Things to Do in Egypt at Christmas: Cairo, Nile Cruise & the Red Sea

Yes, Egypt can be a good place to spend Christmas if you want to combine sightseeing with cultural or coastal activities. December is a popular sightseeing month. Major visitor sites generally operate in winter, but check the current timetable and any special arrangements for your visit date. Many Catholic and Protestant Christians observe Christmas on December 25, while Coptic Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7 in the current calendar alignment.

1. Giza Pyramids — December’s comfortable daytime conditions make it easier to spend time walking around the Giza Plateau and visiting the surrounding monuments.
2. Grand Egyptian Museum — The museum is close to the Giza Plateau and can be combined with it if you allow enough time for both visits and the transfer. Check the selected date and entry time when booking.
3. Coptic Cairo — Explore historic churches and the area’s Christian heritage during visitor hours. Attending a Christmas service requires separate confirmation of the church’s programme and visitor access.
4. Nile dinner cruise in Cairo — Hotels and cruise operators may add seasonal dining or entertainment programmes during the Christmas period, with the exact arrangements depending on the package.
5. Khan El Khalili — Browse traditional souvenirs, handmade gifts and spices while exploring Cairo; do not assume a dedicated Christmas market is operating.
6. Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan — A multi-day river journey can combine several major ancient sites. Confirm the actual sailing date and itinerary with the operator.
7. Karnak & Luxor Temple — Explore Luxor’s major temple sites during their current visitor hours. An early start can help spread your sightseeing across the day; check the timetable for your date.
8. Philae Temple — December has shorter daylight hours in Aswan, making a morning visit a useful way to allow enough time for the island and temple before sunset.
9. Red Sea — snorkelling or diving — Water activities can be part of a December visit, subject to sea conditions, the operator and your comfort in the water.
10. Red Sea — desert safari — December’s milder desert conditions make afternoon and evening safari activities more suitable than during Egypt’s hotter months.

Cairo offers plenty of things to do at Christmas, from exploring the Giza Pyramids and visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum to discovering Coptic Cairo, Khan El Khalili and the Nile after dark.

Start the day at the Giza Pyramids, then consider the Grand Egyptian Museum if you can allow enough time for both visits and the transfer. Combining them in one day is an option, rather than a requirement. GEM tickets are tied to a selected date and entry time; check the official GEM ticketing website for the current timetable and available slots before booking.

For Coptic Cairo, the Hanging Church and Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus are among the historic churches to include in the area. A daytime heritage visit is different from attending a Christmas liturgy. Coptic Christmas Eve is January 6 in the current calendar alignment; service times and visitor access depend on the church and its programme. For religious observance and visitor etiquette, see our Coptic Christmas in Egypt guide.

Khan El Khalili works well later in the day, when you can browse traditional crafts, jewelry, spices, small souvenirs and seasonal gift items. For the evening, a Nile dinner cruise provides a different way to experience Cairo after the daytime sightseeing.

A Christmas Nile cruise lets you travel between Luxor and Aswan while visiting some of Upper Egypt’s major ancient sites along the way. Stops may include Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temple, depending on the itinerary. Confirm the actual sailing date, embarkation point and included visits with the operator.

Christmas dinners and other onboard activities are not the same on every cruise, as they depend on the individual package and its programme.

For sailing options, routes and booking considerations, see our Christmas Nile cruise guide.

Spending Christmas in Luxor and Aswan focuses your trip on ancient sites and Nile landscapes. December is a popular period for sightseeing in Upper Egypt, when outdoor visits are easier to combine with a full day of activities.

In Luxor, visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple and take time to explore the West Bank. A hot-air balloon ride is another option, usually taking place early in the morning when conditions are suitable. From above, you can see the Nile, the temples and the surrounding landscape from a different perspective.

In Aswan, visit Philae Temple and consider extending your trip to Abu Simbel if your itinerary allows. A felucca ride on the Nile is a relaxed way to spend part of the afternoon or watch the sunset, with traditional sailing boats moving between the islands and riverbanks.

Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh offer a different way to spend Christmas, combining time by the Red Sea with outdoor activities. December is a popular period for visiting the coast, with opportunities for both water activities and desert excursions.

In Hurghada, you can go snorkelling or diving to explore the Red Sea’s coral reefs and marine life. Water activities depend on sea conditions, the operator and your comfort in the water. Some resorts may offer seasonal dinners or entertainment; confirm the programme for your property and dates.

In Sharm El Sheikh, a desert safari or quad-bike trip may be combined with an evening meal if that is included in the operator’s programme. New Year’s Eve dinners and entertainment vary by property and year; ask the venue to confirm any fireworks rather than assuming they are included.

December conditions vary between Cairo, Upper Egypt and the Red Sea coast. Use the climate figures below to plan activity timing and layers; check a current forecast before travel.

Source: WeatherSpark’s December climate profiles for Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Arrows show typical daily averages changing from early to late December, rather than a fixed monthly temperature. Celsius values are rounded conversions of the source’s Fahrenheit figures. These are historical climate estimates, not a forecast for Christmas Day or January.

Popular sites, hotels and Nile cruises can be busy around Christmas and New Year. Confirm opening schedules and any special arrangements for the activities you choose. Light layers are useful during the day, with a warmer layer for evening or early-morning outings. For wider dates, weather and trip planning, see our Christmas in Egypt guide.

Some hotels, malls and restaurants in Cairo put up Christmas decorations during the festive season. Seasonal markets, dining events or shows may be advertised, but dates, locations and admission arrangements vary by organiser and year. Check the venue’s current announcement before adding an event to your plans.

For the cultural background to food and social celebrations, see our guide to how Egyptians celebrate Christmas.

If your trip continues through December 31, a hotel, resort or cruise may offer New Year’s Eve dining or entertainment. Confirm the actual programme, reservation requirements and any compulsory gala charge with the venue or operator.

Pack light layers for daytime sightseeing and a warmer jacket for cooler evenings, particularly when visiting Cairo or Upper Egypt.

If your dates are fixed around Christmas or New Year, confirm the activities you want early. Check that any museum admission, boat excursion or festive dinner is actually included in your booking.

December 25 is not a national public holiday in Egypt; Coptic Christmas on January 7 is a public holiday, with the official observed arrangements announced for the year. Confirm individual venue schedules. A local guide can help explain the historical and cultural context of the places you visit.

Things to do in Egypt at Christmas range from Cairo’s historic attractions and a Nile cruise to Upper Egypt and the Red Sea.

Choose an itinerary based on the destinations you want to combine, the length of your stay, and the activities that matter most to you.