When winter wraps much of the world in white coats and grey skies, El Gouna continues to glow with sunshine, celebration, and unmistakable festive charm. With mild days, cool evenings, and a calendar packed with music, dining, and cultural moments, this unique Red Sea town once again stands out as one of the best places to spend Christmas and welcome the New Year.
From refined beachfront hotels and award-winning restaurants to high-energy parties and soulful live performances, Christmas and New Year’s Eve in El Gouna feel effortlessly joyful — a perfect balance between laid-back holiday living and unforgettable celebration.
Where to Stay for Christmas in El Gouna
December is the ideal time to experience El Gouna’s hospitality at its finest. The weather in Egypt at Christmas is comfortably warm, making it perfect for outdoor dining, beach days, and evening celebrations. Whether you’re planning Christmas family holidays, a couple’s escape, or a social getaway, these properties are among the best hotels for Christmas in El Gouna.Casa Cook El Gouna
A stylish adults-only hideaway with bohemian design, calm poolside energy, and curated dining experiences. Casa Cook is ideal for travellers seeking a relaxed festive atmosphere with effortless style and music-led evenings.The Chedi El Gouna
A tranquil seaside retreat defined by refined architecture, attentive service, and uninterrupted Red Sea views. The Chedi offers a serene celebratory approach to the festive season, blending tradition with modern elegance.Ancient Sands Golf Resort
Set high above the town, Ancient Sands features spacious suites and residences overlooking golf fairways and lagoons. It’s a perfect choice for longer festive stays, multigenerational travel, and guests who appreciate space and privacy.Steigenberger Golf Resort El Gouna
Surrounded by lush gardens and waterways, this lagoon-side resort combines comfort, generous rooms, and golf course views. Steigenberger is well-suited for families, couples, and friends spending Christmas together.Cook’s Club El Gouna
A contemporary lifestyle hotel known for DJ-led pool vibes, social dining, and a relaxed yet energetic crowd. Cook’s Club is a favourite for guests looking for an adults-friendly, music-driven December escape.Together, these properties position El Gouna as one of the best Christmas resorts in Egypt and a natural answer for those still wondering where to stay for Christmas.
Festive Programs & Christmas Hotel Highlights | Festive Season 2025/2026
The Chedi El Gouna – Festive Elegance by the Sea
The festive season at The Chedi El Gouna blends family-friendly traditions with refined celebrations.Christmas Eve unfolds with children’s activities, cookie decorating, festive games, and Santa’s memorable arrival by camel, followed by a warm Glühwein reception and an abundant Christmas buffet dinner accompanied by live carols. Christmas Day continues with an extended brunch — a relaxed way to celebrate the season with loved ones.
New Year’s Eve is marked by an elegant cocktail reception at NIHON, followed by a gala dinner hosted at The Restaurant with live singer entertainment throughout the evening. After dinner, celebrations return to NIHON, where guests enjoy a DJ set, a belly dancer performance after midnight, and a festive Tombola raffle. The celebrations extend into New Year’s Day with a late breakfast and celebratory brunch.
Casa Cook El Gouna – A Curated Festive Escape
Casa Cook celebrates the season with a thoughtfully curated Christmas menu and a New Year’s Eve gala dinner followed by brunch. The experience reflects the hotel’s signature adults-only concept — intimate, stylish, and effortlessly festive, without excess.
Restaurant Highlights of the Month
December marks a major moment for El Gouna’s culinary scene. This season, three OHM restaurants ranked first, second, and third out of 105 restaurants in El Gouna on Tripadvisor, with one achieving top 1% worldwide recognition.Tandoor – Ali Pasha Hotel
A soulful Indian kitchen led by Head Chef Vijay Singh, set within powder-pink arches, brass lighting, and an outdoor bamboo gazebo. Tripadvisor: Best of the Best Worldwide & #1 in El GounaNIHON – The Chedi El Gouna
A rooftop Japanese restaurant with panoramic sea views, a live kitchen, central bar, expert mixologists, and a resident wine guru. Tripadvisor: #2 Restaurant in El GounaHarumaki – Steigenberger Golf Resort
A refined dining destination showcasing sushi and theatrical teppanyaki in an elegant setting defined by natural materials and neutral tones. Tripadvisor: #3 Restaurant in El GounaIf you are looking for exceptional dining, El Gouna is surely one of the best places to celebrate Christmas.
