Lebanon Events 2010
Mzaar Winter Festival
Date: February 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mzaar Kfardebian Ski
Description: After swimming in the Lebanon's warm coastal waters in the morning, head 30 miles north east of Beirut to the Mzaar Ski Resort. Here, the Mzaar Winter Festival presents impressive, competitive displays by international and Lebanese skiers and snowboarders.
Beirut Fashion Week
Date: March 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Centre
Description: Touted as the first fashion show in the Middle East, Beirut Fashion Week brings fashionistas to Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Centre. See the latest styles in the ready-to-wear collections, bridal gowns and footwear.
Al Bustan Festival
Date: February - March 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Hotel Al Bustan
Description: Immerse yourself in music, opera, dance and theatre during the Al Bustan Festival, which smooths the way from winter towards spring. There are 30 events to choose from over five weeks at Emile Bustani Auditorium in Beirut's Hotel Al Bustan.
Qanat Bakish
Date: 1 November 2009 - 30 March 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Qanat Bakish
Description: Renown for the quality of its snow, Qanat Bakish is one of the six ski resorts in Lebanon and the closest to Beirut. The ski season in the Middle East runs until early April, when the weather is warm enough to dip in the Med after a day on the slopes.
Beirut International Tango Festival
Date: April 2010 (Annual)
Venue: American University of Beirut
Description: The Beirut International Tango Festival brings the Argentine dance genre to the American University of Beirut. Take a dance class, catch a typical tango quartet concert and head to El Derwendi restaurant for the nightly milonga club nights and shows.
The Garden Show & Spring Festival
Date: May 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Beirut Hippodrome
Description: Beirut Hippodrome is transformed into a green oasis during The Garden Show & Spring Festival. Among the sweet-scented flowers and exotic plants are stalls selling garden accessories, local crafts and healthy food. You can also attend courses, master classes and concerts.
The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental-Arabic Music
Date: April - June 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Saint Joseph University
Description: For concerts with a local flavour, book tickets for The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental-Arabic Music. Led by Lebanese Conservatory director Walid Gholmieh, they perform a season of concerts in the Pierre Y Aboukhater Amphitheatre at Saint Joseph University, Beirut.
The Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra
Date: April - June 2010 (Annual)
Venue: St Joseph's Church
Description: Catch the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra during their season of classical concerts at St Joseph's Church in Beirut. The concerts are led by Lebanese Conservatory director and orchestra founder Walid Gholmieh, conductors Wojciech Czepiel, Harout Fazlian and Michel Khairallah.
DocuDays
Date: Jul 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Al Madina Theater
Description: Beirut's documentary festival, DocuDays, aims to raise awareness of non-fictional film as both entertainment and information. It screens international documentaries at Al-Madina Theater and other venues, as well as local films, providing an insight into Lebanese culture and current affairs.
Tyre & South Festival
Date: Jul - Aug 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Tyre
Description: The ancient Phoenician city of Tyre, around 45 miles south of Beirut, is the setting for the Tyre & South Festival. Wander among the ruins of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy a showcase of Lebanese performing arts.
Byblos International Festival
Date: June - August 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Byblos (Jbeil)
Description: The ancient port of Byblos, 30km north of Beirut, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each summer, it becomes the meeting point of east and west when the International Festival presents a rich fusion of Arabic and world music.
Baalbeck International Festival
Date: July - August 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Baalbeck Temples
Description: Set 55 miles west of Beirut, among Baalbeck's atmospheric Roman temples, the Baalbeck International Festival is a major cultural event in Lebanon's festival calendar. Classical and opera fans are in for a treat as much as rock and jazz aficionados.
Beiteddine Festival
Date: July - August 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Beiteddine Palace
Description: With its quality line-up of Lebanese and global sounds, Beiteddine Festival is definitely an event to plan for. Its setting is also impressive - in the courtyards of the Beiteddine Palace, 30 miles south of Beirut in the Chouf Mountains.
Mzaar Summer Festival
Date: August 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Mzaar Gardens
Description: Mzaar Summer Festival fills the Mzaar Gardens in Faraya, 30 miles north-east of Beirut. Alongside Lebanese art and music, there's fashion and fireworks. After a Catholic Mass celebrating the Assumption, enjoy mountain views from a hot-air balloon.
Baalbeck International Festival
Date: July - August 2010; Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun only (Annual)
Venue: Baalbeck
Description: The International Festival takes place every year in the massive complex of Roman temples at Baalbeck, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This year's line up includes Johnny Halliday, a French production of the opera Carmen, jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, and violinist Fabio Biondi.
Ramadan
Date: August - September 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Beirut
Description: Visit Beirut during the holy month of Ramadan for a moving and exuberant evocation of Islamic culture. The addan call to prayer echoes from Beirut's mosque minarets and evening fireworks or bangs signal the breaking of the fast (iftar).
Freikeh Festival
Date: September 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Freikeh
Description: An early 19th century silk factory in Freikeh is transformed into a space for avant-garde theatre and arts.
Eid al-Fitr
Date: September 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Beirut
Description: The feast days of Eid al-Fitr come at the end of Ramadan and last for three days. Beirut especially comes alive during this time with joyous celebrations, music and fireworks.
Beirut International Film Festival
Date: September - October 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Empire Sofil
Description: Middle-Eastern film students exhibit their artistic and political vision in the competitive Beirut International Film Festival. Catch a screening at the Empire Sofil and Concorde Planete cinemas or the opening and closing ceremonies at the UNESCO Palace.
Independence Day
Date: November 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Beirut
Description: Independence Day is one of the most important public holidays in the Lebanese calendar as it represents everything they suffered for. In Beirut it is celebrated with pomp and fervour, including a grand parade featuring military and Lebanese dignitaries.
Qanat Bakish
Date: 1 November 2009 - 30 March 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Qanat Bakish
Description: Renown for the quality of its snow, Qanat Bakish is one of the six ski resorts in Lebanon and the closest to Beirut. The ski season in the Middle East runs until early April, when the weather is warm enough to dip in the Med after a day on the slopes.
Beirut Marathon
Date: December 2010 (Annual)
Venue: Beirut
Description: Beirut Marathon attracts elite and leisure runners from the Middle East, Africa and all over the world. You don't have to run the full 25 miles as there are shorter races, or just soak up the atmosphere and watch.
NOTE: All events listed above are subject to change in dates. Southtravels.com will not bear responsibility for change in dates.