April Holidays in Egypt
April in Egypt is a joyful month, as it is full of various holidays along with the cool spring weather that spreads happiness among people to enjoy their outdoor activities. So, it’s a great opportunity to indulge in the Egyptian culture and witness new holidays that will amaze your mind. Also, celebrating April holidays in Egypt is something that has ancient roots for Egyptians, as this month has several ancient holidays that people still commemorate nowadays.
Overview Of The Most Significant Egyptian Holidays In April
This month has a good combination of holidays—religious, national, and historical ones—that highlight this period of time to be attractive for travelers who are aiming to witness new cultures and traditions. From the Coptic Easter to Sinai Liberation Day, you will feel thrilled among the vibrant vibes in the streets as people celebrate by making out-door activities to enjoy the beginning of the spring in Egypt and feel its cool breeze, which is something traditional since ancient Egypt.
Coptic Good Friday (18 April/Friday)
Eastern Orthodox Christians from all over the world commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on this sacred day known as “Good Friday” that is celebrated just before Easter Sunday. Also, it’s celebrated in Egypt and known as “Sad,” “Great,” or “Holy Friday” in accordance with the main church in Egypt, which is the Coptic Church. People usually do prayers from early morning until dawn on this day. Additionally, it is an off-day for the Egyptians, as schools and most businesses are closed.
Copts Egyptians celebrate Coptic Good Friday
Historical Facts
- According to the beliefs of the Bible, Jesus was arrested after being accused of blasphemy, and then he was sentenced to death as well. Jesus took with him his cross to the site of his execution, called “Golgotha” in Hebrew, or the place of the skull, and in Latin “Calvary.” There, two convicted criminals crucified him alongside him.
- Jesus was held on the cross for six hours. According to the New Testament, darkness fell across the land with a loud cry of Jesus giving up his spirit during his last three hours on the cross, from noon to 3pm.
- The cross is an essential belief in the Christian faith.
- Good Friday has roots in early Christianity, with Egyptian Copts tracing their religious heritage back to Saint Mark the Evangelist in the 1st century AD.
- Copts usually fast on Good Friday. They prohibit eating all meat, fish, dairy products, and oil. The fast begins on Holy Thursday evening and continues until Easter Sunday.
- This day is full of church services that usually begin in the morning and continue into the afternoon. These services include reading of scriptures, prayers, and hymns that reflect on Jesus’ passion and crucifixion.
- The mood during these services is contemplative and shady. Churches are often adorned with black cloth, and icons may be covered as a sign of mourning.
Coptic Holy Saturday (19 April/Saturday)
Holy Saturday is the day between the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday) and the day of his resurrection (Easter Sunday), in reference to Christian belief. Many Orthodox Christians commemorate Christ’s burial on this day. This day is also known as Joyous Saturday or the Saturday of Light, which is a significant day in the Church of Coptic Orthodox. The history of observing Holy Saturday is rooted in Christians’ early traditions.
Facts and Traditions:
- Egyptian Copts spend this day with a sense of sadness, reflection, and anticipation for the joy of the resurrection. Traditionally, the Coptic Church holds a special rite on this day, which makes it different from other hieratic services throughout the year.
- There are a series of Old Testament readings that foretell the resurrection of Christ.
- Copts involves blessing water on this day to commemorate the presence of Christ on earth.
- In the evening, a ceremony known as “The Lighting of the Paschal Candle” takes place, symbolizing Jesus as the light who banished darkness.
- Many believers continue with Lenten fasting, which comes to an end with this day.
- Devotees spend time in prayer and observation, waiting for Easter celebrations.
- Most families also prepare for Easter Sunday by cleaning their homes, cooking traditional meals, going out, and decorating eggs.
- Most people are in a state of waiting on this day, not only to mourn for Jesus’ death but also to prepare to celebrate his resurrection. It serves as a quiet before the ecstasy of Easter in Egypt’s Coptic community.
Coptic Easter Sunday (20 April/Sunday)
On Easter, people celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which occurred three days after his crucifixion. Coptic Easter is based on the Julian Calendar, so it takes place on a different date than Western Easter, as Western Christian churches use the Gregorian Calendar. In the lead up to Easter, people start their fast known as ‘the Great Fast’ as they stop consuming any animal products. It’s also a period of several events, as Palm Sunday happens one week before Easter to commemorate the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Then, it’s followed by Holy Week, which ends on Easter Sunday. On Easter Eve, or Holy Saturday, there may be an Easter awareness.
