Public Holidays in Lebanon 2025 – National & Religious Days
Lebanon has a blend of national, religious (Christian & Islamic), and memorial holidays. Some are fixed by civil statute, while others—especially Islamic ones—depend on lunar calculations and may shift slightly. On these public holidays, many government offices, banks, and institutions close.
Overview of Public Holidays in Lebanon
Lebanon’s public holidays include Christian observances like Easter and the Annunciation, Muslim holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, national commemorations (Independence Day, Liberation Day), and memorials like Rafik Hariri Memorial Day. Some holidays may have “in-lieu” days when they fall on weekends.
List of Public Holidays in Lebanon (2025)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | Fixed Gregorian New Year holiday |
| January 6 | Monday | Armenian / Orthodox Christmas (Epiphany) | Recognized Christian observance |
| February 9 | Sunday | St. Maroun’s Day | Commemoration of St. Maroun (observed Feb 10 in 2025) |
| February 14 | Friday | Rafik Hariri Memorial Day | National day of mourning for the late Prime Minister Hariri |
| March 25 | Tuesday | Feast of the Annunciation | Christian religious holiday |
| March 30 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr (first day) | Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan |
| April 18 | Friday | Good Friday | Christian holiday (Western & Eastern Churches) |
| April 20 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Christian observance (Western / Orthodox) |
| April 21 | Monday | Easter Monday (and Orthodox Easter Monday) | Public/bank closure for Christian communities |
| May 1 | Thursday | Labour Day | Workers’ Day, fixed holiday |
| May 4 | Sunday | Martyrs’ Day | Commemoration of Lebanese martyrs (observed historically) |
| May 25 | Sunday | Resistance & Liberation Day | Commemorates withdrawal of Israeli forces in 2000 |
| June 6 | Friday | Eid al-Adha (first day) | Islamic Feast of Sacrifice |
| June 26 | Thursday | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) | First day of Muharram |
| July 5 | Saturday | Ashura | Islamic commemoration on 10 Muharram |
| August 4 | Monday | Beirut Port Explosion Memorial Day | National observance in memory of the Beirut explosion |
| August 15 | Friday | Assumption Day | Christian feast observance |
| September 4 | Thursday | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid) | Islamic observance; date may vary |
| November 22 | Saturday | Independence Day | National day marking independence from France in 1943 |
| December 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day | Christian holiday (Western) |
Key Notes & Observations
• Banking sector holidays are published by Banque du Liban and include these dates.
• Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, Ashura, and Prophet’s Birthday) depend on the lunar calendar and may be adjusted slightly.
• Some holidays that fall on weekends may lead to “observed/in-lieu” closures for government or banks (e.g., St. Maroun’s Day in 2025 observed on February 10).
• Some holidays are specific to religious communities (e.g., Armenian Christmas, St. Maroun) but are recognized in national holiday lists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does Lebanon have in 2025?
Lebanon observes around 17–18 public holidays in 2025 across national, Christian, and Islamic observances.
Do Islamic holiday dates change each year?
Yes. Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and their Gregorian dates shift each year.
What is Resistance & Liberation Day?
Resistance & Liberation Day (May 25) marks Lebanon’s liberation from Israeli occupation in 2000.
Why is Beirut Port Explosion Memorial Day a holiday?
This was declared as a public observance in memory of the Beirut port explosion disaster. In 2025, August 4 is recognized as a memorial holiday.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Lebanon reflect a rich tapestry of religious traditions, national identity, and historical memory. Whether Christian, Muslim, or national in nature, these holidays chart Lebanon’s cultural and political journey throughout the year.
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