Lebanon ranks first in the Arab world in public holidays

Lebanon ranks first in the Arab world in the number of official public holidays, a distinction directly tied to the country’s religious diversity. Unlike most countries in the region, Lebanon’s public calendar formally recognizes religious occasions across multiple sects and denominations. Muslim and Christian holidays are both observed at the national level, and in some cases, differences exist even within the same faith tradition.

A calendar that mirrors the country

Lebanon celebrates a total of 22 holidays, followed by Egypt at 17. Christmas, for instance, is celebrated on December 25 by Western churches and on January 7 by many Eastern Orthodox communities. Good Friday and Easter may also fall on different dates depending on the ecclesiastical calendar being followed. Both sets of dates are recognized. The same applies to major Islamic holidays, including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura, and the Prophet’s Birthday.

The result is a public calendar that reflects Lebanon’s confessional structure. The state does not adopt a single religious framework but instead integrates multiple ones into its official schedule. This is a direct outcome of Lebanon’s sectarian system, where religious communities are institutionally recognized and politically represented. Public holidays, in that sense, are embedded in the country’s power-sharing model.

More than time off

At a cultural level, the impact is visible. Lebanese citizens grow up aware of one another’s religious occasions because they are marked nationally. Workplaces, schools, and government offices close for a range of celebrations that extend beyond any single community. The calendar reflects social reality: a country composed of multiple religious traditions cannot operate on a singular sacred timeline.

A cultural record

Lebanon’s holiday record is therefore less about leisure and more about structure. It illustrates how religious plurality is built into the state’s administrative framework. In a region where many national calendars are religiously uniform, Lebanon’s stands out, as a formal acknowledgment of its diversity.