Things to Know about Abu Simbel Sun Festival 2025

Sun Festival at Abu Simbel Temple is a perfect and intricate combination of ancient Egyptian engineering and the natural phenomenon, which draws numerous tourists to catch a glimpse into such ancient wonder - a beam of the sun's rays on three of the four statues deep inside the temple. Here's some useful information you may need to know if you're planning to join in this special event during your Egypt tour.

What Is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival?

It celebrates the anniversary of Ramses II's ascension to the throne on February 22 and his birthday on October 22 at the Abu Simbel Temples.

The ancient builders positioned the Great Temple amazingly precisely so that on mornings of these two days, sunlight illuminates three of the four statues inside: Ramses II, Amun, and Ra, while the statue of Ptah remains in shadow, symbolizing his connection to the underworld.

This alignment wasn't just a technical feat; it was a way of showing that the gods approved of Ramses II's rule. The sun lighting up his statue symbolized his divine power and legitimacy as a ruler, making it a spectacular and meaningful event to witness.

If you're planning a cultural trip to Egypt, visiting Abu Simbel during the Sun Festival is an unforgettable experience.

Sun Illuminates Face of Ramses II

When Is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival Held?

As we mentioned above, this festival was held to celebrate the throne and birthday of Ramses II, so it occurs twice a year, on February 22 and October 22.

The festival's origin dates back to the completion of the temples, originally celebrated on February 21 and October 21. However, due to the relocation of the temples in the mid-20th century to protect them from the rising waters of the Aswan High Dam, the precise alignment shifted slightly, moving the festival dates by one day.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Essential Egypt with Abu Simbel 9 DAYS Explore This Tour

What Can Be Expected During the Festival

The Sun Festival is unique and full of excitement. Here are some highlights that you would not miss:

Abu Simbel Temple in Unique Solar Phenomenon

Abu Simbel Sun Festival Ray Phenomenon

The highlight of the festival is no doubt the breathtaking solar event inside the Great Temple of Abu Simbel. Just after sunrise, sunlight travels through the temple's long passageway, illuminating the inner sanctuary and the statues. This extraordinary phenomenon has persisted for over 3,200 years and lasts approximately 20 minutes.

On festival days, visitors are allowed inside the temple to witness this rare spectacle up close. However, to ensure everyone has a chance to see it, attendees will be asked to move along quickly after viewing the illuminated statues.

Traditional Nubian Dance and Live Music Performance

Traditional Nubian Dance

While besides this most exciting solar spectacle, the Sun Festival is alive with a grandiose celebration of King Ramses' coronation and birthday, including a commemorative procession, local traditional dance, and music performance.

The first section is an epic procession at the Abu Simbel temples. You can see locals gathering to commemorate their ancient gods in a lively way of rhythmic chants, music, and cheerful dance.

You can't miss the native Nubian music and dance, which are extremely captivating parts of the festival. Traditional Egyptian musicians and dancers dressed in striking outfits boss the performance with characteristic rhythms and refreshing dance steps.

When the sun sets, you can also watch a dramatic sound and light show featuring the lit-up Abu Simbel temples. It's a nice opportunity to participate in such festivities and take a wonderful glimpse into local Nubian culture in a vibrant festival atmosphere.

Fresh Koshari - Egypt's National Dish

Koshari

Food is an integral part of every festival. The Sun Festival is no exception. Festive markets around the temples go bustling during the festival. There are lines of food stalls offering traditional Egyptian cuisines. You can be delighted by mouthwatering Egyptian pastries, kebabs, and a range of drinks.

Among the foods, Koshari, Egypt's national dish, could be an unusual must-try during the Sun Festival. It's a popular vegan cuisine around the nation, made with brown lentil rice, pasta, chickpeas, fried onion rings, and spicy tomato sauce. You can have different tastes of fresh Koshari at any restaurant and food stall, especially when paired with the local Egyptian lemon sauce. The unique flavor is one you will never forget.

How to Take an Abu Simbel Sun Festival Tour

The Sun Festival at Abu Simbel is one of most famous Egyptian festivals. To fully enjoy this extraordinary event, careful planning is essential, considering timing, crowds, and nearby accommodations.

Stay in Abu Simbel Village:

While Aswan is a common tourist hub, it is about 280 km far from Abu Simbel and not ideal for witnessing the sun ray phenomenon early in the morning.

Abu Simbel village, located near the temples, offers a more convenient option. Though the hotels are simple, the village is charming, uncrowded, and features picturesque Nubian-style domed houses.

Book Flights and Hotels Early:

Abu Simbel is typically visited after exploring Aswan. From Aswan, you can reach Abu Simbel by road in about 3.5 hours. Alternatively, flights from Aswan to Abu Simbel take just 45 minutes but are significantly more expensive.

During the festival season, flights to Aswan from other cities often sell out months in advance, and accommodations in Abu Simbel village are very limited. To ensure a smooth and comfortable trip, it's highly recommended to secure your transportation and lodging well ahead of time.

Customize Your Itinerary With Odynovo:

For a hassle-free Sun Festival experience, Odynovo offers personalized Egypt tours. Our seasoned travel experts handle all the arrangements, including hotel bookings, transportation, guided explanations, and tickets. By the way, the festival is held during the best period to explore Egypt, and you can also extend your itinerary with experiences like a Nile cruise, a hot-air balloon ride over Luxor, or a relaxing Red Sea holiday.

Click to customize your trip now! With Odynovo's expertise and your interests in mind, your Abu Simbel Sun Festival tour will be effortless, enriching, and unforgettable!