Cairo Entertainment

The Cairo entertainment scene is not as many people would imagine. The choices available are immense and range from dance performances to theatre shows and from dining out to gambling at one of the city’s many casinos. On a night out, locals will often meet for a coffee and a chat before the feasting, drinking and dancing begins. Tourists needs are fully catered for and you are guaranteed to enjoy yourself, whatever you decide to do.

Nightlife

When the sun goes down, Cairo becomes a hub of activity; it is even busier at night than it is during the day. The music and dancing carries on until the early hours and although some places close at about 04:00 in the morning, many places are open 24 hours. If you really want to experience the nightlife in Cairo, Wednesday and Thursday nights are the busiest of the week. There are many styles of bars located throughout Cairo, all of which lose and gain popularity on a monthly basis. The very basic Baladi bars are safe, but also very male-dominated and not ideal for women on their own or in single-sex groups. All of the top hotels have their own bars, which are all designed to meet Western standards. These are popular both with locals and with guests staying at these establishments. Nightclubs are also popular drinking destinations. These are not the same as western clubs, but are instead places where you can go to eat and watch a show, with the most popular performances being belly dancing. Again, the top hotels offer excellent nightclubs, while you will find some seedier venues dotted around the city. It is advisable to only visit a lesser-known nightclub if you have a recommendation from an Egyptian friend. Casinos are also very popular with both locals and tourists. There are 12 casinos in Cairo, most of which are located within the larger hotels. They serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. 

Theatre and Music

Belly dancing is Egypt’s national dance. Casinos, hotels and theatres all put on dancing shows, which are very popular with locals and tourists alike. You can also find concerts of classical Arab music and watch dervishes perform their whirling dances in ancient surroundings. Cairo has its own opera company, who put on performances throughout the year. The Jazz Club in the centre of the city is the best place to see live music, with a selection of both western and Arab music. The Opera House hosts many performances from groups such as: Cairo Opera Company, Cairo Opera Ballet Company, Cairo Symphony orchestra and the National Arab Music Ensemble. Events are advertised in local newspapers and throughout the city. International music, ballet and opera groups perform here throughout the year, with ticket prices being a fraction of what you would pay in the UK.

Festivals

Cairo hosts a number of events and festivals throughout the year. These include:

• The Cairo Film Festival, showing some obscure worldwide films. This event has been held for 25 years and runs from November to December.
• The Cairo Book Fair, which is considered to be the largest book fair in the Middle East. Held in February.
• The Oriental Dance Festival is a recent addition to the Cairo events calendar. Belly dance performances are in abundance, with performers attending from across the globe in June and July.
• The Experimental Theatre Festival is now is its 17th year. It offers Egyptian artists the chance to meet to discuss ideas and view worldwide theatre productions throughout September.

The Pyramids of Giza are host to sound and light shows every night. Ancient history is brought alive by these shows, which take place in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Arabic. Private shows can be booked, but there must be at least 100 people in attendance.