Summer is heating up, which means it’s time for great outdoor concerts.  An all-star line-up of famous musicians are slated to perform at this year’s annual Byblos International Festival.  The several week event is a celebration of live music, the fusion of international and Lebanese culture, and the magic of Byblos, which transforms itself into the ultimate seaside venue.

Stage on the coast of Byblos. Photo by byblosfestival.org/venue

One of Lebanon’s oldest port cities just 30 km north of Beirut, the city of Byblos has been designated as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. It was founded in 5000 B.C. in ancient Phoenicia.  Today, it is a beautiful modern city with a well-preserved historical district.  Iconic ruins such as Phoenician temples, Byblos castle, and the Crusader Fort still reminisce of ancient times.

The Byblos International Festival brings the city booming into the 21st century every summer.  Thousands of visitors, both Lebanese and international, flock to Byblos to take in the fun and music.  A huge concert stage, nestled between the monuments and the sea, lights up under the night sky.  The festival is famous for fusing the musical heritage of Lebanon with music styles from all over the world.

This year, the headliners are:

Don Quixote (28 June – 3 July)
Moby (5 July)
Scorpions (4, 6 and 7 July)
Florent Pagny (9 July)
Jamie Cullum (12 July)
Thirty Seconds to Mars (15 July)
Amadou Et Mariam (20 July)
Les Mysteres Lyriques (23 July)

Don’t forget to book your Byblos hotel in advance — accommodations fill up all summer long and especially during this spectacular event!

They always tell us Lebanese and Italians are so alike, but it seems that both sides have gotten over the issue of comparison, and have decided to finally get together in a beautiful piece of art on stage. This Friday July 30th at 8:30pm, Byblos’ festival lights up once more with a vibrant performance of Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro”.

Le Nozze di Figaro is a comic opera, an operetta of a story happening in one day. Witness Italian and Lebanese singers on stage, and enjoy the beautiful voices merged together in one piece of work.

Hotels in Byblos are awaiting your presence to serve you with the finest during your stay for the coming weekend.

What is that sound? It sounds like music, but no instruments are playing, its so melodic and enticing to dance to, yet it is something not heard often. Yes with their own two feet, each of the Irish group’s river-dance team will be tapping on stage here in Lebanon!

From July 21st up to July 25th rush to the Citadel walls in Byblos Jbeil to witness the Irish art of movement, and music of the body. Enjoy river-dancing and clap along to the stultifying beats that result.

The ancient Phoenician city offers history as a background to this great performance, as well as its gorgeous harbor packed with restaurants. Not to mention, the beautiful Byblos hotels and resorts, there for your pleasure and comfort.