Arranging your work schedule? Heading to Egypt soon? Or when do things shut down and celebrations kick off? Understanding Egypt’s 2026 public holidays makes planning much smoother. The country observes a blend of fixed national dates and religious events that follow the Islamic lunar calendar, so Ramadan and Eid dates shift each year and are only finalized after the moon is sighted.
Below is a straightforward overview of the most important public holidays and major observances in Egypt for 2026.
Important note: Islamic holiday dates can move forward or back by 1–2 days once the moon is officially sighted in Egypt or by regional religious authorities.
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday Name |
Category |
Quick Info |
|
January 1 |
Thursday |
New Year’s Day |
Bank Holiday |
Banks & some offices closed; not always a full public holiday. |
|
January 7 |
Wednesday |
Coptic Christmas / Eastern Christmas |
National Holiday |
Big day for Egypt’s Coptic community; public holiday nationwide. |
|
January 29 |
Sunday |
Revolution Day |
National Holiday |
Commemorates the 2011 uprising; national events & parades. |
|
February 18-19 |
Thursday |
Start of Ramadan |
Religious Observance |
Tentative; the month of daytime fasting begins. |
|
March 19–22 |
Fri–Sun |
Eid al-Fitr / Eid ul-Fitr |
National Holiday |
Tentative: 3-day celebration, sweets, family visits, prayers. |
|
April 13 |
Monday |
Sham El-Nessim / Spring Festival |
National Holiday |
Ancient spring picnic day; families head outdoors. |
|
April 25 |
Saturday |
Sinai Liberation Day (Eid Tahrir Sinai) |
National Holiday |
Marks 1982 return of the Sinai Peninsula. |
|
May 1 |
Friday |
Labour Day |
National Holiday |
International workers’ holiday. |
|
May 26 |
Tuesday |
Arafat Day / Day of Arafah |
National Holiday |
Tentative; key prelude to Eid al-Adha. |
|
May 27–29 |
Wed–Fri |
Eid al-Adha / Eid ul-Adha |
National Holiday |
Tentative: sacrifice, charity, family feasts. |
|
June 16 |
Wednesday |
Islamic New Year / Hijri New Year / Muharram New Year |
Public Holiday |
Tentative; beginning of the Islamic year 1448. |
|
June 30 |
Tuesday |
June 30 Revolution Day |
National Holiday |
Remembers 2013 events. |
|
July 23 |
Thursday |
July 23 Revolution Day |
National Holiday |
Celebrates the 1952 revolution, a major national holiday. |
|
August 26 |
Wednesday |
Mawlid |
National Holiday |
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday |
|
October 6 |
Tuesday |
Armed Forces Day |
National Holiday |
Commemorates the 1973 October (Yom Kippur) War. |
Additional notes: Exact dates for Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the Islamic New Year depend on moon sightings and are confirmed closer to the time. Egypt frequently grants extra days off during the Eids. Coptic Easter and the Prophet’s Birthday sometimes appear in calendars but are not always nationwide public holidays.
Egypt’s calendar reflects its Muslim majority and Coptic Christian minority. The two Eids are the highlight of the year; streets fill with new clothes, sweets, family visits, mosque prayers, and (for Eid al-Adha) charitable giving and sacrifice.
Ramadan transforms daily rhythm: shorter work hours, late-night iftar meals, decorated streets, and a festive atmosphere after sunset.
National days spark pride with flags, concerts, and fireworks in cities like Cairo and Alexandria.
Travel tip: If you’re visiting the Pyramids, Nile cruises, or Red Sea resorts, book well in advance around Eid periods, hotels and domestic flights fill up fast. Major tourist attractions usually remain open, though hours may change on public holidays.
For the most accurate updates, check announcements from the Egyptian government, Arab Public of Egypt, or trusted local calendars as 2026 approaches.