Public Holidays in Egypt

Holidays in Egypt have many classifications. There are a set of national holidays celebrated by the entire population. Since Islam is the state religion, the Islamic holidays are observed by all Egyptians. Christian holidays are not national holidays (except eastern Christmas), however the Christian population are permitted to observe these holidays.

National holidays
The following holidays are celebrated across the country, with the government offices and ministries closed. These holidays are either national secular holidays or important religious holidays.
Date English Name Description
January 7 Eastern Christmas Celebrates the nativity of Jesus, according to the Eastern Coptic church
April 25 Sinai Liberation Day Celebrates the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Sinai peninsula
May 1 Labour Day
July 23 Revolution Day Celebrates the beginning of the 1952 Revolution
October 6 Armed Forces Day Celebrates The Crossing of the Suez Canal by Egyptian forces during the Yom Kippur War

Movable holidays
The following holidays are public holidays but the date on which each occurs varies, according to its corresponding calendar, and thus has no set date. In order in which they occur:
English Name Description
Sham El Nessim (Spring festival) Follows Easter in Egypt.
Islamic New Year
Prophet Mohammed's Birthday
Ramadan Feast Religious holiday for 2 days.
Sacrifice Feast Religious holiday for 3 days.

Other holidays
These holidays are widely celebrated, yet government offices, public institutions and ministries remain open.
Date English Name Description
January 1 New Year's Day The New Year according to the Gregorian calendar
March 21 Mother's Day
June 18 Evacuation Day (Eid ElGalaa) Celebrates the evacuation of foreign troops in 1954
August 15 Flooding of the Nile (Wafaa Elnil) Celebrates the start of the Nile floods
October 21 Egyptian Naval Day Celebrates the destruction of Israeli destroyer Eilat (1967)
October 24 Suez Day / Popular Resistance Day Celebrates the resistance of local police forces in Suez during the Suez Crisis
December 23 Victory Day Celebrates the ending of the Suez Crisis