New Year’s Eve in El Gouna: What’s Happening
As the year draws to a close, El Gouna transforms into one of the region’s most exciting destinations for New Year’s Eve celebrations. From stylish hotel parties to headline performances at Cubix, the town offers something for every festive mood.
Cook’s Club El Gouna: New Year’s Eve at Captain Bar Pool
Cook’s Club hosts a New Year’s party like no other at Captain Bar Pool, running from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM. The night is built around pure energy and good vibes, led by an electrifying set from DJUNKIE, delivering non-stop beats to keep the celebration alive.Adding to the spectacle, Marise brings a captivating belly-dance performance, blending rhythm and movement into the night’s soundtrack. The evening features a curated cocktail menu — from Hugo spritzes to signature Cook’s creations — and culminates in a midnight champagne toast with locally sourced sparkling wine, welcoming 2026 in true Cook’s Club style.
The Chedi El Gouna: New Year’s Gala Dining
For guests seeking a refined culinary celebration, The Chedi El Gouna’s New Year’s Gala Dinner is a highlight of the season.The evening unfolds with a yellowfin tuna amuse bouche paired with bright mango chutney, citrusy lime gel, and light champagne foam, followed by warm house-made sourdough with chef butter. The starters feature aged beef complemented by umami-rich miso chips, mustard, and caviar, then duck tortellini served with aromatic mustard seeds, Parmesan foam, and duck jus. The main course showcases a luxurious Wagyu tenderloin alongside forest mushrooms, carrot purée, cauliflower brown-butter mash, creamy egg yolk, and demi-glace, before concluding with a smooth chocolate mousse finished with almond crumbs and mixed berry gel.
Casa Cook: New Year Bands and Bonfires
Casa Cook unites the Greek-inspired spirit of parea—togetherness and shared joy—with music, dining, and celebration. Guests at Casa Cook began the evening with cocktails and live music before enjoying a curated degustation dinner featuring refined dishes such as smoked eel, shrimp bisque or roasted pumpkin, stuffed calamari, Wagyu beef, lobster royale, and elegant desserts. The night built up with an electrifying jazz performance, followed by a soulful live band countdown to midnight. The celebrations continued into New Year’s Day with a relaxed beach club brunch, DJ sets, and a lively happy hour, keeping the festive energy flowing into 2024.Cubix El Gouna – The Ultimate New Year’s Party Series
For large-scale energy and world-class music, Cubix El Gouna remains the epicenter of the festive season, hosting three headline nights in a row.
31 December – New Year’s Eve | Saint Levant & Notre Dame
Ring in the New Year with Saint Levant & Notre Dame, bringing together expressive lyricism, global rhythms, and melodic electronic sounds. Saint Levant’s genre-blending style meets Notre Dame’s refined house sensibility, creating a celebration that feels both powerful and emotional — a standout moment of New Year’s Eve El Gouna.
1 January – Mahmut Orhan & Rivo
Kick off 2026 with Mahmut Orhan & Rivo, delivering deep, melodic house infused with Afro and electronic textures. Known for cinematic sets and immersive journeys, this night sets the tone for the year ahead — soulful, energetic, and unforgettable.
2 January – Argy at Cubix
Closing the New Year series, Argy brings deep house and melodic techno to Cubix for an atmospheric finale. Known for immersive soundscapes and emotionally charged performances, this night is perfect for those who love music-driven experiences that go beyond the ordinary party.Together, these events in Gouna make the city one of the most exciting destinations for New Year parties in Gouna, and post-holiday celebrations.
