Al Bustan International Festival returns with “Family & Friends”- 2026

The Al Bustan International Festival, Lebanon’s long-running music and performing arts festival, is back for 2026 with its 32nd edition from 24 February to 22 March 2026, under the theme “Family & Friends.” The dates and programming were announced ahead of the season, with official promotion and press briefings confirming the schedule and lineup.

Founded in 1994 by Myrna Bustani as an annual winter season of concerts and performances, the festival takes place over five weeks in February and March and is one of Lebanon’s most prestigious cultural celebrations. It has a long tradition of combining classical music, chamber works, opera, orchestral concerts, and special residencies, attracting international artists and local ensembles alike.

The 2026 program features around twenty live performances across venues in Beit Mery, with the historic Emile Bustani Auditorium as the main stage and additional events and side programming in cultural spaces around Beirut. Performances include opening concerts, chamber recitals, orchestral works, opera, and family-friendly repertoire designed to appeal to both seasoned concertgoers and broader audiences.

Celebrated for its role in Lebanon’s cultural calendar, the festival also functions as an attraction for visitors during the winter travel season, offering world-class music in intimate settings. Tickets are available at selected points of sale and online in advance through the festival’s official channels.

Why it matters:

After more than three decades, Al Bustan remains a key platform in Lebanon’s cultural and artistic landscape, bringing together international talent and local musicians, celebrating heritage and collaboration under a unifying theme each year, and in 2026 that theme is centered on connection, shared experience, and community through music.