Karnak Sound and Light Show 2026 at a glance
The sound and light show takes place in the evening inside the temple. It is run by the site's show operator and sold separately from the day ticket. The schedule has an English show at 19:00 and a second show at 20:00 in all languages, Arabic included, on every day of the week.
The adult ticket is $20 and the child ticket $11 for ages 6 to 12 (2026 prices). A VIP category also exists, so ask for the amount when you book. The operator can change dates and times.
Our picks: Karnak sound and light show
Only the ticket-and-transfer option confirms an English-language show. The private transfer option adds a guide, and the felucca combination starts on the Nile at sunset; for those two, ask which language the show runs in before you book.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sunset felucca ride and Karnak sound and light show
- Sunset felucca ride
- Karnak show
- Entries and guide
A private evening that starts on the Nile at sunset and moves on to the Karnak show, with transfers. Ask for the pickup time and the language of the show before you book.
Check availability →
Karnak sound and light show ticket in English
- English-language show
- Private return transfer
- Representative on site
Entry to the English-language show with a private air-conditioned transfer from the East Bank. No tour guide is part of this one, and the show time is confirmed when you book.
Check availability →
Private Karnak sound and light show with transfers
- Show entry
- Private guide
- Hotel pickup and return
A private evening with an air-conditioned transfer and a guide. Ask for the exact time and the language of the show before you book.
Check availability →Karnak evening tours and show tickets
Evening visits and tours that include the Karnak sound and light show, with live prices and availability.
Karnak light show times
The schedule is the same on all seven days.
| Time | Language | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 19:00 | English | Monday to Sunday |
| 20:00 | All languages, Arabic | Monday to Sunday |
The second show runs from at least 5 foreign guests, and the operator can change dates, so a quiet evening may not have a 20:00 show. If you want that slot, confirm it when you book. For most visitors who speak English, the 19:00 show is the safest choice.
Sound and light show tickets and prices
The show has its own price list. Your day ticket for the temple does not get you into the show. Plan to buy both if you want both.
- Regular: $20 per person.
- Child, 6 to 12 years: $11.
- VIP: a separate category. Check the amount when you book.
The show is advertised online. Book on the operator's own channel or through a tour that includes it. If you book a tour, check that the show ticket is part of the price and that the language matches your needs.
Languages: what to expect
The show is offered in 10 languages. English has a fixed slot at 19:00, and the 20:00 show is for all languages together with Arabic. That does not promise a live show in German or French on any given night. If you need a specific language, confirm it before you buy.
Day visit or evening show: which one?
They are two different tickets for two different experiences.
| Day visit | Sound and light show | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 06:00 to 17:00 | 19:00 and 20:00 |
| Price 2026 | EGP 600 foreign adult, EGP 300 student | $20 adult, $11 child 6 to 12 |
| Includes | Temple and Open Air Museum | The evening show only |
| Languages | Your own or your guide's | English at 19:00, all languages and Arabic at 20:00 |
If you can only do one, choose the day visit, because it lets you walk through the halls, past the obelisks and to the Sacred Lake. For most visitors with two evenings in Luxor, the show is a good addition on the first night, and the day visit follows early the next morning, before the heat.
Plan your evening at Karnak
A few practical points before you go.
Day and evening are separate
The temple closes at 17:00 for day visitors. Come back for the show with the show ticket.
Day tickets →Dress for the evening
Long-term averages put January nights at about 6 °C and December and February at about 8 °C. In winter, bring a jacket. From June to September nights stay warm, with average lows of about 22 to 25 °C.
Luxor weather →Fit the show to your day
Luxor Temple is open until 20:00 and sits about 3 km south. It suits the late afternoon before an evening at Karnak.
Luxor Temple →Get back safely
Agree on a taxi fare in advance or have the meter switched on, and plan your ride back before the show starts.
Getting around →
Karnak sound and light show: frequently asked questions
What time is the Karnak sound and light show?
The schedule has an English show at 19:00 and a show in all languages, Arabic included, at 20:00. The times are the same on every day of the week. The operator can change them.
How much is the show ticket?
$20 for adults and $11 for children aged 6 to 12 in 2026. A VIP category exists. Check the amount when you book.
Is the show included in the Karnak day ticket?
No. The show has its own ticket and its own price list.
Is the show held in German?
The 19:00 show is in English and the 20:00 show in all languages and Arabic. A live show in German is not guaranteed on any night. Confirm the language before you book.
Does the 20:00 show always run?
It runs from at least 5 foreign guests, and the operator can change dates. Confirm it when you book if you want that time.
Is temple-of-karnak.org the official show website?
No. This is an independent guide with no connection to the show operator, the ministry or any tour company.