Hurghada Events and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Hurghada, Egypt)

The Egyptian town of Hurghada is well known for its annual triathlon competition, which attracts international attention.

During the rest of the year, the Hurghada area is alive with various religious and commemorative events and other festivals.

Many of Hurghada's most colourful and well-attended festivals often celebration local saints and other historic characters.

National Public Holidays

• New Year's Day - January 1st
• Coptic Christmas - January
• Coptic Easter - March / April
• Sham an-Nessim - March / April
• Sinai Liberation Day - April 25th
• May Day - May 1st
• Liberation Day - June 18th
• Revolution Day - July 23rd
• Wafa'a el-Nil - August 15th
• Coptic New Year - September
• Armed Forces Day - October 6th
• Suez Victory Day - October 24th
• Victory Day- December 23rd

January

• Coptic Christmas - held in the first week of January, the Egyptian Christmas celebration sees Christians attending Mass, while they also fast for 43 days prior to this important day
• Islamic New Year - also known as Al Hijra, this occasion marks the day when Mohammed travelled from Mecca to Medina. Muslims use this day to reflect on their life and think about positive changes for the forthcoming year

February

• Hurghada International Festival - held in the first week of February, is a 12-day event featuring three sporting disciplines. It opens with a triathlon competition, followed by the recently introduced 75-km / 47-mile Mare Monti, where international competitors run off-road between the sea and the mountains. On the last day, athletes run the Hurghada Half Marathon, with the number of participants at over 200
• Hurghada International Fishing Festival - attracts anglers from all over the world to this prime fishing destination to compete for the finest catch

March

• Egypt Yoga Festival - held in the first week of March, lets you take part in yoga workshops and demonstrations while internationally renowned yoga experts teach you about the benefits of yoga

April

• Shem al Nessim - celebrates the first day of spring with a 'sniffing the breeze', which is celebrated on the first Monday following Coptic Easter. Popular ways of spending this national holiday are picnics and outdoor activities

May

• No significant events and festivals in Hurghada in the month of May

June

• Evacuation Day - June 18th is a national public holiday marking the evacuation of foreign troops in 1954

July

• Revolution Day - held on July 23rd, this public holiday marks the 1952 Revolution, when the Egyptian constitutional monarchy was overthrown

August

• No significant events and festivals in Hurghada in the month of August

September

• Ramadan - the ninth month of the Islamic calendar is a month of fasting, when Muslims do not eat from dawn to dusk with the aim of developing devoutness and self-discipline. Some businesses may be affected by this holiday

October

• Yacht Racing and Water Skiing Festival - held in the cities of Alexandria and Hurghada and attracting local and international yachtsmen and water-skiers

November

• No significant events and festivals in Hurghada in the month of November

December

• Victory Day - December 23rd is marked in commemoration of the 1973 Yom Kippur War between Israel and a coalition of Arab nations which included Egypt