The Abu Simbel Sun Festival on 22 February and 22 October
On two mornings a year the first sunlight passes through the entrance of the Great Temple, down the central axis and into the sanctuary at the back. It falls on the seated statues there. The Sun Festival, or solar phenomenon, takes place on 22 February and 22 October.
The next date is 22 February 2027. Do not plan around a fixed festival schedule, since the program for that day can change.
Our pick: stay the night in Abu Simbel
A night in Abu Simbel puts you close to the temple early in the morning. This is a regular trip, not a festival ticket.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Abu Simbel tours for the Sun Festival and normal days
Day trips from Aswan, flights and longer tours with live prices and availability. For the festival dates, check the pickup time and book early.
What happens at the sanctuary
Four seated figures, and three of them are lit.
The sanctuary holds four seated figures: Ptah, Amun-Ra, the deified Ramses II and Ra-Horakhty. When the sun reaches them, Ramses, Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty are lit. Ptah stays outside the light.
The temple was cut deep into the rock more than 3,000 years ago and moved in the 1960s. For the history of the Great Temple, see the page on the Temple of Ramses II, and for the move, the UNESCO relocation.
The two dates are not the equinoxes. The reason behind these two days is debated, and no explanation is certain.
Times, tickets and crowds
What to expect on a festival day.
| Visitor | Normal day (2026) | 22 February and 22 October |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign adult | EGP 750 | EGP 1,200 |
| Foreign student | EGP 375 | EGP 600 |
| Egyptian adult | EGP 30 | EGP 60 |
| Egyptian student | EGP 10 | EGP 20 |
The site opens daily from 06:00 to 17:00. Expect the light to stay on the statues for roughly 20 minutes in the early morning. Treat that as a rough guide, not a schedule. The timing differs from year to year, and a clear view is never guaranteed.
Festival mornings are crowded. Visitors arrive before dawn, some stay overnight near the site, and there is music and dancing outside. Nobody can promise you a spot in front of the sanctuary. See the tickets and opening hours for the full price list.
How to plan for the next date
The main problem is the early hour.
Sleep in Abu Simbel
A standard day trip leaves Aswan at 04:00 and drives about 3.5 hours each way. That reaches the site after 07:30, which may be too late for the light on the statues. Staying in the village is the most reliable way to be there early. See where to stay.
Ask about an earlier start
If you book a day trip, ask whether the pickup is earlier on festival days. Check that the price covers the festival ticket, which is higher than the normal one.
Book early
Hotels and tours fill up around the two dates. Make your plans well ahead for 22 February 2027, and check the current situation again before you go.
Come on a different day
Without the festival, the temples are calmer. The light is not on the statues on other days, but you still see the halls, the reliefs and the sanctuary. See inside the temples.
If you start from Aswan, take a look at things to do in Aswan for the evening before.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the festival fits.
Abu Simbel Sun Festival: frequently asked questions
When is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival?
On 22 February and 22 October every year. The next date is 22 February 2027.
Is it the equinox?
No. The dates do not match the equinoxes. The reason for these two days is debated.
How much does a ticket cost on festival days?
EGP 1,200 for foreign adults and EGP 600 for foreign students in 2026, against EGP 750 and EGP 375 on a normal day. Online portals can show slightly higher totals, so check the final amount at checkout.
How long does the light stay on the statues?
Roughly 20 minutes in the early morning. The timing differs from year to year, so treat it as a rough guide.
Can I reserve a place in the sanctuary?
A ticket or tour booking does not guarantee a place in front of the statues. Nobody can promise access or a clear view during the illumination, so arrive early.
Is this the official festival website?
No. This is an independent guide, not run by the ministry, the antiquities authority or any organizer.