Back for its 34th edition, this year's Citadel Festival transforms the historic Salah El Din Citadel into one of Cairo's most spectacular concert venues, hosting more than 20 live performances.
Every August, the Citadel Festival turns the Salah El Din Citadel into one of Cairo's busiest live music venues, bringing together some of the region's biggest artists for 10 nights of concerts inside the historic fortress.
Now in its 34th edition, the festival returns from August 15th to 24th, organised by the Cairo Opera House under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. This year's programme features 23 performances at the Mahka Theatre, with everything from Arabic pop and rock to orchestral music, Sufi chanting and nostalgic Spacetoon favourites.
With tickets costing EGP 100, here's the full lineup...
Egyptian Harp Ensemble & Reham Abdel Hakim
📅 Sat August 15th
⏱️ 8PM
The festival kicks off with a live musical performance by acclaimed singer Reham Abdel Hakim and the Egyptian Harp Ensemble.
Samar Tarik & Aziz Maraka
📅 Sun August 16th
⏱️ 8PM
Known for hits like 'Mafi Mennik', 'Miganinani', 'Ya Bay' and more, Jordanian singer Aziz Maraka will take to the stage on the festival's second day alongside local vocalist Samar Tarik.
Nesma Mahgoub & Wust El Balad
📅 Mon August 17th
⏱️ 8PM
Renowned rock band Wust El Balad, alongside Nesma Mahgoub, join the festival’s third day for a genre-blending evening of music.
Talents Development Center, Ya Nuba Band & Yassin El Tohamy
📅 Tue August 18th
⏱️ 8PM
Day four of the Citadel Festival brings together three very different performances: Ya Nuba's blend of traditional and modern Nubian music, Sufi chants by Sheikh Yassin El Tohamy, and a special performance by an ensemble made up of talented artists with special needs.
Hisham Abbas, Sherif Mounir (Nostalgia Band) & Palestine Ensemble
📅 Wed August 19th
⏱️ 8PM
Well-known actor Sherif Mounir delivers a special performance with his nostalgia band, Hisham Abbas brings his biggest '90s hits to the stage, and the Palestine Ensemble rounds out the lineup with a live performance.
Saad Eloud Ensemble, Fouad & Mounib
📅 Thu August 20th
⏱️ 8PM
This evening is all about instrumentals, with Fouad & Mounib presenting a classical piano-and-violin performance, followed by Eloud showcasing the rich sounds of the oud.
Tarek Tourgane & His Family, Fathy Salama & Mahmoud Al Tohamy
📅 Fri August 21st
⏱️ 8PM
This one's for your inner kid: Tourgane takes to the stage with his family to perform your favourite Spacetoon hits. The same evening also features live performances by Grammy Award-winning musician Fathy Salama and Sheikh Mahmoud El-Tohamy.
Cairo Symphony Orchestra & Ayamna El Helwa Ensemble
📅 Sat August 22nd
⏱️ 8PM
Expect an evening of classical and contemporary soundtracks performed by the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, joined by Ayamna El Helwa Ensemble.
Ali El Haggar, Oun Choral & Bollywood Band
📅 Sun August 23rd
⏱️ 8PM
Contemporary Arabic classics meet choral harmonies and Bollywood-inspired sounds at this evening's lineup, featuring Ali El Haggar, the Oun Choral, and the Bollywood Band.
Nesma Abdel Aziz, Medhat Saleh & Amr Selim
📅 Mon August 24th
⏱️ 8PM
The festival’s last day will see Nesma Abdel Aziz, Medhat Saleh, and Amr Selim join forces for a heartfelt musical evening fitting for a closing night.
