Temple of Horus at Edfu hosts shows from 30 October 2026
Published on 10/31/2026 at 17:16 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSNight programme and ancient sanctuary
- Egypt's Sound and Light Company begins the Edfu programme on 30 October 2026.
- The winter programme brings narrated evening performances to the sanctuary dedicated to Horus.
- Construction began in 237 BC and the completed temple dates from 57 BC.
Temple of Horus at Edfu hosts the winter sound and light programme from 30 October 2026, bringing narrated evening performances to the ancient sanctuary in Edfu, Egypt. The programme is organised by Misr Company for Sound, Light and Tourism Development and forms part of the 2026/2027 winter schedule for Egyptian archaeological sites.
The sanctuary is also known in Arabic as the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Its setting gives the seasonal programme a direct connection with the building: the evening presentation uses light, sound and historical narration inside the monument dedicated to Horus.
Sound and light shows begin at Edfu on 30 October
The Egyptian company announced the winter schedule on 25 October 2026. It stated that the programme at the site would begin on 30 October 2026 and continue until the end of the winter-time schedule. The same announcement names Edfu among the archaeological locations covered by the programme and sets out two evening performances at the temple.
The performances present stories connected with ancient Egyptian kings, temples and monuments through lighting, sound effects and narration. The official operator lists the Edfu presentation among its daily shows and identifies the Temple of Horus in Edfu as one of the archaeological sites where it operates. The published schedule is therefore a specific evening programme at the sanctuary, rather than a general cultural event in the city.
The announcement says that language selection follows the foreign language most requested by visitors. It also distinguishes the first performance from the second by setting different attendance conditions, so the two parts of the programme do not operate on identical terms. The winter programme announcement names both the date and the venue.
How the programme relates to the Ptolemaic temple
The monument stands on the western bank of the Nile and is dedicated to the worship of Horus. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities describes it as one of the most complete ancient Egyptian temples. Construction began under Ptolemy III in 237 BC and was completed under Ptolemy XII in 57 BC, a building period of 180 years.
Visitors encounter two large pylons, granite statues of the falcon god Horus and a peristyle court with columns decorated by floral capitals. Beyond the court are two hypostyle halls, followed by the transverse hall and the sanctuary. The route from the pylons towards the sanctuary explains why an evening presentation about Horus is tied to the architecture rather than simply staged in an unrelated urban venue.
The temple remained buried beneath layers of settlement debris for millennia, helping its architectural and decorative elements survive. The French archaeologist Auguste Mariette uncovered and restored parts of it in 1860. The ministry's official monument description identifies the western-bank location, the construction dates and the sequence of principal spaces.
Visiting Temple of Horus at Edfu: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The sound and light programme starts at Temple of Horus at Edfu on 30 October 2026 as part of the winter schedule.
- The evening programme is presented inside the archaeological site and uses narration, sound effects and lighting to tell stories connected with Horus and ancient Egypt.
- The monument is in Edfu on the western bank of the Nile, in Upper Egypt. The official monument listing places it within the Aswan area.
- The visit includes large pylons, granite statues, a peristyle court, two hypostyle halls, a transverse hall and the sanctuary, with the route moving through several monumental spaces.
- Egypt's official language is Arabic and its national currency is the Egyptian pound.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Temple of Horus at Edfu
When do the sound and light shows take place at Temple of Horus at Edfu?
The winter programme begins on 30 October 2026. The announcement covers the 2026/2027 winter schedule and names two evening performances at the site.
What is Temple of Horus at Edfu?
It is a Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Horus on the western bank of the Nile. Construction began in 237 BC and was completed in 57 BC.
Where is Temple of Horus at Edfu and how do you get there?
The monument is in Edfu in Upper Egypt, on the western bank of the Nile. Egypt's official monument service places it within the Aswan area.
