Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children

Hakawy Festival

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Arts & CultureCairo
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsHakawy's structure sets it apart from a
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: EGP
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children in Cairo

Founded in 2011 by AFCA Arts Center, Hakawy is Egypt's only international arts festival built specifically for children, combining performances with workshops, masterclasses and exhibitions. A deliberate touring structure brings the program to three different governorates each edition, extending access well beyond Cairo's usual festival crowd.

Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children was founded in 2011 by Cairo's AFCA Arts Center and remains, by its own description, the only international arts festival in Egypt built specifically for children rather than treating children's programming as a sidebar within a general festival.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Hakawy's structure sets it apart from a standard children's programming slot within a bigger festival: it runs its own workshops, masterclasses and exhibitions alongside performances, and it deliberately tours three Egyptian governorates each edition rather than staying fixed in Cairo, a decentralisation goal reinforced by a separate sister festival for local Egyptian artists

02

The mystery stays covered

Its name references the hakawati, the traditional Arabic storyteller, linking contemporary children's theatre, puppetry and music programming back to an older regional oral tradition

03

The city starts moving

Being Egypt's only dedicated international children's arts festival gives it a specialised niche unmatched by other national festivals

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's name and framing draw on the hakawati

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the traditional Arabic oral storyteller

The sacred route

Living ritual

connecting its contemporary children's programming to an older regional storytelling practice

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Cairo you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Comfortable, casual clothing suits a family festival with hands-on workshops; layers help since winter-to-spring days in Egypt can be cool in the morning and warmer by afternoon.

Safety

At Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children runs late.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

EGP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map30.06 N, 31.25 EOpen in Google Maps

Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

Nearest airportCAI — Cairo
TransportStay close enough to the part of Cairo you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Cairo via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Cairo, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable, casual clothing suits a family festival with hands-on workshops; layers help since winter-to-spring days in Egypt can be cool in the morning and warmer by afternoon.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Egypt and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children?

Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children take place?

The festival is listed in Cairo, Egypt. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLafca-arts.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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