Timkat

Timkat (also written Timket) is the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's celebration of Epiphany, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. UNESCO, which inscribed Ethiopian Epiphany on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019, describes it as celebrated all over Ethiopia. In 2027 the eve, Ketera, is on Monday 18 January and Timkat itself on Tuesday 19 January.

How it is observed

On the afternoon of Ketera, each parish carries its tabot, a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, to a pool, river or reservoir, where it rests in a tent. The community keeps an all-night vigil of prayer and hymns, including the Eucharistic liturgy. Before sunrise on Timkat the water is blessed and sprinkled on those present; at about 10am each tabot is carried back to its church with traditional and religious songs. Ethiopia's nomination file for UNESCO notes that people wear clean or new clothes, with women often covered in a white netela, that young people sweep and lay carpets along the route, and that families gather and visit relatives.

Jan Meda, Addis Ababa

The nomination file names Jan Meda as the main centre of the celebration in the capital. Gondar, whose Fasil's Pool the Ministry of Tourism describes as one of the best places to see Timkat, is in Amhara region, where the FCDO currently advises against all travel. This page does not offer stays or flights for Gondar.

• Ketera, 18 January 2027: parishes escort their tabots to the water in the afternoon, followed by a night of prayer and hymns (UNESCO).
• Jan Meda: the main gathering place for Timkat in Addis Ababa (UNESCO nomination file).
• Blessing of the water: before sunrise on 19 January the water is blessed and sprinkled on the congregation (UNESCO).
• The return of the tabots: from about 10am each tabot is carried back to its church with songs, as young people lay carpets along the route (UNESCO).

• Bole: about 6 km from the airport (Ethiopian Airlines), with the widest choice of hotels; FCDO reports rising crime in Bole Medhanealem and Bole Atlas, so take care on foot.
• Arat Kilo and Sidist Kilo: central districts a short distance from Jan Meda, useful for the night vigil and the early start on 19 January.
• Piazza: the older city centre, a short taxi ride from Jan Meda.

Fly into Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), Ethiopian Airlines' hub; international flights use Terminal II. Ethiopian Airlines says the airport is about 6 km from the Bole Road area, and metered airport taxis can be hired in the Arrivals Hall. FCDO advises using airport buses or taxis arranged by your hotel or travel company, or yellow or app-based taxis, and warns that GPS is unreliable in Addis Ababa, so download offline maps. On 18 and 19 January, expect large crowds and slow traffic around Jan Meda and on the routes between the churches.

We don't have a city guide for Addis Ababa yet; see our Ethiopia guide.

Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights.

Timkat is a religious observance held in public, at pools, rivers and church grounds across Ethiopia, including Jan Meda in Addis Ababa. We have found no official ticketing for it and no official source that says entry needs a ticket.

Timkat is an act of worship, so watch as a guest. Stand back from the clergy and the tabots, don't block the route, and follow instructions from church stewards. Dress modestly in clean clothes; many people wear white (UNESCO nomination file). Ask before you photograph people, and put the camera down during prayers. No official photography rules are published for Timkat, but FCDO notes it is illegal to take photos near the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa, and flying a drone needs permission.

The ceremonies run from the afternoon of 18 January through a night vigil to the procession back to the churches on 19 January, so plan for long hours on your feet. Bring water, sun protection and a warm layer if you plan to stay for the night. Carry a paper copy of your passport, as FCDO advises.

No official accessibility information is published for Timkat at Jan Meda. Ceremonies take place outdoors in large, standing crowds. For questions, contact Ethiopia's Ministry of Tourism through its contact page.

FCDO does not advise against travel to Addis Ababa, but it notes that large crowds are common on key religious dates, including Timket, and advises avoiding large gatherings and demonstrations. It reports pickpocketing and bag snatching around Bole International Airport and rising crime, including knifepoint robberies, in Bole Medhanealem, Bole Atlas, Meskel Square, Yeka Hills and Entoto; avoid walking alone there if you can. Keep valuables out of sight in traffic.

Gondar and the rest of Amhara region: FCDO advises against all travel (advice updated 26 October 2026), citing armed conflict, roadblocks and a very volatile security situation. See the FCDO regional risks page.

• Before you go, read the UK government's FCDO travel advice for Ethiopia (entry requirements, safety and local laws).
• Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights and live alerts.