Cairo
The Egyptian Centre for Culture & Art runs this intimate space dedicated to folk music. Don’t miss the traditional women’s zar, a sort of musical trance…
Must-see entertainment in Egypt
Cairo
Regular Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows by musical ensembles such as Rango, a trancey Sudanese folk group, and the El Tanboura Band, playing…
Alexandria
Bustling arts centre in the heart of Alexandria, offering live gigs, contemporary theatre, film screenings and art exhibitions. There is a book and craft…
Cairo
Performances by the Cairo Opera and the Cairo Symphony Orchestra are held in the 1200-seat Main Hall, where jacket and tie are required for men …
Cairo
This super-cool creative space aims to be a ‘trampoline’ for contemporary art, which gives an idea of the fun to be found here – there's a regular program…
Southern Nile Valley
Although the commentary is predictably cheesy, you really can't beat strolling through Philae's temple at night. Show times, with commentary in alternate…
Cairo
Egyptian rock and jazz bands play at this lively and very active complex of a dozen performance spaces and galleries tucked under a bridge overpass. There…
Abu Simbel
A sound-and-light show is performed nightly at Abu Simbel. Headphones are provided, allowing visitors to listen to the commentary in various languages…
Cairo
Keeping Cairene kids entertained since 1959, this is the Arab world's biggest puppet theatre. Shows are in Arabic but are colourful and animated enough to…
Al Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe
Cairo
Egypt’s only Sufi dance troupe – more raucous and colourful than the better-known white-clad Turkish dervishes – puts on a mesmerising performance three…
Cairo
The Cairo Jazz Club has kept up with the beat, and it has one of the city’s liveliest stages, with modern Egyptian folk, electronica, fusion and more,…
Cairo
This excellent cultural centre hosts Sunday evening films (7.30pm), ranging from Dutch art-house features to the latest works by young Egyptian directors …
Cairo
Al Azhar Park’s 300-seat open-air theatre hosts touring artists from overseas, big-name stars from the Middle East and local Egyptian bands and musicians…
Aswan
Between October and February/March, Aswan’s folkloric dance troupe sporadically performs Nubian tahtib (dance performed with wooden staves) and songs…
Alexandria
Very active cultural centre offering contemporary theatre, film screenings, contemporary art exhibitions and music performances, of Egyptian artists and…
Alexandria
This active cultural centre, housed in a whitewashed villa, hosts contemporary arts exhibitions, poetry readings and occasional free concerts in its…
Cairo
Seminars and lectures in German on Egyptology and other topics, plus visiting music groups, art exhibitions and film screenings.The library has more than…
Cairo
One of Cairo's most active cultural centres, the Italian institute hosts a busy program of art house films plus lectures (sometimes in English) and art…
Hurghada
An offshoot of the Cairo-based cultural and performance space, El Sawy stages music and theatre performances and other events and activities for children…
Alexandria
The former Sayed Darwish Theatre has been refurbished and now this lovely, frivolous building houses the city’s modestly proportioned but splendid opera…
Cairo
Wonderful arthouse cinema showing both local and international films, but mainly from North Africa and Middle East, with English subtitles.
Giza
Narrated by the Sphinx, this is a rather dated spectacular. It’s not worth a special trip, but fine if you’re in the area – it is neat to see the Pyramids…
Luxor
This highly kitsch sound and light show is a 1½-hour Hollywood-style extravaganza that recounts the history of Thebes and the lives of the many pharaohs…
Cairo
Egypt's 'tech valley'. Once part of the old AUC campus, this set of buildings has been transformed into a hub for local tech and media start-ups. As well…
Cairo
The best of the Nile cruisers, run by the Marriott, is a relatively economical way to see a big-name belly-dancing star such as Randa or Farah, along with…
Cairo
Worth visiting for the gorgeous interior alone, this old-school hall got a makeover in recent years, and its Orientalist fantasia, complete with red…
Cairo
The Fairmont Nile City's restaurant is one of the classier venues to take in a belly dancing show with long-time Cairo favourite Soreya regularly…
Cairo
This five-star club is all red curtains and white marquee lights. Top seats, at tables nearest the stage go for LE1900 (drinks not included), with the…
Cairo
Once Cairo's finest, this old 1930s cinema has been spruced up enough in recent years to even show 3D movies. Foreign films are usually shown in their…
