The Holy Land

Hebrew Book Week Jerusalem

Hebrew Book Week: A Celebration of Literary Heritage Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Hebrew literature by attending the annual Hebrew Book Week held in the heart of Jerusalem. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on Hebrew books, offering a delightful literary feast that traces back to its inception in the 1920s. Established to promote and celebrate Hebrew literature, the festival has grown over the decades, becoming a significant cultural milestone. It features a wide array of Hebrew novels, poetry, and non-fiction works, and the event showcases the vibrancy and diversity of Jewish cultural heritage through storytelling. Typically held at the iconic Safra Square, Hebrew Book Week is a lively festival where bibliophiles, authors, publishers, and enthusiastic readers gather in a shared love for Hebrew literature. Not limited to just browsing books, visitors can engage in thought-provoking discussions, attend book signings, and participate in various literary activities that elevate the cultural experience. This week-long celebration invites people of all ages and backgrounds to delve into the rich tapestry of stories that have shaped, and continue to influence, the Jewish narrative. As part of the tradition, the event captures the essence of Jewish heritage and storytelling, welcoming an ever-growing community to partake in this cultural festivity.

Jerusalem Jazz Festival

The Jerusalem Jazz Festival features a rich range of original productions, premieres, one-off musical collaborations, surprising mini shows, improvisations, and conversations with musicians, giving a new perspective to the artworks displayed throughout the museum. The artistic program reflects the variety of styles that comprise the contemporary jazz world, from world music, through hip hop, rock, groove, to supersonic jazz, and free jazz, classical chamber music, big band arrangements and more. The original productions were inspired by the artworks in the museum while other productions adapted the show in response to this creative space. This has led to a three-way dialogue between music, art, and cultural consumers. This year, the festival focuses on original Israeli music from a wide range of styles. The extraordinary encounter between music and art, the festival’s inspiring hallmark from day one, continues to be a central pillar of the artistic program, with several different shows taking place throughout the museum’s magical sculpture garden every evening. The 7th Jerusalem Jazz Festival, created by the Israel Festival in partnership with Israel Museum, and under the artistic direction of international trumpeter Avishai Cohen, will take place alongside the Israel Festival on 22-24.6.21, in the magical Sculpture Garden of the Israel Museum.

Tel Aviv Vegan Festival

Israel has been lauded as the most vegan nation on earth, winning accolades as a top tourism destination for vegans. The Tel Aviv Vegan Festival is the largest vegan festival in the world. Tel Aviv, consistently rated as one of the best cities for vegans and full of yummy vegan restaurants, brings paradise to vegans for two days. Vegans can enjoy over 100 stalls from the most delicious vegan restaurants and stores throughout Israel. Each year, the municipality of Tel Aviv, expects no less than 50,000 people to attend the event who indulge in a huge variety of vegan dishes and products.

White Night in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv’s White Night celebration is one of the biggest events of the year, with all night parties; and when the shop owners and restaurants literally don’t close. Stores that usually close at 10pm will be open till 6am and beer will be drunk and music will be heard in different public locations throughout the city. Even some museums and galleries stay open all night, so there are hundreds of things to do!  

Karmiel Dance Festival

The Dancing Festival of Karmiel is an annual Summer fiesta filled with incessant dancing over the period of three days and nights. Five hundreds dancers from all over the country and the world perform in dozens of shows in front of thousands of visitors. The festival includes more than 80 shows in multiple venues and contains various dancing styles such as classical, modern, jazz, hip-hop, ethnic, and more. The festival starts with a colorful parade of 3,000 dancers accompanied by authentic orchestras. There are a variety of competitions that take place throughout the festival based on choreography, popular dancing, and particular dance sytles such as Jazz. People of all ages from all over are invited to join in this joyous festival and dance away!

Jerusalem Film Festival

The Festival showcases the best films from around the world from the past year and is an esteemed platform for Israeli cinema, exposing local film work to leading professionals from around the world and granting generous prizes for Israeli cinema.   https://www.itraveljerusalem.com/evt/jewish-film-festival/

Jerusalem Food Truck Festival

The Jerusalem Food Truck Festival will be held for the sixth time, with top chefs from the leading restaurants in the city cooking in food trucks every evening in Ben Hinnom Valley Park. Among the trucks will be those of Angelica, Jacko Street, Luciana, Fringe, Rachel BaSdera, Hacanaanit, Iron Bar, Shmaltz,, Basher, Black Iron, Fiori, Jacko Sun, and more. In addition, there will be live music by leading bands and DJs. Come and enjoy a great variety of music and food near the Old city where various Jerusalem chefs offer delicious food from within their trucks and at special prices.

