Egypt Declares Nov 1 as Paid Holiday for the Opening of Grand Egyptian Museum

Egypt has officially declared Saturday, 1 November 2025, a fully paid public holiday to commemorate the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near the Giza Pyramids.

The announcement came from the government, under the leadership of Mostafa Madbouly as Prime Minister, and the Cabinet, with the directive extended to both public- and private‐sector employees. For the private sector, Minister Mohamed Gubran confirmed that the day will be paid leave; should businesses require staff to work, those employees will be eligible for double pay or an alternative day off in lieu. 

This move underscores the significance the Egyptian state places on the GEM’s opening—not simply as a museum launch, but as a national cultural landmark and a major tourism landmark. The GEM is positioned to become one of the largest museums dedicated to a single civilisation, expected to play a key role in Egypt’s efforts to revive and expand its tourism sector. 

By making the inauguration date a national holiday, the government aims to allow citizens to partake in the celebration and witness the event’s opening spectacles, while also facilitating logistics around the influx of international guests, media, and dignitaries. Some provinces are planning screens in public squares to broadcast the proceedings live. 

From an economic perspective, the holiday signals a readiness to shift Egypt’s narrative: leveraging its ancient heritage as a driver of modern growth. The GEM’s opening is expected to enhance Egypt’s appeal as a cultural-tourism destination, drawing higher-spending visitors and extending stays. The paid holiday also creates a symbolic pause—a moment that elevates the event beyond business as usual.

For residents and travellers, November 1 will stand out not only as the museum’s inauguration date but as a shared national moment. Visitors to Cairo and the Giza area around that date should expect larger crowds around the museum and the Pyramids complex, enhanced security and public-event features, and potentially heightened traffic in and around Giza. Media coverage will be substantial.

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