Abu Simbel Sun Festival — October 2026

Twice a year (22 Feb & 22 Oct), dawn sunlight illuminates the inner sanctuary of Ramesses II's temple, falling on three of the four seated statues. October 2026 edition.

On 22 October 2026, just after sunrise (best viewing 05:30–06:30), sunlight penetrates the 65-metre corridor of the Great Temple of Abu Simbel and illuminates three of the four colossal statues: Ramesses II, Amun-Ra, and Ra-Horakhty. The fourth statue, Ptah, remains in darkness. The phenomenon occurs twice per year (22 February and 22 October), corresponding to dates in the ancient Egyptian calendar likely marking the coronation and birthday of Ramesses II. The temples were relocated in the 1960s by UNESCO during the construction of the Aswan High Dam, shifting the alignment by one day. Sources: egypttoursportal.com; UNESCO World Heritage nomination file.