Tel Aviv Dance Festival at the Suzanne Dellal Centre

The Tel Aviv Dance Festival at the Suzanne Dellal Centre in Tel Aviv is a vibrant celebration of contemporary dance that captivates audiences from around the world. Set against the backdrop of the city's artistic charm, this annual festival showcases a diverse array of cutting-edge performances by both renowned and emerging choreographers, offering a fusion of creativity, innovation, and raw talent. From powerful and emotive storytelling to mesmerizing displays of movement and expression, the festival creates an immersive experience that leaves spectators in awe. As dancers take the stage in the state-of-the-art facilities of the Suzanne Dellal Centre, the festival becomes a melting pot of cultures and artistry, truly reflecting Tel Aviv's position as a global hub for artistic brilliance. For more World Jewish Travel summer festival listings in Israel and around the world click here.

Israeli Animation Festival

Asif, the main annual event of Israeli Animation, was founded by ASIFA Israel in 2000, and is produced by Animix Festival, in collaboration with the Israeli animation community. Asif aims to celebrate the crop of creative works made in the past year, and promote the art of animation in Israel, with the collection, sorting, documentation and Israeli animated films screening . Asif features selected films and an awards ceremony. Image attribution: iIraeli Animation Festival Animix via TouristIsrael

Annual Tisha B'Av Walk

The annual Tisha Be'av walk, organized by the Women in Green organization, in held each year in Jerusalem and unites thousands of people from around the country. The walk typically begins at Independence Park with a reading of Megilat Eicha, which is traditionally read on Tisha Be'av every year. Following this, the walking route leads participants to several notable historic sites along the way until ending near the Lion's Gate in the Old City. Historian Aryeh Klein has led the walk for many years, and tells several stories of the unique history of Jerusalem along the way which include anecdotes from the Roman era and more recent stories from the Six Day War. Every year, the walk concludes with the singing of "Hatikva," Israel's national anthem, and "Ani Ma'amin," before its participants pray at the Western Wall. The walk is the continuation of the ancient Jewish tradition that ceased during the British Mandate period, but was renewed in the '90s by Women in Green.

Hutzot Hayotzer Fair

Hutzot Hayotzer, is an arts and crafts lane in Jerusalem, Israel, located west of the Old City walls. Its name means "the potter's section" (compound) or "the potter's hedge" in Hebrew and Aramaic.Since 1976, Hutzot Hayotzer and the Sultan's Pool area have been the site of the annual International Arts and Crafts Fair or Festival, a 12-day event in August featuring the work of local and international artists. There are also open-air concerts, workshops for children and food booths. Many of Israel's leading pop and rock stars have performed at Hutzot Hayotzer. During the festival, the artist studios along the lane stay open late and the artists offer public demonstrations of their work.

Jerusalem Beer Festival

The Jerusalem Beer Festival is the largest and most diverse festival in the country. Every year at the festival, you can find hundreds of brands of beer from Israel and the world, live performances by the leading artists in Israel, quality food stalls that fit right next to the beer, accessory stalls, and other attractions!  

Selichot at the Kotel

Selichot communal prayers are for Divine forgiveness, said during the High Holiday season or on Jewish fast days. Due to the tremendous interest in participating in the central selichot services, the decision was made this year to hold fourteen events accompanied by a cantor and amplification in order to spread the crowds and make it possible for all who wish to participate to come. The selichot services will be broadcast live on the Foundation website for those who are not able to come to the Western Wall but who wish to participate in these moving services. The Western Heritage Foundation: The recitation of selichot at the Western Wall Plaza unites the Jewish nation. All the various streams stand together pouring out their souls and accepting the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven during these important days of atonement, calling out together – “O Master of Forgiveness, Examiner of Hearts, we have sinned before You, have mercy upon us.” We call upon the public to come say selichot earlier in the month, and not only in the last days of selichot, in order to spread the crowds and maintain the health and safety of all who come to the Western Wall. http://allaboutjerusalem.com/event/night-spectacular-and-selichot-old-city

Haifa Wine Festival

The Haifa Wine Festival is the largest wine festival to take place in the north, featuring wine, champagne tastings, food stalls offering cheese and deli selections, as well as live music. The event will showcase some 30 local winemakers and serves to promote the local community and wine culture in northern Israel.

