Hundreds of people gathered to watch the fireworks display welcoming the New Year 2012 in downtown Beirut, Lebanon

AP Photo/Bilal Hussein

This is how Christmas in Beirut feels like.

Yesterday night, December 9th, 2010,  the Prime Minister Saad Hariri , along with the Minister of Tourism Fadi Abboud and the General Director of Ministry of Tourism Nada Sardouk and many Lebanese people and tourists joined all in the celebration of lighting up the giant Christmas tree in Downtown Beirut.

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Many people and children gathered at the venue amid fireworks and the amazingly decorated Christmas tree in Beirut.

Besides the giant Christmas tree in downtown, there are over 120 Christmas trees spread in Downtown Beirut.

Stores in Beirut Souks will take part in the competition of designing the most beautiful storefront and the most beautiful Christmas display in their vitrines.

Solidere is organizing Christmas ceremonies during the whole holiday season in downtown Beirut. Children can take pictures with Santa Clause and participate in the different Christmas workshops and enjoy the Christmas festive carols, and Christmas songs.

Miss Lebanon Rahaf Abdallah participated in the Christmas parade that took place in the streets of Beirut.

Christmas Parade in Beirut Souks.

The Christmas Parade started at Weygand Street – Patriarch Howayek Street – Mir Majid Erslan Avenue – Allenby Street – Fakhry Bey Street – and ending at Trablos Street in Beirut Souks where the big Christmas tree was illuminated