Carmen - theatre play
Every day except Tuesdays, 8.30pm
Al-Taliaa Theatre (behind National Theatre), Attaba Square, Cairo (Zaki Tolimat Hall)
Directed by Nasser Abdel Moneim, the play premiered in April 2025 and continues to attract large audiences to the El-Taliaa (Avant-gard) Theater.
The play is based on the famed novel by French writer Prosper Mérimée, adapted for stage by Mohamed Ali Ibrahim, and stars Reem Ahmed, Mido Abdelkader, Nihal Fahmy, Mohamed Hassib, Lydia Suleiman, Abdelrahman El-Gamil, Ahmed Alaa, Mohamed El-Aragawy, and Mohamed El-Badaly.
Carmen is the story of a free-spirited Gypsy dancer who seduces a soldier, Don José, leading him to abandon his duty, fall into obsession, and spiral into a life of crime. When Carmen grows tired of him and falls for a charismatic bullfighter, Don José, consumed by jealousy, confronts her. In the end, he murders Carmen, unable to accept her rejection and independence.
Calum Scott - music
Thursday 8 January, 9pm
Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza
Scott, who shot to international fame after his acclaimed appearance on Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) in 2015 and whose soaring ballads, such as You Are the Reason and Dancing On My Own, have garnered billions of streams worldwide.
After his BGT success, he released multiple albums, including Only Human (2018) and Bridges (2022). In October 2025, Scott released his third studio album, Avenoir.
Following his performance in Cairo, Scott will promote his newest album with tours across South Africa, India, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, before performing across North America (Canada, USA) until late May 2026. He will then return to Europe with a series of concerts continuing until June.
Read more here
Um Kalthoum musical
Thursday 8 and Friday 9 January, 8.30pm
Theatre of Movenpick, 6th of October City
The musical is produced by El Adl Group Studios in the company’s debut production of a large-scale musical about Star of the East.
The show traces key moments in Um Kalthoum’s life — from her early days in a small village in Egypt’s Daqahliya to her rise in Cairo and transformation into one of the most celebrated voices in Egypt, the Arab World, and beyond.
The plot and lyrics are written by Medhat El Adl and the musical is directed by Ahmed Fouad.
Besides known songs staged by Um Kalthoum, the performance also features music by Khaled El Kammar and Ehab Abdel Wahed.
Tablet El-Sitt - music
Friday 9 January, 7pm
Al Anfoushy Theater, 1 Raas Al-Teen Street, Bahri, Alexandria
Founded by Soha Mohamed in 2019, the all-female group is bringing Egypt’s musical heritage back.
Since its formation, the troupe has gained huge recognition, performing in numerous venues across Egypt.
Ali El-Helbawy - music
Friday 9 January, 8pm
Wisdom Hall, El-Sawy Culturewheel, 26th of July street, Zamalek, Cairo
Egyptian singer and Islamic sufi chanter, Ali El-Helbawy’s repertoire includes songs about love, faith, those carrying patriotic themes, in addition to some traditional covers.
El-Helbawy performs frequently across Cairo venues, and often collaborates with many other performers. He has been featured in a number of compositions created by Egyptian-German ensemble Cairo Steps.
Blumen Ensemble - music
Friday 9 January, 8pm
Cairo Opera House, small hall, Zamalek, Cairo
The Blumen ensemble consists of Doaa Saber (flute), Medhat Abdel Salam (violin), Suzan Saber (viola), and Mohamed Ahmed (cello).
The ensemble performs frequently featuring mostly music from the Western classical repertoire, as well as specials for particular occasions such as Christmas or New Year.
Tamer Ashour - music
Friday 9 January, 10pm
Hilton Cairo Grand Nile, Corneish El Nil, Cairo
Singer and composer Tamer Ashour came into the spotlight in the mid-2000s.
Ever since, he has released 7 albums establishing himself as one of the most popular performers in Egypt and the Arab world. His breakthrough as a singer came with the release of his debut single Zekrayat Kedaba (Lying Memories) in 2006.
The song's success led Ashour to work on his first album Saab (Difficult), released in 2007. This was followed with consecutive albums: Had Byheb (2008), Laya Nazra (2011), Esht Maak (2014), Khayali (2017), Ayam (2019), Tegy Netrahen (2022), etc.
16th Arab Theatre Festival
10 to 16 January across several theatres in Cairo
The festival is organized by the Arab Theatre Authority in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Culture, and brings together a diverse selection of contemporary Arab stage works — from classic reinterpretations to bold new creations — drawn from over 150 submissions across the Arab world.
For seven days, audiences and professionals alike will enjoy a rich programme of competitive and non-competitive performances, intellectual seminars, and workshops.
Ancient Contemporaneity - exhibition
Bayt al-Sinnari, Khairat Str, Al- Sayeda Zeinab
Opening Sunday 11 January, 6pm
The exhibition continues until 22 January
Curated by artists Lina Osama and Mhanny Yaoud, the exhibition brings together the works of twenty international artists whose practices build bridges between cultural heritage and contemporary life.
The exhibition features a retrospective of the late Austrian artist Herwig, honoring his artistic legacy, and also presents works by Austria-based artists Tanja Raschied and Faek Rasoul.
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