Cairo Opera House Summer Festival
The Cairo Opera House Summer Festival is a flagship summer tradition run by the Cairo Opera House in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. The 2026 edition opens on 18 July and runs through to 10 August, with 18 performances spread across three stages in Cairo, Alexandria and Damanhour.
Cairo’s Open Air Theatre hosts the bulk of the programme, including concerts by the Talent Development Centre, a collaboration between the Alexandria Opera Orchestra and Strings Ensemble with Hany Shenouda, a night with Nesma Mahgoub and her band, two evenings of Arabic music, and a programme titled “Sufism and Modernity” presented by Fathi Salama with Sheikh Mahmoud El-Tohamy and his band.
What to expect
- 18 performances across Cairo, Alexandria and Damanhour
- Open-air concerts at the Cairo Opera House from 18 July
- Arabic music, Sufi fusion and youth ensemble nights
- Free or low-cost Ministry of Culture ticketing
Highlights
✦ Opens 18 July at the Cairo Opera House
✦ 18 performances across three cities
✦ Sufism and Modernity with Fathi Salama and Sheikh El-Tohamy
✦ Affordable Ministry of Culture ticketing
Tips
Open Air Theatre seats fill fast - arrive 30 minutes before the 8:00pm start.
Evenings can be humid in July; the open-air venue is cooler than the halls.
Check the Cairo Opera House calendar for the daily programme closer to the date.
Combine with a stroll through Gezira island before the show.