ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd fˈɪfti sˈɪks, ðə fˈɜːst fˈɛstɪvəl wʌz hˈɛld æt ðə sˈɪɹiə mˈɑːsk, bɪɡˈɪnɪŋ æt fˈaɪv pˈiː.ˈɛm. ˈiːtʃ dˈeɪ ˌɔn sˈæɾɚdˌeɪ ænd sˈʌndeɪ, dʒˈuːn nˈaɪn ænd tˈɛn.
In 1956, the first festival was held at the Syria Mosque, beginning at 5 p.m. each day on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10.