Kaparot at Machane Yehuda

Kaparot consists of carefully passing a chicken over one’s head three times while reciting the appropriate text. The chicken is then slaughtered in a humane fashion in accordance with the laws of kashrut. The chicken itself is discreetly donated to a charitable cause, such as a yeshiva or orphanage, where it is eaten just as any other chicken. Alternatively, the chicken is sold and its value donated. https://www.gojerusalem.com/events/250/Shuk-Kaparot/

InDnegev Festival

InDnegev is a 3-day long music and art festival which takes place annually in the Negev desert. The festival is known for giving a platform and stage for up and coming independent Israeli artists, so much so its earned the nickname IndieNegev. The festival was started in 2007 and has been going strong ever since. If you're a fan of indie art and music you don't want to miss this festival, expected to take place in Mitzpe Gvulot in the Negev.

Israel Storytelling Festival

Since 1993, Givatayim holds one of the most attractive festivals – Israel Storytelling Festival. The festival was established and is managed by the writer and theater person Yossi Alfi. Every year in the intermediate days between the first and last days of Sukkot (Hol Hamoed), Yossi gathers the best story tellers to share their personal stories with the audience. In a continuity of meetings during seven days, numerous stories driven from the social and cultural day to day life in Israel are told.

Abu Gosh Music Festival

The Abu-Gosh Festival is the leading and most important festival in the Israeli vocal music scene. The Festival has existed in its present layout since 1992, and it takes place twice a year – on Sukkot and Shavuot – lasting between three to five days each time. The Festival’s concerts are performed in two churches: the Crusader-Benedictine Church, built in the 12th century, situated in the heart of the village; and the Kiryat Ye’arim Church, situated at the top of the hill, overlooking Abu-Gosh. Twice a year, the village of Abu Gosh becomes a paradise for vocal music lovers, who come in their thousands from all over the country and turn Abu Gosh and its churches into a colorful vocal locale of festivities.

Tamar Festival

The annual Tamar Festival takes place at Masada and the Dead Sea and features some of Israel’s most prominent musicians and artists. It originated in 2000 to promote Israeli music as well as the beautiful desert landscapes. This multi-day festival includes concerts from sunrise to sunset and tickets are available online months in advance.

Acre International Fringe Theatre Festival

The Acre Festival of Alternative Israeli Theatre, also known as the Acre Fringe Theatre Festival or Israel Fringe Theatre Festival, is a four-day performing arts festival held annually in the city of Acre, Israel during the Intermediate Days of the Sukkot holiday in early autumn. The Festival was Founded in 1980, and it features a competition for original plays that premier during the festival, along with local and foreign theatre productions, street theatre and open-air performances. There are also concerts, arts and crafts workshops, and lectures. The majority of the Festival's plays come from outside the mainstream of establishment Israeli theatre, some having avantgarde characteristics and subjects giving outlet to their creators' personal statements. Some combine media and genres such as pantomime, clowning, video, dance, and performance art rarely seen in the conventional theatre. Many are staged in historic venues within the Old City of Acre, such as its Crusader-era citadel and knights' halls that have undergone conservation. The Festival has been produced by the Municipality of Acre since the year 2000. It is supported by the Israel Ministry of Culture, the Old Acre Development Company and overseas philanthropic foundations. The Acre Festival has become a symbol of coexistence between the city's Jewish and Arab inhabitants. Each year's program features works by Arab playwrights and troupes along with performances by music ensembles. Performance projects led by theatre professionals provide training for local Arab and Jewish teens, including immigrant youth. The Festival has been postponed and scaled down twice due to interethnic disturbances: during the October 2000 events of the Second Intifada, and in 2008 due to the Yom Kippur riots, after which the Festival was held during the Hanukkah holiday week.

Tel Aviv Shabbat Project

The Shabbat Project is an international movement that unites all Jews to keep one Shabbat together. The Tel Aviv branch is powered by White City Shabbat.

