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

Here we go again – another fleeting weekend awaits and plenty of events with it. So many, in fact, that it’s times like these that we need to sit down and have a serious public discussion about the idea of extending weekends to three days. Until then, check out the weekend’s top parties, gigs, exhibitions and festivals.

One of the biggest events over the weekend is actually set to take place at several Cairo venues – the Panorama of the European Film returned bigger and better than ever this week, with screenings of some Europe’s top contemporary films set to be screened at Zawya, Cinema Karim, Point 90 Cinema and more.

Music-wise, there’s plenty to get stuck into on Thursday, with the Festival & Conference of Arab Music well underway at Cairo Opera House. Cairo Jazz Club kicking off its weekend, meanwhile, with Alexandria natives, Massar Egbari, while music of the electronic kind is thick and fast, start at Downtown’s Zigzag set to welcome Ouzo and Hassan Abou Alam, while SHIHA makes a rare appearance on the gig circuit at the Tap. The Maadi bar’s sister venue, the Tap East meanwhile has recruited DJ Armen V for another edition of Dance Grooves.

Elsewhere, Zamalek’s Gu Bar sets two back-to-back nights of WKND with Disco Misr, while Cairo Shakers return for a night of freestyle DJing at Garden City’s Rooftop Lounge.

At the other end of the musical scale, meanwhile, El Tanbura bring the music of Port Said and Suez to El Dammah Theatre, while Nubian Night at Al Rab3 sees Light Music Band perform.

Another edition of Nacelle’s Funk N Pop beckons on Friday, meanwhile, while some of the city’s top DJs come out to play later on in the evening, including femme fatales, kidmims; and Akladios, who are in charge of the music at the Tap East, while the Tap Maadi hosts live music courtesy of local blues and funk cover band, Vybe.

Over at Cairo Jazz Club, DJ SHawky, makes a long-awaited return alongside DeeRailed for this week’s Friday Fever, while Fayek is taking on a monster six-hour set at Zigzag.

Elsewhere, stand-up comedy is on the menu at El Sawy Culturewheel with Night Comedy 102, while Hany Must-led Beatles cover band, Glass Onion, perform at Cairo Opera House.

Away from music altogether, film buffs might want to check out the screening of Charlie Chaplin's The Kid at Osiris, with the silent movie’s music set to be performed live. Falaki Theatre, meanwhile, has recently announced a busy upcoming schedule, which begins with a performance of original production, Ma'at Ra'.

Things are a little quieter on Saturday, but some of the highlight events include Asia Maadani and Ahmed ‘AfriCairo’ Omar winding down the weekend with what’s shaping up to be an eclectic night of live music, while the Tap East ends its weekend with hip-hop and r&b courtesy of DJ Samba, with Ramsi Lehner and Sherif Nakhla going old school with a night of 90s house at the Tap Maadi.

Elsewhere, local reggae band, Meshwar, takes to the stage at El Genaina Theatre, while Yoga 3al Oud blend traditional Yoga teachings with the magical sound of the classic, Arabian Oud, at YogaKhan. In addition, there’s family fun to be had across the weekend at Cairo Festival City Mall where the Wonderville Bazaar is setting up shop till Saturday.

These are of course just a few of the events in Egypt’s capital – check out the Cairo 360 events calendar for more parties, gigs and events, as well as this week’s new exhibitions.