34th Arab Music Festival and Conference

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

Organised by the Cairo Opera House since 1992, the Arab Music Festival and Conference is the leading celebration of classical and contemporary Arabic song. The 34th edition, dedicated to the memory of singer Hany Shaker, ran over 11 nights from 20 to 30 October 2026 at the Opera House in Zamalek, with parallel concerts at the Sayed Darwish Theatre in Alexandria and the Damanhour Opera House. The line-up mixes leading Egyptian and Arab vocalists, such as Amal Maher, whose concert sold out, with traditional takht ensembles, while a scholarly conference discusses Arabic music heritage. Tickets are sold at the Opera House box office and online and popular nights sell out early. The Opera House requires smart dress in the Main Hall, including a jacket for men.

Official website

What to expect

Each evening’s concert usually brings together several singers backed by the Opera House’s Arab music ensembles, performing classic songs by composers such as Mohamed Abdel Wahab and Riad El Sunbati alongside newer repertoire. Audiences are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and it is common for people to sing along to well-known songs.

The conference sessions, held during the day, bring together musicologists, composers and performers, and are mainly in Arabic.

Getting there

The Cairo Opera House grounds are on Gezira Island in Zamalek, right next to Opera metro station on Line 2. Taxis and ride-hailing cars can drop you at the gates. Allow time for security checks at the entrance. In Alexandria, the Sayed Darwish Theatre is in the city centre, close to the Corniche, and Damanhour is a short train ride from Alexandria.

Planning tips

• Late October evenings in Cairo are usually warm and pleasant.
• Concerts can run late, so plan your journey back in advance.
• Concerts in Alexandria and Damanhour have their own programme, so check which venue your chosen night is at.