The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Our Cairo weekend guide has been a space a lot of heart-to-heart talks with you about the euphoric feelings that take over once the weekend starts to loom from afar. However, this weekend the euphoria is doubled as, for many of us at least, this is going to be a long weekend.

Well, we’ve been told to cut off the long intro and dive, head first, into what Cairo and other places are offering this long weekend, because there’s a lot:

Take it slow as you start your weekend, by having a Thursday round of culture, to see some of the works of Egypt’s creative heads; check out the latest collection of Egypt’s A-List artist, George El Bahgoury, in Bahgoury exhibition at Picasso Art Gallery, or Hany Rashed’s exhibition, The Last Farewell, at Mashrabia and SOMA Art. The Latter also presents the works of 12 students of the Visual Arts program at the American University in Cairo, in an exhibition called A BODY; a great chance to see how Cairo’s future artists fare.

If you’re not into visual arts, you can still enjoy a cultural round at El Sawy Culturewheel, where the Jordanian Duo, Ahmed El Zamili and Mohamed Bashar are taking to the stage of The River Hall, or at 3elbet Alwan, with Lebanese musician, Elassi I, takes to stage for a night of reggae music. Elsewhere, Cairo Opera House presents Giacomo Puccini’s opera masterpiece, Tosca, which takes place in the Main Hall, while the Open Air Theatre sees The Beatles tribute band, Glass Onion, taking to the stage for a number of Beatles’ classics. Also, Gomhouria Theatre welcomes the Religious Song Ensemble, who, led by maestro Omar Farahat, perform a number of Sufi chants.

Funk OFF help kick-off Cairo Jazz Club’s Easter program on Thursday

Finish this round and start the night at either The Tap Maadi, where DJ Teddy Adel takes to decks, or at The Tap East, where DJ Minus T kicks off the weekend. Also, local band, Salalem are taking to the stage of Underground in Mohandiseen, as DJs Man-O and Gunga take to decks at Downtown’s Zigzag for a House Night. If you want an early Easter celebration, then head to Cairo Jazz Club, where they are having an Easter Music Feast, with Bluezophrena and Funk OFF, who take to stage for a night of funk, rock and blues.

If you happen to be outside of Cairo this Friday, then head to any of these music festivals; Marsa Alam’s Tondoba bay is having 3alganoob, with a line-up including Special Kay and Masar Igbari, while Soma Bay’s festival hosts Gipsy Kings, Strawberry Swing and The Dire Straits Experience. Bear in mind that both are lasting till Monday, so you are not really missing out on anything, while you are away from the city.

The Dire Straits Experience are set to close the Soma Bay Music Festival

Over in Sahl Hasheesh, meanwhile, byGanz kicks off its special Easter program with The Beach, where DJ Dest provides the music.

But if you’re in Cairo, forget it, brunch like a king at Cairo Marriott, where Omar’s Café and Promenade are offering a variety of BBQ delicacies to choose from, before heading to any of these live -music events: Mai Abdel Aziz takes to the stage of Bab 18 in Heliopolis, Al Hadra presents a Sufi Night at El Muez Street’s Al Rab3 and oud player, Yasmine El Baramawy takes to the stage of ROOM Art Space.  Also, Alexandrian-based project, Sourour, takes to the stage of 3elbet Alwan in Zamalek, to play a variety of genres.

Elsewhere, The Tap Maadi welcomes Electric Picnic, who take to stage for a rock night, while The Tap East hosts Dance Grooves, with DJ Armen V taking to decks.  Cairo Jazz Club continues its early Easter celebration, hosting a deep and tech house night, presenting local duo, Misty and Hafez. And if you have missed Minus T on Thursday, you can join him at Zigzag, where he takes charge of music, alongside DJ Chiati at Club Night.

If you happen to be in Gouna this Saturday, then head to Club 88, where they’re having Easter Party, presenting local DJs, Malek and Cheetos. If not, then start your day with Let’s Get Stuff’d at The Tap East, where they offer all-you-can-eat burgers and sausages, as well as unlimited local alcohol for 280LE per person.

Back at Sahl Hasheesh, after day two of The Beach, byGanz hosts one of its most popular nights, Disco Fel 90s.

When the night sets in, head to Cairo Jazz Club, where the two local bands, Sourour and Code Masr, take to stage, or The Tap Maadi, where musician from around Cairo assemble for an Open Jam Night. But if you think your talented enough to take to the stage yourself, then head to Maadi’s Cheers, because they are having a Saturday Karaoke Night.

Sunday is here, but guess what? We are still on vacation. Refresh yourself with a day in the sun at Galleria 40 in October, and pass by its new project, Designers Boulevard, where an endless number of creatives and artists gather to exhibit the fruits of their talents. You can also have an early Easter brunch at Four Seasons Nile Plaza’s Zitouni, before heading to Cairo Opera House in Zamalek, where Abdel Halim Nowera Ensemble take to the stage of the Main Hall to play a number of classical Arabic song, while the Small Hall sees a violin and Piano recital. 

At Night, Nox at The Nile Ritz-Carlton hosts Easter Dine & Dance, where DJ Lyon provides the music as you sip your complementary glass of white wine. Meanwhile, Graffiti at Four Season Nile Plaza celebrates Easter, by hosting Easter Egg-stravaganza, welcoming DJ Remon, belly dancer Oxana and other live shows.

Outside of Cairo, one of Easter’s biggest events sees byGanz bring the Burning Beach concept to the shores of Sahl Hasheesh for a huge day party with a huge line-up.

Monday, which is Easter, is finally here. Well, we know that Easter here in Egypt is all about feasting, eating and food, and that’s ok, because food is one of the finest things in life, which can be doubly-enjoyed around friends and family. While many hotels in Cairo offer Easter brunches, only a few know how to create an unforgettable memory that leaves every single member of the family with a smile on the face. From the latter, Zamalek Cairo Marriott not only offers brunch at Promenade’s cafe, but also a breakfast for early risers at Omar’s Café, see here for more details.

But if you want to do Easter the Pharaonic way, and have brunch by The Nile, you have plenty of places to go; The Nile Ritz-Carlton has an endless options to spend your Easter, whether it’s brunch, lunch or some fun memories for your little ones – rhymes well, ha – they have it all, see what they offer here.

Also, by The Nile is Kempinski’s brunch at The Nile Ballroom, Four Season Nile Plaza’s Zitouni, where they have an all-day brunch or Pool Grill’s special celebration of Sham El Nessim, including live music and many other activities for all members of the family and Semiramis Intercontinental Cairo, where Easter brunch is taking place at The Nile Terrace and Pool Deck.

Last but not least, Ramses Hilton has a lot to offer too, check it out here.

You want more? Check the events page on Cairo 360.