Jerusalem International Oud Festival

Experience the Musical Magic of the Jerusalem International Oud Festival Immerse yourself in the enchanting tunes of the Jerusalem International Oud Festival, an annual celebration that honors the rich musical traditions of the Middle Eastern oud. Established in 2000, this festival has become a beloved event in the heart of Jerusalem, drawing music enthusiasts from around the globe. Held at the picturesque Jerusalem Theater and various cultural venues across the city, the festival showcases an eclectic mix of sounds from diverse cultures and traditions. The oud, a pear-shaped stringed instrument with deep roots in Jewish, Arab, and Mediterranean melodies, sets the stage for a unique musical journey. The festival’s lineup includes performances by both renowned oud virtuosos and emerging artists, reflecting a blend of traditional tunes and contemporary experiments. As the oud's resonant melodies fill the air, festival attendees are invited to dress in comfortable attire, allowing them to dance and participate fully in the lively atmosphere. This event goes beyond just music, it is a celebration of cultural unity and heritage. By highlighting the historical significance of the oud in Jewish music, the festival fosters a sense of communal pride and global connection. Participants range from local Jerusalemites to international visitors, all gathered to celebrate the profound musical legacy and explore its continuing evolution. Join this remarkable celebration, a vibrant homage to the instrument that speaks across cultures and generations.

Chayei Sarah Shabbat in Hebron

An estimated 40,000-50,000 Jews from around the world converged on the city of Hebron and its adjacent sister city, Kiryat Arba, over Shabbat in honor of Sarah, the biblical matriarch of the Jewish people.

Christmas Market in Nazareth

Celebrating Christmas in Nazareth is an amazing experience as the city is believed to be the town where Jesus grew up. The city comes to life during the holiday as the residents throw street festivals, have Christmas church services, and decorate their Christmas trees. Dates for Christmas Events: December 6: Lighting of the Christmas tree December 11: Christmas Market at Mary's Well Square December 24: The Christmas Parade at Mary's Well Square (15:00) December 24: Fireworks (17:30) December 24: Christmas Eve Mass at Basilica of the Annunciation (19:00) For more information about Christmas events in Israel, read Christmas in Bethlehem, Christmas in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and Christmas in Jerusalem. For more information about Christmas in Israel, read our blog: Christmas in Israel: Decking the Halls of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jaffa, and Nazareth.

Tzom Tammuz

The fast of the 17th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, known as Shivah Asar B’Tammuz, is the start of a three-week mourning period for the destruction of Jerusalem and the two Holy Temples.

Tisha B'av

Tisha B'Av is an annual fast day in Judaism, on which a number of disasters in Jewish history occurred, primarily the destruction of both Solomon's Temple by the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the Second Temple by the Roman Empire in Jerusalem. Tisha B'Av is regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar and it is thus believed to be a day which is destined for tragedy. Tisha B'Av falls in July or August in the Gregorian calendar. The observance of the day includes five prohibitions, most notable of which is a 25-hour fast. The Book of Lamentations, which mourns the destruction of Jerusalem is read in the synagogue, followed by the recitation of kinnot, liturgical dirges that lament the loss of the Temples and Jerusalem. As the day has become associated with remembrance of other major calamities which have befallen the Jewish people, some kinnot also recall events such as the murder of the Ten Martyrs by the Romans, massacres in numerous medieval Jewish communities during the Crusades, and the Holocaust.

Tu B'Av

Tu B'Av (the 15th of Av) is undoubtedly a most mysterious day. A search of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) reveals no observances or customs for this date, except for the instruction that the tachanun (confession of sins) and similar portions should be omitted from the daily prayers, and that one should increase one’s study of Torah, since the nights are growing longer, and “the night was created for study.” The Talmud tells us that many years ago the “daughters of Jerusalem would go dance in the vineyards” on the 15th of Av, and “whoever did not have a wife would go there” to find himself a bride.

Fast of Gedaliah

The Fast of Gedaliah is a day set aside to commemorate the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed official charged with administering the Jewish population remaining in Judah following the destruction of the Temple and exile in 586 B.C.E. It is observed on the third of Tishrei (the day after Rosh Hashanah ) with a fast from sunrise to sundown, and like on other fast days, the recital of special prayers (“Anenu”) and the reading of selected biblical readings (Exodus 32:14; 34:1-10).

