The 'Long Goodbye' guide covers Egypt's extended festive season from December 19, 2025, to January 7, 2026, featuring major music concerts, cultural performances, and Christian holidays. It highlights the opening event with Tiësto at the Pyramids of Giza, alongside diverse options for Western Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Coptic Christmas.
Published on December 18, 2025, the 'Long Goodbye' guide describes Cairo's crisp cold as a signal for the winter festive season. The three-week period includes parties, concerts, and feasts.
Opening act (Dec 19-20): Dutch DJ Tiësto delivers a massive electronic concert at the Pyramids of Giza on December 19, with doors opening at 6:00 PM amid expected traffic jams on Al-Haram Street. On December 20, Tamer Hosny performs a black-tie charity gala at Abdeen Palace.
Western Christmas (Dec 25-26): The Cairo Opera Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker in the Main Hall from December 25 to 29, with Tchaikovsky's score played live by the full orchestra. On December 26, Cairo Jazz Club in Agouza hosts an 'Xmas Special' singalong event.
New Year's Eve (Dec 31): In El Gouna, Saint Levant and French DJ Notre Dame headline at CUBIX, blending melodic house and global hip-hop. In Cairo, Cairo Jazz Club 610 in Sheikh Zayed offers 'Taxi El Sahra' with 90s Arabic pop, while Ruby performs at The Grand Theatre in New Cairo.
The 'Fifth Quarter' (Jan 1-7, 2026): Turkish artist Mahmut Orhan performs at CUBIX in El Gouna on January 1, followed by Argy and Stasi Sanlin on January 2 for techno. On January 5, Maia Moon appears at Al Manara Arena in Cairo. The season ends with Coptic Christmas on January 7 in Coptic Cairo, featuring visits to the Hanging Church and Abu Serga, plus festive buffets at Four Seasons Nile Plaza and Semiramis InterContinental.
The guide advises selections based on preferences, such as Tiësto at the Pyramids for history buffs or El Gouna for partygoers.
