Cairo's Arts & Culture Calendar for an 'Alt Ramadan' in 2026

After iftar, Cairo shifts into its nocturnal rhythm. Studios reopen, courtyards fill with music, and workshops start just as the city slows elsewhere. Ramadan may change the schedule, but it does not pause the cultural calendar. If you’re looking to do more than the usual rounds this month, there are plenty of alternatives across the city — from craft workshops and filmmaker talks to courtyard concerts, walking tours and community tournaments. Whether you prefer something hands-on, reflective or social, the post-iftar hours offer space to try something different and see Cairo from another angle.

Craft Workshops & Gatherings at Darb 15

Location: Darb 15 ‘Beit Arafa’: Street 15 off 87, building 11, Maadi

Darb 15 has adjusted its regular workshop schedule to fit the month’s nocturnal lifestyle. Every week, a range of arts and crafts workshops from ‘Leather Notebook Making’ to ‘Fanous Painting’ will be offered after Iftar, usually beginning at 8 PM. Alongside their workshops, a ‘Ramadan Trivia Tournament’ will be held over the course of three weeks, starting on February 27th, where the ultimate champion of the three rounds will take home a grand prize.

How to join: Workshop spaces are limited. To reserve your space, message @d.a.r.b.15 on Instagram or WhatsApp 01001475427.

Nuits du Ramadan at the Institut Français

Location: Mounira Campus, 1 Madrasset El Huquq El Frinseya Road, El Mounira

Institut Français and Underground Social have partnered up to present their ‘Nuits du Ramadan’ series hosted at the Institut Français. Each week, an intimate courtyard concert will take place featuring local musicians and artists, including WALAD and Huda Asfour. After Iftar, come to the institute’s central Mounira campus to sit on the floor, close your eyes, and drift into the music.

Dates and times for the concerts can be found on the Institut Français’ Instagram.

How to join: No prior booking is required; simply show up!

Art Workshops and Gatherings at Samak Laban 

Location: 165 Mohammed Farid, Al Fawalah, Abdeen

Downtown’s newest hangout spot, Samak Laban, will be offering a series of art workshops and creative gatherings that will take place in the shop’s cosy basement. The workshops will begin at 8 PM, and include tapestry workshops with Heba El Gales, a four-day painting course with Aya Mustafa, and writing workshops with Fatima El Zahra. 

Their full Ramadan schedule can be found on their Instagram, including registration information.

How to join: Register for workshops online beforehand on Samak Laban’s Instagram.

Ramadan Music Nights by ADEF

Location: ADEF Headquarters, 7 Street 23, Al Abageyah, Mokattam

For those seeking a late night of music, rhythm, and tradition, the Arab Digital Expression Foundation (ADEF) is hosting a series of Ramadan Music Nights every Thursday and Friday throughout the Holy Month. Each night will tell a story of Egyptian heritage and tradition through music, spotlighting performers who specialise in Egyptian Zar, Nubian singing, Mawlawiya, Sufi chanting, and more. 

A complete schedule can be found on ADEF’s Instagram. How to join: Seats for the events are limited.

To register, contact 01034958043 or sign up using the links provided on the group’s Instagram.

Photography Workshops by Photopia 

Location: 22 Cleopatra, El-Montaza, Heliopolis

Photopia will be offering a series of photography workshops across the city this month. Through tours of historic areas or specialised talks, each workshop will provide useful technical skills and information to kickstart your photography career.

The specific dates and times of each workshop can be found on Photopia’s Instagram.

How to join: Workshops are paid for, and can be registered for using this links provided on the group’s Instagram. Locations may vary.

Post Iftar Talks at Zawya by Saad the Studio 

Location: Zawya Cinema, 15 Emad El-Deen, Oraby, Al Azbakeya, Downtown Cairo

Saad the Studio will be offering a range of post-Iftar talks this Ramadan at Downtown’s Zawya Cinema. The talks, held each week, will be a creative gathering of people interested in conversations surrounding the creative scene in Egypt. These panels will be held under the theme ‘Meet the Experts’, and will feature a diverse range of Egyptian artists, including photographer Ali Zaraay and researcher Dima Tannir. Talks will run between 8 PM and 9:30 PM.

A full schedule can be found on Saad the Studio’s Instagram.

How to join: Bookings can be made at Zawya’s box office on the day, or online using links provided on Saad the Studio’s Instagram.

 ‘In Retrospect’ Gatherings by Cimatheque

Location: 19A Adly Street, 5th Floor, Apt. 28, Downtown

Every Monday of Ramadan, Cimatheque is hosting a series under the theme ‘In Retrospect’. For Cairo’s budding filmmakers, each week, a new Egyptian filmmaker will open up their archive, uncovering drafts and delving into their process. This year’s guest list will spotlight Filmmakers Youhanna Nagy, Tariq Abdalla, Ahmed Kayal, Hassan Nouby, Mahmoud Lotfy, and Bassam Mortada. 

Talks will take place every Monday from 8 PM to 11 PM. Specific dates can be found at Cimatheque’s Instagram.

How to join: No prior registration is required; however, arrive early as doors will close at full capacity.

Iftours by Qahrawya

Location: Locations will vary and will be shared upon booking.

This Ramadan, Qahrawya is offering a special series of night walking tours around the city. “Iftours” is exactly what it sounds like: a chance to tour the historic neighbourhoods of Cairo on foot, while sharing a home-cooked Iftar with a group of new, like-minded people. Throughout the month, you can explore places like the City of the Dead, Zamalek, and El-Khalifa, and see how they come to life during the energised nights of Ramadan. 

A full schedule with times, locations, and dates can be found on Qahrawya’s Instagram.

How to join: Sign up and pay for a walking tour using a link provided on the group’s Instagram.