On a winter evening in Cairo, the city feels different. At Christmas Town in Hyde Park in New Cairo, fairy lights stretch overhead, Christmas songs hum through speakers, and the smell of hot chocolate drifts between stalls. Children line up for games, couples pause under glowing arches for photos, and groups of friends linger longer than usual, hands wrapped around warm cups. For a few hours, the city seems to slow down. Scenes like this are no longer confined to Christian communities or religious spaces. Muslim visitors pose beside Christmas trees, take photos under festive lights, and move easily through decorated cafés and winter markets. Much of this seasonal décor also coincides with New Year celebrations, creating an end-of-year atmosphere that blends global winter aesthetics and public life in the city. This openness toward festive visuals reflects a generational shift. Younger Egyptians, raised on social media and global visual culture, often engage with Christmas aesthetics as seasonal or cultural markers rather than religious symbols, enjoying the atmosphere without attaching specific religious meaning to it. For Egypt’s Christian community, Christmas remains a deeply religious and meaningful occasion. Christianity is the second-largest…
