34th Citadel International Festival for Music and Singing

This event has ended. Dates for the next edition will be added here once they are announced.

Every August the Cairo Opera House takes music up to the medieval Citadel of Saladin for one of the city’s best-loved summer festivals. The 34th edition ran nightly from 15 to 24 August 2026 at the open-air Mahka Theatre, with a line-up mixing classic Egyptian stars, contemporary bands and Sufi chanters, including Medhat Saleh, Ali El-Haggar, Hisham Abbas, Wust El-Balad, Aziz Maraka and Nesma Mahgoub. Some single nights drew around 9,000 spectators. Tickets are famously cheap, sold at the Citadel gate and Opera House box offices, and the atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with the illuminated mosques of the Citadel as a backdrop. Concerts start after sunset; arrive early for good seats and bring a light layer for the evening breeze.

Official website

About the venue

The Citadel was founded by Salah El-Din in the late twelfth century on a spur of the Muqattam Hills, and for centuries it was the seat of Egypt’s rulers. Its skyline is dominated by the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, with its slender minarets, which makes a striking backdrop to the stage at night.

What to expect

Each night usually features one or two headline acts. The audience is a mix of young people, families and long-standing fans who come to hear classic songs, and many sing along and dance. The open-air setting keeps the mood relaxed.

Getting there

The Citadel stands on high ground above Islamic Cairo. There is no metro station close by, so most people arrive by taxi or ride-hailing app. Traffic around the Citadel can be heavy before concerts, so allow extra time.

Planning tips

• August in Cairo is hot, but evenings up at the Citadel are more comfortable.
• Bring water, and wear comfortable shoes for the walk from the gate to the theatre.
• Plan your journey home in advance, as concerts often finish late.