Then on Easter Sunday, there are usually big dinners for families where people finally break their period of fasting. This dinner usually includes fish, meat, eggs, Egyptian desserts, biscuits, and “fatteh,” a dish with rice, meat, and other ingredients laid on top of a crispy flatbread. Also, most people wear new clothes for the feast, especially when family and friends gather together. Some children also decorate eggs as a sign of new life and resurrection.
There are lots of various traditions about decorating eggs in different cultures to do with the Easter celebration. Then, the next day is known as ‘Spring Day’; it is well known in Egypt as ‘Sham al-Nessim’, a celebration of the beginning of spring. Spring Day usually falls in the middle of the Great Fast, which was a reason to prevent people from celebrating the big feast by eating solid fish as being done traditionally. That is why Spring Day is now always the Monday after Easter Sunday when people break their fast.
Facts and Traditions
- Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt assemble in the churches on their Holy Saturday to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
- The Copts in Egypt are one of the oldest communities of Christians in the world.
- They usually attend the Holy Saturday Mass to express their faith and happiness at being able to mark the beginning of Easter.
- Easter holiday comes at the end of a 55-day fast, during which Coptic Orthodox believers stop consuming meat, fish or dairy products.
- The Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt split from other Christian churches in 451 A.D. after a dispute about the nature of Christ.
- Unlike Roman Catholics, the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt does not believe in papal infallibility.
Spring Festival National Holiday (21 April/Monday)
Egyptians across the country on this day usually unite to celebrate Sham El-Nassim—one of the country’s oldest and most sacred holidays. In 2025, the event falls on April 21. The literal meaning of Sham El-Nassim is smelling the breeze in Arabic, and it’s for celebrating the arrival of spring to begin agricultural season. This event is believed to have ancient roots, with celebrations dating back thousands of years since ancient Egyptians and predating religion. Today, both Muslims and Coptic Christians celebrate Sham El-Nessim as a national holiday, observing traditions unchanged for millennia.
Facts and Traditions
- Some inscriptions on the ancient temples dedicate the first celebration of Sham El-Nessim, which took place in the third dynasty, between 2650 BC and 2575 BC. Back then, it was known as “Shemu,” a spring festival when citizens offered salted fish and other foods to various deities as a traditional way to celebrate spring.
- As the official language of Egypt became Arabic, the name was phono-semantically matched to Sham El-Nessim, and celebrations began to be as those we see today.
- This holiday has long been celebrated on the Monday after Orthodox Easter, as this change likely happened during the Roman Empire.
- On Sham El-Nessim, people of all religions usually head to parks and gardens to celebrate spring. The weather at this time of year is most likely pleasant, with mild temperatures, which are enjoyed by all people. Picnics and out-door activities are the best choice to do on this day; families tend to gather and feast on traditional food, while kids like to enjoy games such as football. Also, there are other popular activities like Nile cruising; beach visits and tours to the zoo are great things to do on this day.
Sinai Liberation Day (25 April/Friday)
Top 5 Reasons To Visit Egypt This April
- The weather is extremely cool for out-door activities and visiting the historical sites without worrying about the sun heat.
- April holidays are various and interesting in Egypt, which will open for you the opportunity to witness different things and explore new cultures.
- The Grand Egyptian Museum will be open by then, which is a must-see for anyone who is interested in history and ancient Egypt.
- April has religious vibes for Christians, so it’s a good shot for religious people or people who are interested in Coptic history.
- The spring is a great time for visiting the Red Sea and chilling out.
Things To Do In Egypt During April Holidays
There are many things in the spring to do during April holidays in Egypt, here are some suggestions for you to enjoy your trip:
- Visiting the Red Sea is an absolute thing that you don’t want to miss in April to enjoy the sunny weather with a cool breeze, especially when you try the famous beach activities such as diving, snorkeling, and parasailing.
- Traveling to Sinai to share the joy with the Egyptians for gaining it back after the occupation while enjoying the beautiful nature and experiencing desert safari.
- Making a tour to Coptic Cairo to visit the prominent sites in the Coptic history to know more about their culture to enjoy their April holidays.
Conclusion
April is the beginning of the spring in Egypt and has various holidays that anyone can enjoy while experiencing new culture and exploring new places, so if you are looking into a great adventure and vibrant atmosphere, then traveling to Egypt in April is an outstanding chance for anyone.
