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

This weekend will, of course, be dominated by the inevitable chaos that is New Year’s Eve. Bars, clubs restaurant and other venues across Cairo are preparing for the biggest night of the year, but we’ll get to that later. Before Saturday, there’s plenty to see and do across the capital.

Noha Fekry and Ahmed Harfoush of The Riff Band

Thursday is all about music, with Cairo Jazz Club kicking off its weekend with a performance from jazz group, The Riff Band, led by Ahmed Harfoush and Noha Fekry.

Elsewhere, versatile DJ, Sebzz, takes to the stage at Zigzag, with Hassan Abou Alam on opening duties. The Tap Maadi, meanwhile, welcomes Ramy DJunkie, while sister venue, The Tap East, hosts a returning Armen V.

Away from nightlife, the Cairo Opera Orchestra perform a chamber music concert at Cairo Opera House, while the Arab Music Heritage Ensemble champion classic Arab music at t El Gomhouria Theatre. In Zamalek, meanwhile, Magnolia hosts Malameh for a night of mime.

Rehearsals for The Nutcracker at Cairo Opera House (Cairo Opera House Facebook/Zafar Azimov)

Cairo Opera House’s festive production of The Nutcracker, meanwhile, is still on till Friday.

More music awaits on Friday, with local band, Wyvern, taking to the stage at The Tap Maadi for a night dedicated to Metallica, while The Tap East welcomes Hurghada-based DJ, Teddy Adel.

Elsewhere, Cairo Jazz Club has a stacked line-up for Friday Fever, with FairouzT, Ayman Nageeb and Junior taking to the stage, while DJs Slim and Minimolo, perform at Zigzag.

Elsewhere, Egypt’s biggest band, Cairokee, perform two back-to-back gigs at El Sawy Culturewheel.

Then we get to Saturday – New Year’s Eve. There are two schools of thought this year – parties and dinners – and there are plenty of both.

Cairo Jazz Club has Ramy DJunkie for Taxi Ras El Sana, Zigzag hosts Aly B and Ouzo and Riverside has plenty of entertainment at Black & Bling. Elsewhere, The Tap Maadi takes over a villa for a special NYE party, while The Tap East sees in the New Year with The Shakedown – a night of hip-hop and r&b.

Other top parties include Masquerade Mystery at Four Seasons Nile Plaza’s and HIDE, which is taking place at Radisson Blu Hotel.

If you’re looking for something a little more on the sophisticated side of things, the city’s hotels have your answer. Fairmont Nile City’s Black & Gold Affair isn’t a bad option, while Floor 10 and Jazz Bar at Kempinski Nile Hotel are bringing together food, drink and entertainment, as do the hotel’s Osmanly and The Blue Restaurant.

The Marriott in Zamalek hs plenty of offers across its restaurants, too, and you can check out Cairo 360’s NYE Hot List for Events & Parties for more details of all these events and much more.

Happy New Year, see y’all in 2017!