Marking its eleventh edition under the banner And Lebanon Remains, the Beirut Holidays Festival opened its 2026 run on July 16 on the waterfront in Antelias – Naccache. The multi-week summer music series brings together Lebanese and Arab artists despite regional security challenges, operating in the time while festivals and artistic concerts in Lebanon are absent due to security conditions in the country, as noted by Al-Quds Al-Arabi.
The cultural event launched under the patronage of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, represented by Information Minister Paul Morcos, alongside Elias Bou Saab, U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa, and other diplomatic, political, and artistic figures. The opening also saw the presence of Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Abboud and Antelias – Naccache Mayor George Abou Joudeh, alongside an elite group of political, diplomatic, media, and artistic figures. Moving temporarily from central Beirut to the Antelias – Naccache waterfront, the opening night paired live musical performance with messages of cultural resilience, carrying a message of loyalty to the Lebanese capital.
A Symmetrical Opening Night and Drone Light Show
Lebanese singer Abeer Nehme took the stage for her debut performance at the festival, delivering a set of her signature songs and paying tribute to the late composer Zaki Nassif with his song Naqilak Ahla Zahra, according to (Al-Quds Al-Arabi). Nehme also led the audience in singing Fairouz’s Beirut (Lebairut), embodying with her warm voice her deep connection to Beirut and affirming that art remains a space for hope and life, and that the capital will remain a beacon of culture and creativity despite all challenges. In a performance that held the audience in suspense, she channeled her distinctive song “Bela Ma Nehes,” bringing together strength, sophistication, deep feeling, and stage presence.
The opening evening featured a surprise appearance by Algerian artist Amine Babilon, who joined Nehme on stage for a duet of his song Ya Zina Ma Dariti Fina in an enthusiastic moment that won the admiration of the audience and ignited the opening atmosphere. The night concluded with a drone light display illustrating the map of Lebanon, the name Lebanon, and Beirut across the sky in a visual panel that harmonized with the slogan of the edition And Lebanon Remains,
followed by a massive fireworks display amid warm applause from the audience.
Summer Concert Schedule Across July 2026
The festival’s schedule runs in the period from July 16 to 28, bringing a diverse lineup of regional and international performers to the Antelias – Naccache stage through late July to present a musical compilation suited to various tastes. Following Nehme’s opening, Jordanian singer Al-Akhras made his festival debut on July 18, promising his fans to deliver his most beautiful songs that have gained widespread popularity recently.
July 20: International musician Guy Manoukian returned for his third year, taking the audience on an artistic journey ranging from his most famous compositions to works presented with special musical arrangements, accompanied by a comprehensive visual and musical show. During the evening, Manoukian was joined by guest artist Adriana Diab in a debut that gained the audience’s admiration, and delivered an emotional speech emphasizing that the festival reflects the Lebanese people’s adherence to life and art despite all challenges.
July 22: Comedian John Achkar presented his stand-up show Fina Nehki, spreading an atmosphere of joy and cheer.
July 24: Joseph Attieh performed for his third year at the event, bringing contemporary Lebanese song and romance to the stage to ignite the venue with his lively presence.
July 25: International composer Ibrahim Maalouf performed at the festival for the first time, transporting attendees into a world of mesmerizing musical integration between East and West.
July 26: Marwan Khoury made his debut festival appearance, offering an evening filled with emotions and sweet melodies that achieved massive audience interaction.
Elissa Closes the Festival and Previews New Work
Lebanese singer Elissa closed the eleventh edition of the festival on July 28 in front of an anticipated massive audience in a magical night carrying all meanings of love and loyalty to Beirut, turning the capital into a vibrant space. An audience that included Tourism Minister Laura Lahoud watched the evening hosted by media personality Nisshan, featuring a blend of Elissa’s catalog alongside traditional Fairouz tracks.
During the closing night, and in a gesture to return the favor to Syrian singer Nassif Zeytoun who was present to attend her concert just as she had attended his within the same festival, Elissa invited Zeytoun on stage to perform Leilet El Basslak El Abyad together.
A more than wonderful concert yesterday at Beirut Holidays with the Queen of Feeling, the love of my heart, Elissa… you lit up Beirut with your feeling, beauty, art and positive energy! It was an honor for me to sing with you… may God protect you and may the smile never leave your face! May God take me before you.
Nassif Zeytoun
The joint stage appearances by Elissa and Zeytoun—which repeated twice in a short period—sparked many comments and speculation regarding a potential upcoming artistic collaboration between the two performers, serving as a preamble to the public of an artistic cooperation in the coming days. The festival officially concluded on July 28, wrapping up its run on the Antelias – Naccache waterfront.
