New Year's Eve in Hurghada & El Gouna

Galas, countdowns and beach parties

When venues on YallaTonight publish their New Year's Eve nights, such as resort galas, club countdowns and beach parties, they appear here, each with its own page. Below is a guide to how the night usually goes in Hurghada, El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh: where to spend it, what to wear and how to get home safely.

New Year's Day by the sea

Many people spend the first day of the year slowly: a late breakfast, a walk by the sea, then an afternoon on the beach or by the pool. Days are usually mild and sunny, which makes it an easy day to rest after a long night. Some beach clubs and resort bars are open that day with a more laid-back feel, but hours vary from place to place, so check with the venue before you go.

How booking works

Booking opens soon. Once it does, it will work like this: pick a night, choose your tickets or table and pay online by card. The link to your ticket is emailed to you, and on the night you show the entry code on your phone at the door. Until then, the nights shown here are samples.

New Year's Eve at a glance

New Year's Eve is one of the liveliest nights of the year on the Red Sea coast. In Hurghada, El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh it usually takes one of three shapes: a gala dinner at a resort, with a show and music; a special night at a club; or a party by the beach or the marina. Many people combine them, starting with dinner and moving on later. Wherever you are, the night builds toward the countdown at midnight, and the party often carries on into the early hours. This guide covers where to spend it, what to expect, what to wear and how to get home safely.

Where to spend it: resort or town

The first choice is whether to stay in your resort or head out. Many resorts run their own celebration, which keeps the night simple: no taxi, and your room a short walk away. In Hurghada town, the crowds tend to gather around Sakkala and Sheraton Road, at Hurghada Marina with its restaurants and bars by the yacht harbor, and along the El Mamsha promenade further south. In El Gouna, the night centers on Abu Tig Marina and Downtown, which are close enough to go back and forth between. Sahl Hasheesh is quieter, and New Year's Eve there mostly happens inside the resorts.

Resort gala dinners

Many resorts hold a gala dinner on New Year's Eve: a long dinner or buffet, often with a show or live music, and a party that carries on past midnight. It is usually priced per person and often sold ahead, and at some hotels it is part of the stay for guests that night, so check with your hotel before you plan anything else. If a gala interests you, ask what is included, such as drinks and seating, whether guests from outside the hotel are admitted, whether children are welcome, and what the dress code is.

Club nights and beach parties

Clubs, beach clubs and marina bars often put on a special night for New Year's Eve, with a DJ, live music or a themed party leading up to the countdown. Entry and table rules can differ from a normal night: some places charge entry or ask for a ticket bought ahead, a reserved table may come with a minimum spend, and door rules for large groups can be stricter. Tickets and tables for the last night of the year tend to go early. On the night, arrive in good time, because doors get crowded close to midnight and it can be hard to get in before the countdown.

Weather, and what to wear

Hurghada is usually mild and sunny at New Year, warm enough to sit outside during the day, but evenings by the sea turn cool and it can be windy. Bring a light jacket or a sweater for the night, especially for a party on the beach or at the marina. Resort galas often expect smart or elegant dress, so pack something you would wear to a good dinner. Clubs usually ask for smart-casual and proper shoes, and some turn away beachwear and flip-flops at night. If you are unsure, ask the venue or dress up a little.

Christmas and the holiday weeks

The stretch from Christmas into the first days of January is usually one of the busiest times of the year in Hurghada and El Gouna. Many European visitors come for Christmas and stay for New Year's Eve. Orthodox Christmas, celebrated by Egypt's Copts and by many visitors from Eastern Europe, falls in early January, and many visitors stay on through the New Year holidays. Hotels, flights and popular restaurants fill up and often cost more over these weeks, so plan your trip early, and if a particular gala or club night matters to you, ask about it well ahead.

Getting there and home safely

Getting home is the part of the night most people forget to plan. Taxis can be hard to find in the first hour after midnight, and ride apps can get busy too, so arrange your ride back before you go out, or ask your hotel to help. With a street taxi, agree on the fare before you get in. Keep your hotel's name and address on your phone, and carry some Egyptian pounds in small bills. Stay with your group, keep your drink with you, and if you are going between Hurghada and El Gouna, remember the drive takes roughly half an hour.

Planning your night

The easiest New Year's Eve is one you plan early. Decide where you want to be at midnight, at your resort, in town or by the beach, and ask the venue the questions that matter before you commit: what the ticket includes, the dress code, the minimum age and whether ID is checked at the door. Carry your passport or national ID card. Keep your ticket on your phone, with a screenshot in case the signal is weak, and share your plans with someone in your group. Where a venue has told us its dress code or minimum age, it is shown on its page.

Booking on YallaTonight

Booking on YallaTonight opens soon. Right now nothing can be booked on the site, New Year's Eve included, and the nights you see are samples that show how it will look. Leave your email under “Tell me when booking opens” on the site, and we will write to you once, when it opens.

Frequently asked questions