The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Hello, Cairo!

This weekend is shaping up to a a busy one, with an almost peculiar amount of parties, festivals and events taking place.

One of the biggest music events this weekend is set to take place on Thursday, as Downtown’s Zigzag teams up with Space Sharm for a special night that will see acclaimed British producer, Third Son, perform for the very first time in Egypt, with Cairo’s Misty joining him on the line-up. There’s more electronic music from the UK to be found across the city, with Mohandiseen bar, Underground, hosting a showcase for British label, Galmour Punk. The night will see the man at the helm of the label, Moussa Clarke, headline, with Hady Tarek and Minus T also performing, while Tamer Auf kicks off a busy weekend for himself at Maadi bar, the Tap.

Over at the Temple along the Giza Corniche, meanwhile, ALIVE welcomes Crystal Dubai resident, DJ Yuri Omneari, and Cairo's own DJ AK. In the realm of live music, the legendary Yehya Khalil performs at Cairo Opera House, while the Riff band celebrates their thirteenth anniversary with a special gig at Cairo Jazz Club.

Away from music altogether, contemporary dancer and choreographer, Nicole Roerick, kicks of a two-day run of performance at Darb 1718, while HACK4EGYPT takes place at the Greek Campus in Downtown and the 7th Cairo Video Festival kicks off.

On Friday, Galleria40 hosts its last day of its Winter Festival with Yehya Khalil performing his second gig in as many days at an event that will also see Michelle Rounds perform, with Style Treasure holding another fashion bazaar. Meanwhile, Westown Hub is holding its own Winter Festival, with a special Christmas market and a Santa’s grotto awaiting, while Zamalek Association holds their latest event at the Aquarium Grotto Garden; Dancing in the Park boasting food, drink and, of course, live music.

Elsewhere, Nacelle’s daytime music fest, Funk N Pop, is holding up strong against the increasingly cold weather, while the Tahrir Book Fair begins a three-day run at AUC Bookstore Tahrir. Later in the evening, veteran British DJ, Dave Seaman, headlines Cairo Jazz Club’s Beats Landing, with Gawdat on opening duties.

Saturday is pretty flat, save for this year's edition of the RisUp Summit, which is bigger and better than ever, while over at Fairmont Nile City, Ahmed Harfoush provides the entertainment at another Saturday Jazz Brunch Party at Saigon Restaurant & Lounge and Darb 1718 hosts another edition of open-mic event, Mashrou3 Al Mareekh.

Elsewhere, Cairo Jazz Club ends its weekend with live music courtesy of Ahmed Omar and Autostrad, while the Tap does likewise with the help of Minus One.

There’s plenty for the city’s art appreciators to sink their teeth into, too, with Gypsum Gallery hosting group exhibition, A Season in Hell, and Something Else continuing at Darb 1718, alongside many other exhibitions, including Hossam Dirar's latest collection, Invitation Au Voyage, showing at Zamalek gallery, ArtTalks.

This is just a snapshot of the events in Cairo this weekend – check out the Cairo 360 events calendar for more.