Thirty performers from Germany, Italy, Morocco and Lebanon donned rainbow-colored wigs and red plastic noses to put on a show, as frustrated drivers blasted their horns.
Some clowns walked on stilts as others danced, juggled, blew balloons and took pictures with the crowd that gathered to watch the show under pouring rain in mainly Muslim west Beirut.
Tuesday's performance, which fell on the second day of the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Adha and in the runup to Christmas, was the culmination of a week-long workshop in Beirut on street performances.
"It is meant to introduce street performances and comic relief as a way to deal with tense situations and conflict," said Tonnie Selwood Choeiri, one of the organizers.
"They were taught about the history of clowns and the role of madness in society," she said.
This holiday season sees Lebanon in recovery after three years of unrest, including a string of assassinations, a devastating war with Israel, a 15-week battle with rebel militancy, civil strife and a debilitating political crisis.
"They brought back some smiles and happiness to us," said Ibrahim, a 27-year-old passer-by. "They gave us a sense that the holidays are upon us."
Top Photo: Activists dressed as clowns pose with a Lebanese policeman during a parade on Hamra street in Beirut December 9, 2008. Reuters
Activists dressed as clowns block Hamra street as a woman photographs them during a parade in Beirut December 9, 2008. Reuters
A Muslim woman wears a clown's nose as she takes a picture of the activists during their clown parade on Hamra street in Beirut December 9, 2008. Reuters