Lebanon Events and Festivals

Eid al Adha
As a country with a large Muslim population, Lebanon celebrates all of the popular Islamic festivals with the famous Eid al Adha local Lebanese citizens marking the time when Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son. Traditionally, strict Muslims make sacrifices of animals in remembrance of this event.

Orthodox Armenian Christmas
Lebanon’s non Muslim community celebrates the birth of Christ on the 6th of January with typical activities such as gift giving and family get-togethers.

Islamic New Year
Lebanese celebrate the beginning of the new Muslim year with enthusiasm through a variety of festive events and attractions. This is a public holiday in Lebanon and most shops and services will cease trading or operating.

Orthodox Easter
Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus’ rising from the dead with similar traditions to those observed by their western counterparts. Holy Week is a very important week in the Christian calendar and is taken very seriously by the many Christians who live in the country.

Liberation of the South
On this public holiday, Lebanese citizens celebrate the day on which the southern region of the country was released from Israeli control.

Byblos International Festival
The Byblos International Festival is a five-day event which sees musical performers from a varied selection of genres gather to perform for enthusiastic Lebanese crowds. Visitors can expect internationally acclaimed artists with everything from classical to jazz and hip hop on offer.

Baalbeck International Festival
Held annually and hailed as the Middle East’s oldest and most prestigious event of its nature, the Baalbeck International Festival features performances in fields such as dance, classical music, traditional theatre, jazz and opera with artists from every continent gathering to showcase their talents.

Beiteddine Festival
The Beiteddine Festival is essentially a musical festival that attracts big names from a variety of genres including modern day pop artists and popular old school names also.

Feast of the Assumption
Orthodox Christians celebrate the time at which it’s believed the Virgin Mary ascended into heaven.

Ramadan
Ramadan is the most important religious festival in the Islamic calendar. It lasts for an entire month and sees devout Muslims fasting, abstaining from sexual relations and not smoking during daylight hours. If you visit during Ramadan, you will find that many of the local shops and offices have erratic opening hours as many people choose to sleep during the afternoon. While visitors are not expected to fast or give up smoking, you will be frowned upon if you are seen eating and smoking in public as it is extremely disrespectful. Tourist hotels are rarely affected, but it s important to bear in mind that restaurants, shops and some tourist attractions may close during the day.

Eid al Fitr
This three-day festival marks the end of the period known as Ramadan in which Muslims practice fasting and abstinence. Families come together to enjoy feasts, give gifts and pray.

Eid al Adha
The festival of Eid al Adha is conducted once again with the same traditions observed as in the January festival with the same name.

New Years Day: 1 January
Orthodox Armenian Christmas: 6 January
Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice): date varies every year
Feast of St Maroun: date varies every year
Islamic New Year: date varies every year
Ashoura: date varies every year
Good Friday: date varies every year
Easter Sunday: date varies every year
Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday): date varies every year
Orthodox Good Friday: date varies every year
Orthodox Easter Sunday: date varies every year
Labour Day: 1 May
Martyrs’ Day: 6 May
Liberation of the South: 25 May
Assumption Day: 15 August
All Saints’ Day: 1 November
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): date varies every year
Independence Day: 22 November
Christmas Day: 25 December