Cairo International Book Fair

When: 21 Jan - 2 Feb 2010 (annual)
Where:Cairo Fair Grounds

The Cairo International Book Fair at Cairo Fair Grounds is one of the leading cultural activities in the Middle East, attracting over 3000 exhibitors and three million international visitors. Go along to a discussion with a world-famous guest speaker. The event was initially set up in 1969 with the purpose of narrowing the gap between Arabic and foreign language books - the latter outnumbering the former. Within the first few editions, it became a cultural landmark, attracting intellectuals, publishers, writers and book lovers from around the world. In addition to literature, science and intellectual book collections, there are also arts events, seminars and music.

Hurghada International Fishing Competition

When: 1 - 4 Feb 2010 (annual)
Where: Hurghada

The Hurghada International Fishing Competition attracts participants from across the world, who have three days to try and catch something that will impress the judges. On the fourth day the winner is announced and prizes are awarded across different categories.

International Egyptian Marathon

When: 12 Feb 2010 (annual)
Where: Luxor

The International Egyptian Marathon takes place annually in Luxor, attracting nearly 2000 long-distance runners from around 36 countries. The route runs past the famous ancient monuments of the West Bank and through the sugar cane fields of the local farmers.

Abu Simbel Festival

When: 22 Feb 2010 (various dates)
Where: Abu Simbel Temple
Cost: Free
Time: Sunrise

During the Abu Simbel Festival crowds fill the temple at sunrise to watch the shafts of light creeping across the stone, illuminating the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amun. This spectacular sight happens twice a year, in February and October. It was Ramses II who, in a fit of precision and architectural egotism, carefully angled his temple so that the inner sanctum would light up once on the anniversary of his rise to the throne, and once on his birthday. Impressively, it is only the inner sanctum that lights up, while the statute of Ptah (the god of darkness) remains in the shadows. When the Aswan Dam caused the Nasser lake to rise and inundate the area in the early 1960s, the entire temple was moved to higher ground and for this reason the sun now strikes a day later than Ramses had originally planned.

Pharaohs Rally

When: Oct 2010 (annual)
Where: Cairo
Cost: From €4000 participation cost

The Pharaohs Rally is a thrilling week-long endurance race across the Sahara attracting competitors from around the world. The 3000km circular route begins under the gaze of the Sphinx in Giza ending up back in the lively Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Festival of Tutankhamen Tomb Discovery

When: Nov 2010 (annual)
Where: Luxor

Egypt's Festival of Tutankhamen Tomb Discovery is an annual event organized by Luxor City Council. It celebrates the finding of the tomb on 4 November 1922, about 3500 years after the boy king was mummified. The festival is inspired by the ancient Opet, an Egyptian ceremony that commemorated the annual reunion of the Sacred Theban Triad (God Amon, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu) during the reign of King Tutankhamen.