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is the Jewish day of communal and personal atonement for sins committed during the past year. Fasting is one of the central components of the Yom Kippur holiday. Prayer is the other central component of the holiday. The Kol Nidrei service kicks off the holiday, and Neila comes at the very end, bookending the holy day with solemn prayer.

Jerusalem Day of Prayer for All Nations

The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem is a prayer meeting organized by Pentecostal evangelists Jack W. Hayford and Robert Stearns through their organization "Eagles Wings". They annually invite people around the world to pray for Jerusalem on the first Sunday of every October, close to the time of Yom Kippur. The first prayer meeting organized by this group occurred in 2004. Hayford and Stearns organize the primary meeting in Israel. According to a CBN interview with Stearns, he believes that prayer meetings are important to combat various dangers to the Judeo-Christian worldview, such as secular humanism and Radical Islam, and he believes that Christians are especially obligated to support the State of Israel. According to "Jerusalem Newswire" a small independent Christian publication, organizers of the 2006 event claimed that they had scheduled prayer meetings to be held in 150,000 churches around the world. The coordinators scheduled for prayer meetings to be organized in 169 nations. In 2004, 500 global Christian ministries representing 50 countries and 53,000 churches said prayers for peace in Jerusalem on the same day. The organization's goal in 2006 was to have over 100 million people in over 100 countries participate in prayer meetings. The prayer meeting in Jerusalem in 2006 was held inside the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem and was attended by "hundreds of Christian lovers of Israel gathered with Jewish friends." International denominations Assemblies of God, and Elim Fellowship took part in the 2006 prayer and support the annual prayers.

Sukkot

Sukkot is known as the “Festival of Tabernacles” and the “Feast of Booths.” It is one of Judaism’s three central pilgrimage festivals, along with Passover and Shavuot. It is tradition to build a sukkah, a temporary hut to dwell in during the holiday. It is also the custom to buy a lulav and etrog and shake them daily throughout the festival. For more information about the traditions, rituals and celebrations of Sukkot and the rest of the September Jewish Holidays check out our blog: https://worldjewishtravel.org/listing/from-rosh-hashanah-to-sukkot-bringing-in-the-jewish-new-year/

Simchat Torah

Simchat Torah, a celebration of the conclusion of one and the beginning of another annual cycle of readings from the Torah. Simchat Torah conveys a clear message about the centrality of Torah in Jewish life. It is both a source of Jewish identity and a precious gift from God. Simchat Torah is the day on which the whole community gathers to come into direct contact with the Torah and to express our joy in having received it.

Shemini Atzeret

Shemini Atzeret is mentioned in the Bible, but its exact function is unclear. In Second Temple times, it appears to have been a day devoted to the ritual cleansing of the altar in the Temple. With the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, this function of the day became obsolete. Although it marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel and, therefore includes the year’s first prayer for rain.

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, it’s celebrated as the head of the Jewish year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and a day of judgment and coronation of God as king. The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is blowing the shofar (ram’s horn) on both mornings of the holiday, which is normally done in synagogue as part of the day’s services but may be done elsewhere for those who cannot attend.

Diaspora Day

Welcome to Diaspora-Israel Day is a worldwide festival of Jewish Peoplehood on the 7th of Cheshvan! We invite you to celebrate your partnership in the wider Jewish world and to mark the deep bond between Jewish communities around the globe and between these communities and Israel – a bond that has lasted for thousands of years. For thousands of years Jews have lived around the world, scattered across five continents. The relationships among the Jews in each place where they settled, and between these places and the Land of Israel, underwent numerous and diverse changes over the generations. Throughout the centuries, a complex and rich dialogue has been maintained between all Jewish communities, creating a delicate and unique thread that binds Jews living in different parts of the world.  Diaspora Israel Day, which was initiated by project Domim-aLike - a joint program of the Israeli Reform movement and the Israeli government, is a holiday celebrating the ongoing connections between Jewish communities worldwide, and the continues sense of peoplehood among them. The festival cherishes thousands of years of united and full Jewish life in different locations around the world.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, which is Hebrew for “dedication,” is the Festival of Lights. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greek army, and the subsequent miracle of rededicating the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and restoring its menorah, or lamp. The miracle of Hanukkah is that only one vial of oil was found with just enough oil to illuminate the Temple lamp for one day, and yet it lasted for eight full days. Check out the following Hanukkah Lighting Events: New York, London, Campo del Ghetto, Hudson Valley