 2002.
DECEMBER 1-16 Dec-Ramadan. The holy month during which faithful Muslims fast (no food, drink or cigarettes) from dawn to sunset. As soon as the sun goes down, the iftar (breaking of the fast) takes place, with most people hurrying to satisfy their hunger. Many businesses have shorter daytime hours.
Concludes 16 Dec. 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 Dec-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar). Mid December-International Nile Surfing Festival. Sponsored by the Egyptian Surfing Federation. For more information, fax 393-4350.
16-18 Dec-Eid al-Fitr. This feast marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, and usually lasts three days. 23 Dec-Victory Day. Public holiday. Throughout December-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
Throughout December-Performance. Frequent performances by the Cairo Opera Company, the Cairo Symphony and the Cairo Ballet take place at the Cairo Opera House on Gezira Island. For information and tickets, call 737-0601 (opera and symphony) or 739-8144 (ballet). Continues through early June 2002.
JANUARY 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 Jan-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar). 7 Jan-Coptic Christmas. Religious holiday for Egypt's Copts. Mid January-International Documentary and Short Film Festival. For more information, contact the Ministry of Culture. Phone 393-3832. Fax 393-8979.
Late January-International Book Fair. Publishers from around the world make deals and display their upcoming lists at this annual three-week event. At the Madinat Nasr Exhibition Grounds. Continues through early February. Throughout January-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
Frequent performances by the Cairo Opera Company, the Cairo Symphony and the Cairo Ballet take place at the Cairo Opera House on Gezira Island. For information and tickets, call 737-0601 (opera and symphony) or 739-8144 (ballet). Continues through early June.
FEBRUARY 2002 Early February-International Book Fair. Publishers from around the world make deals and display their upcoming lists at this annual three-week event. At the Madinat Nasr Exhibition Grounds. Concludes early February. 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23,
27 Feb-Dance. Whirling dervishes perform at Madrasa el-Ghouri (Islamic Cairo, near Wekalet el-Ghouri and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar). 22 Feb-Union Day. Public holiday.
23-25 Feb-Eid al-Adha. This celebration commemorates Abraham's sacrifice of a sheep in place of his son. Lambs are for sale all over the city. Most businesses and markets are closed. Throughout February-Sound-and-Light Show. At the pyramids in Giza, "narrated" by the Sphinx. English shows are daily, except Sunday. It's best to confirm dates and times before heading out to Giza. Phone 385-2880. Fax 384-4257. http://www.sound-light.egypt.com.
Throughout February-Performance. Frequent performances by the Cairo Opera Company, the Cairo Symphony and the Cairo Ballet take place at the Cairo Opera House on Gezira Island. For information and tickets, call 737-0601 (opera and symphony) or 739-8144 (ballet). Continues through early June.
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