Abu Simbel Sun Festival (February)

This event has ended. The next edition is Abu Simbel Sun Festival (February 2027), 22 Feb 2027 (expected).

Twice a year, on 22 February and 22 October, the rising sun shines straight through the entrance of the Great Temple at Abu Simbel and travels some 60 metres into the sanctuary, lighting up the seated statues of Ramesses II, Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty while Ptah, god of the underworld, stays in shadow. On 22 February 2026 the light reached the sanctuary for roughly 20 minutes shortly after 6 am. The event draws thousands of visitors, with folk dance troupes and music outside the temple the night before. Arrive by about 4 am to queue, as entry to the sanctuary is limited and moves quickly. Most visitors travel from Aswan by early-morning road convoy or fly to Abu Simbel; staying overnight in the village makes the dawn start much easier.

About the temple

The Great Temple of Abu Simbel was carved into a sandstone cliff on the west bank of the Nile in the reign of Ramesses II, and its facade is dominated by four colossal seated statues of the king. In the 1960s, as Lake Nasser rose behind the new Aswan High Dam, the temple and its smaller neighbour, dedicated to Hathor and Queen Nefertari, were cut into blocks and rebuilt on higher ground in an international rescue campaign led by UNESCO. Today they form part of the Nubian Monuments World Heritage Site.

Getting there

Abu Simbel lies close to the Sudanese border, around 280 kilometres by road south of Aswan. The road crosses open desert with little along the way, so set off well supplied with water. Many tour operators in Aswan arrange round trips for the festival, timed to arrive before dawn.

Planning tips

• February nights in the desert are cold, so bring a warm layer for the pre-dawn wait.
• Carry water, a snack and a torch or phone light for the walk in the dark.
• Follow the instructions of site staff on photography inside the temple.
• After the alignment, visit the smaller Temple of Hathor and Nefertari next door, which is much quieter once the crowds leave.
• The second alignment of the year takes place on about 22 October; see our page on the October sun festival.