Lebanon Travel Guide - Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Orthodox Armenian Christmas. 
10 Jan Islamic New Year.
19 Jan Ashoura.
9 Feb Feast of St Maroun. 
20 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday). 
21 Mar Good Friday.
23 Mar Easter Sunday.
25 Apr Orthodox Good Friday. 
27 Apr Orthodox Easter.
1 May Labour Day.
6 May Martyrs' Day.
13 May Resistance and Liberation Day.
15 Aug Assumption of the Virgin.
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
22 Nov Independence Day.
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Orthodox Armenian Christmas. 
7 Jan Ashoura.
9 Feb Feast of St Maroun. 
9 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet's Birthday). 
10 Apr Good Friday.
12 Apr Easter Sunday.
17-20 Orthodox Easter.
1 May Labour Day.
6 May Martyrs' Day. 
25 May Resistance and Liberation Day.
15 Aug Assumption of the Virgin.
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
22 Nov Independence Day.
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Muslim feasts are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.