Events & Festivals in Lebanon

This long-running festival programs classical music, opera, and ballet across several weeks. The Al Bustan Hotel in Beit Mery houses the performances in its acoustically well-known hall. Music enthusiasts form the core audience. Formal evening wear is common. It is not required.

This marathon ranks among the major running events in the Middle East. The course winds through Beirut's streets. Categories include full marathon, half-marathon, and fun run. Professional athletes and thousands of locals participate. Live bands and supporters line the route. The atmosphere is electric.

Solemn candlelit processions commemorating the Passion of Christ wind through several Beirut neighborhoods on Good Friday, in Achrafieh. Participants carry icons and crosses. Hymns accompany the march. The observance is traditional. Respectful onlookers are welcome.

Competitive trail running races of varying distances cut through the forests and slopes of the Lebanon Mountain Trail. Different regions, such as Tannourine or Baskinta, host individual races. Elevation and technical terrain challenge runners. A dedicated community of outdoor sports enthusiasts follows this series.

Sacred music from Christian, Islamic, and other traditions fills the basilica and grounds of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa. The setting overlooks Jounieh Bay. The mood is serene. The festival advances interfaith dialogue through music. The audience comes respectful and contemplative.

Free musical performances of all genres erupt across Beirut streets, bars, and public squares. Jazz trios and rock bands share the same informal stages. The city transforms. The access is wide open.

Studios, galleries, and showrooms across Beirut open their doors for this city-wide series of exhibitions, workshops, and talks. Architecture, product design, and graphics share the focus. Lebanon's contemporary design scene steps into public view.

Arabic and international music, dance, and theater fill the UNESCO-listed Roman Hippodrome and other historic sites in Tyre. The starlit setting draws crowds. The event runs about two weeks. It suits culture and history buffs.

This festival ranks among the oldest and most prestigious in the region. It develops in the monumental Roman temples of Baalbek. The lineup spans opera, classical music, jazz, and popular Arabic music. The ruins provide a dramatic backdrop. The scale is immense.

This multi-disciplinary festival takes over Tripoli's historic sites. The Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles hosts concerts, plays, and folk dance. Local Tripolitan talent shares the bill with international acts. The festival opens a window onto Lebanon's second city.

Writers, poets, and intellectuals gather in the mountain village of Baskinta. Readings, debates, and book signings develop in outdoor gardens and cultural centers. Literature pairs with fresh mountain air. The pace is quieter. The tone is thoughtful.

Concerts of Arabic tarab and popular music fill the open-air theater in the mountain resort town of Aley. Valley views frame every performance. Beirut residents and locals treat this as a favorite summer escape.

Concerts take place in Byblos, inside the historic Crusader castle and harbor area. The festival blends major international pop and rock artists with Arabic stars. The seaside setting and ancient ruins create a memorable environment. Evening concerts feel special here.

Ehden's cool mountains host this festival of theater, classical music, and literary discussions. Events develop in outdoor squares and historic churches in the old town. The scale is intimate. The tone is intellectual. It offers an alternative to the big coastal festivals.

This newer summer festival builds its stage in the Mediterranean Sea at Batroun's waterfront. The lineup mixes Lebanese alternative, rock, and electronic music. The atmosphere is casual and young. The beach and old town anchor the experience.

This series runs alongside the larger Tyre International Festival. Free public concerts, poetry readings, and craft workshops line the Corniche and fill public gardens. The feel is local. Tyre's coastal culture takes center stage.

Traditional Lebanese music and dance performances, handicraft displays, and local food tasting fill this festival in the historic Chouf mountain town. Events occupy the central square and the palace of Emir Fakhr-ed-Dine II. Local heritage drives the programming.

Lebanese and international jazz musicians gather for concerts in central Beirut. The program often includes fusion, blues, and world music. Venues range from accessible outdoor spaces to concert halls. The audience is broad. The appeal is wide.

This fair anchors the calendar for modern and contemporary art from Lebanon and the wider Middle East. Galleries display works for sale alongside talks and curated sections. The Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center hosts the event. Collectors, artists, and curious visitors attend.

This Bekaa Valley festival celebrates the wine harvest in a town known for restaurants and vineyards. Wineries pour tastings at stalls. Traditional Lebanese mezza is served. Evenings bring live music. The event is social and family-friendly.

This festival screens Arab and international films with a focus on independent cinema and documentaries. Beirut's multiplex cinemas and cultural centers host screenings and industry talks. Filmmakers and cinephiles from across the region gather here. It is a key meeting point.

Local farmers sell fresh apples and products like vinegar, jam, and pastries at this celebration of the apple harvest in the fertile mountain region. Cooking demonstrations and family activities round out the program. The scale is small. The village setting is authentic. Agricultural produce anchors everything.

Local food producers offer olive oil, wine, honey, and seasonal fruits at this autumn harvest celebration in the Byblos region. Cooking workshops and live folk music animate the old souk area near the harbor. The atmosphere is festive.

This shorter, non-competitive run ties into the main Beirut International Marathon. Families, children, and casual runners join the marathon atmosphere without committing to the full distance. The route covers a few kilometers through central Beirut streets.

A seasonal market fills the central Beirut Souks area. Stalls sell handicrafts, decorations, and seasonal foods. A large Christmas tree and festive lights dominate the space. Choir performances happen occasionally. Families and evening shoppers crowd this popular destination.

Children celebrate this feast day honoring Saint Barbara. They wear costumes and roam their neighborhoods, singing traditional songs for treats. Some churches and community centers throw parties with games and the classic dessert of boiled wheat, raisins, and sugar.