Mark your agenda
Grab your agenda and mark down these events.
A roundup of the best events
JUNE
JOUNIEH SUMMER FESTIVAL Where: USEK Campus, Kaslik When: 16 - 29 June With performances by Wael Kfoury (23 June) and James Arthur (29 June), this year’s show promises to be a big hit.
BEIRUT DESIGN WEEK
Where: Around Beirut When: 22 - 29 June Bringing together more than 25,000 visitors at over 150 events in various locations around Beirut, Beirut Design Week showcases the best of Lebanese and international design.
SUMMER MISK FESTIVAL
Where: Beit Misk When: 22 & 28 June This year, Beit Misk welcomes Guy Manoukian and Abu (22 June). The festival will also feature British chart-toppers Clean Bandit (28 June). 71 211121, Miskentertainment
JULY BATROUN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Where: Batroun When: 1 - 25 July
Kick your summer up a level and take part in all sorts of fun activities from a bike festival (1 July) to a windsurf challenge (16 - 25 July). 06 422262, batrounfestival.org
BEER, WINE, SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Where: Batroun When: 8
Get ready to discover Lebanon’s best beer, wine and seafood from a large selection of vendors from around the country (part of the Batroun International Festival). 06 422262, batrounfestival.org BAALBECK INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL When: 8 July - 17 August Where: Bacchus Temple, Baalbeck For the first time in its six-decade history, the festival will host a musicalcomedy theater performance of “Illa Iza” by Georges Khabaz (10 - 11 August). Other performances include a live cineconcert by renowned composer Khaled Mouzannar (8 July) and a tribute to Oum Kalthoum by Marwa Nagy and Mal Farouk (20 July). 01 373150, Baalbeckinternationalfestival
BEITEDDINE ART FESTIVAL
Where: Beiteddine Palace When: 12 July - 11 August After a long hiatus, the legendary Ziad Rahbani is making his long awaited comeback on the first and second night of the festival (12 - 13 July). Other performances include the Antonio Cades Dance Academy (19 July), Ute Lemper (25 July), Kadim Al Saher (27 - 28 July), Carla Bruni (30 July) and the Cirque Éloize (9 - 11 August). 01 349060, beiteddine.org
CEDARS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Where: Bcharre When: 13 - 28 July
Known for its rich program of musical, cultural and environmental activities, Shakira’s concert on the opening night of the festival (13 July) is definitely an event not to miss. 09 261201, cedarsinternationalfestival.org
UNITE WITH TOMORROWLAND Where: Seaside Arena, Beirut When: 28 July
For the second consecutive year, Lebanon will be connected live to the Tomorrowland mainstage in Belgium. tomorrowland.com
AUGUST BYBLOS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Where: Byblos When: 1 August - TBC
As a festival first, an all-standing concert will be taking place with international hitmakers The Chainsmokers (1 August). 09 542020, byblosfestival.org
EHDENIYAT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL Where: Ehden When: TBC
Following last year’s successful performances, Kadim el Saher is back by popular demand for two consecutive concerts (4 - 5 August). 76 908020, ehdeniyat.org
IBRAHIM MAALOUF IN CONCERT Where: Batroun When: 11 August
Watch the incredible French-lebanese trumpeter, composer and arranger Ibrahim Maalouf in concert (part of the Batroun International Festival). 06 422262, batrounfestival.org
SEPTEMBER
LEBANON LATIN FESTIVAL When: 5 - 10 September Where: Eddé Sands Resorts, Byblos This Latin extravaganza is hosting over 90 artists, 15 DJS and more than 100 workshops to spice up the end of the summer season. 03 727240, lebanonlatinfestival.com
BATROUN MEDITERRANEAN FILM FESTIVAL Where: Batroun When: 6 - 9 September
If you’re into foreign films then this one is for you. Apart from film screenings, the festival will also be hosting competitions, workshops, and concerts. 06 422262, batrounfestival.org
WICKERPARK FESTIVAL Where: Batroun When: 8 September
This zero-waste grassroots alternative music festival brings together new and emerging bands and plays a major role in the dynamics of the alternative culture in the country. wickerparkfestival.com BEIRUT DESIGN FAIR Where: Seaside Arena, Beirut When: 19 - 23 September Seeking to reaffirm Lebanon as the design hub of the Middle East, Beirut Design Fair will once again showcase contemporary and vintage furniture and design objects from 45 exhibitors. beirut-design-fair.com
BEIRUT ART FAIR
Where: Seaside Arena, Beirut When: 20 - 23 September Celebrating its ninth edition with more than 50 galleries representing over 20 countries, this year’s art fair will present a focus exhibition dedicated to Lebanese photography. beirut-art-fair.com BEIRUT RESTAURANTS FESTIVAL Where: Trainstation, Mar Mikhael, Beirut When: 28 - 30 September With over 50 restaurants, cafés and bars serving delicious food and refreshment, as well as a jam-packed program of live music, you won’t be able to resist this popular event. 01 480081, Beirutrestaurantsfestival
OCTOBER
WHISKY LIVE BEIRUT Where: Seaside Pavilion, Beirut When: 18 - 20 October Discover the most exquisite whiskies from around the world and take part in tastings and masterclasses to learn more about rare and limited edition bottles. 01 480081, whiskylivebeirut.com