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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.

Adloyada Purim Parades

The Adloyada Parades

These parades are by far the most celebrated events in Israel for the Purim holiday as well as the most historic. The first parade took place in Tel Aviv in 1912 and from that point on have been a staple of the Purim holiday in Israel.

The Amaraic phrase that gave birth to the name Adloyada is “Ad Delo Yada” roughly translated as “until no one longer knows.” Traditionally you must get so drunk on Purim that you can no longer tell the difference between the names Haman and Mordecai. These names look completely different in the Megillah so you have got to be pretty wasted.

The Adloyada parades not only consist of people but some fairly elaborate floats. In the past, these floats paid homage to the history and culture of Israel. Some designs included giant Ben Gurion heads reading Israel’s declaration of independence or the twelve tribes of Israel.

Today, the floats reflect a more modern touch of Israeli culture. The criteria are outlandish, colorful, and loud. DJs and musicians from across the nation come to spin their records and blast their horns from atop the floats. The overarching theme is diversity and difference, which can be seen in each and every float and every Purim costume.

Purim Zombie-Walk in Tel Aviv

Purim Zombie-Walk

The Annual Zombie-Walk in Tel Aviv was created to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim. During this holiday, many have the custom to dress up in costume and take part in marches, feasts, and parades. While many parades have a more general costume requirement, this parade encourages all its participants to dress as zombies!

In previous years, nearly 4,000 zombie participants paraded down the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel for the zombie-walk. The walk is organized entirely by volunteers and is open to all that wish to participate, so it is encouraged to bring as many friends and family members as you wish. They say that the more bloody and nasty your zombie costume is, the better! This year, the walk will take place March 18.

Dirshu World Siyum

Millions of dafim, millions of tests, endless hours of ameilus and dedication, will all culminate at the World Siyumim held in 7 locations across the globe. Throughout the limud of shas over 25,000 lomdim immersed themselves in the world of gemara with the Dirshu system of accountability, to ensure that they truly retain the knowledge they acquire. Gedolei Yisroel, Rabbonim, family members of the Dirshu lomed and yidden from all walks of life will join in an uplifting celebration of Ameilus B’Torah. Be in the moment, be inspired forever.

Dirshu is an Orthodox Jewish international organization whose goal is to strengthen and encourage Torah study. Founded in 1997, the organization produces study cycles, sponsors shiurim (Torah lectures), furnishes and grades tests, and offers financial incentives to individuals and groups to learn and master Talmud, Halakha, and Mussar texts. It has also published new editions of traditional Jewish texts, and sponsored major gatherings to celebrate the completion of its study cycles. As of 2018, more than 150,000 people have participated in its programs, which have spread to 26 countries on five continents.

Participation in the siyumim (celebrations of completion) of the various programs is on the rise around the globe. In 2012, Dirshu held a small Siyum HaShas in New York. In 2020, the organization planned 11 separate Siyum HaShas events. These include three events for a total of 20,000 attendees in the U.S., two events for 15,000 in Israel (Jerusalem and Tel Aviv), two events for 5,000 in Manchester, England; and siyumim in Paris, France; Cape Town, South Africa; Minsk, Belarus; and Pinsk, Belarus, which attracted thousands more.

2022 Live Stream from Israel

2022 Live Stream from Paris

2020 Live Stream from the USA

2020 Live Stream from Manchester

Izmir Sephardic Culture Festival

Celebrating the cultural legacy of the city of Izmir and the Sephardic community, which since the 16th century has been an important component of the ethnic mosaic of today’s Konak district area. There will be interesting tours, talks, film screenings, concerts and more during the festival.

Eilat Food Festival

The festival affords visitors the opportunity to taste dozens of dishes, including sandwiches and desserts, as well as alcoholic drinks. All the food carts are located in the same area, so visitors can easily test out restaurant after restaurant to see what local eateries have to offer. For three consecutive nights, visitors can taste dishes from well-known Eilat restaurants, chef’s restaurants, and fast food places, against the enthralling beauty of the Gulf of Eilat and the Red Sea. The carts feature all types of dishes – meat, fish, sandwiches, and pizzas – including decadent desserts, boutique beers, cocktails, and special chef’s dishes.

Between bites, visitors may enjoy the many musical performances by some of Israel’s leading artists, including afternoon shows by pop stars beloved by Israeli kids to live performances for adults at night. The performances are free of charge and the dishes offered at the food carts are generally sold at low prices.

Visitors to the Eilat Food Festival can also enjoy everything else the city has to offer during their stay. During the day, the beaches are an obvious option. And if you need a fix of adrenalin, several extreme water sports are available all along the Red Sea shore. Within the city, you can shop for virtually anything without paying VAT as well as enjoy attractions suitable to the entire family. And don’t forget to leave room in your tummy for the evening meal!

The official date for next year’s event will be announced on the event’s website.

Ha’ochel Ha’kafri Festival

Just a short drive from the center of the country, this rural festival takes place in an area abundant with beautiful views and nature- Mate Yehuda. This exceptional festival has a different vibe from typical food fairs, as local cooks open their homes and hearts to serve traditional dishes from many cultures. The personal and unique adventure of eating at a host family’s home, makes the experience that much more authentic and enjoyable, and is something unobtainable in any store or restaurant. This area of the country has a diverse population, which is reflected in this fascinating and flavorful culinary event.

EAT Tel Aviv Festival

Eat Tel Aviv is the only food festival that brings together all of the city’s best chefs to one place, with the most amazing dishes in the country. For six days, Charles Clore Park is transformed into a festive market venue with live music, celebrity chefs, colorful food trucks, and innovative food stands. Participating in the festival are some of the best restaurants in Tel Aviv (including Manta Ray, Dixie, Captain Carrie and more) and some of the finest and most famous chefs in Israel chefs (Haim Cohen, Shaul Ben Aderet, Yonatan Roshfeld, David Frenkel, Ronen Skinzis and more). You can expect tastings and delicious street food to try and take away.

Date is subject to change. Please see the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Midburn Festival

Midburn is a 5-day event which takes place annually in the Negev desert near Sde Boker. This event is heavily inspired by the famous “Burning Man” festival and is considered to be the regional equivalent. As such the event features incredible art and statue displays which are burned on the final night. While the event has parties it is not considered a music festival, rather encompasses themes such as spirituality, creativity, self-expression, community and much much more.

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.

Event Tag: Festivals