Lebanon aims for Guinness World Record with 7-day nonstop Christmas carol concert

• A school in Kfardebian will attempt a 170-hour nonstop Christmas carol marathon.
• Guinness World Records will monitor the event with strict rules.
• Organisers must maintain an audience of at least 12 people at all times.

Lebanon is preparing for a holiday event unlike any it has seen before, as the Sacred Hearts School in Kfardebian gears up for a marathon Christmas recital that will run for an extraordinary 170 hours straight.

Scheduled from December 16 to 23, the performance seeks to break the Guinness World Record for the longest Christmas carol concert ever held.

The initiative is led by Sandra Akiki and held under the patronage of His Beatitude Patriarch Bechara Boutros Raï. The week-long recital will operate without interruption, continuing day and night with a steady rotation of choirs, soloists, musicians, and volunteers eager to sing. Organizers say there will be no speeches or readings, only pure, continuous Christmas hymns.

Audience participation is also essential. For Guinness World Records to officially validate the attempt, at least 12 attendees must be present at all times. The public is invited to come and go freely, whether in the early morning hours or late at night.

Guinness will monitor the record attempt in real time, enforcing strict standards. Each song must last a minimum of two minutes, transitions may not exceed 20 seconds, and performers will follow a meticulously arranged timetable to ensure the music never stops throughout the entire 170-hour period.

Beyond the quest for a world title, organizers hope the recital sends a broader message. At a moment when Lebanon continues to face economic and social difficulties, they say a week of unbroken music is meant to symbolize resilience, unity, and the enduring warmth of the holiday season.

Among the participating groups are several of the country’s most recognized choirs, including the Sancta Maria Choir, Viva Maria Choir, the Fayha National Choir of Lebanon, and others who have pledged their voices to the ambitious challenge.