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Christmas and Hanukkah in Israel

 

Double Holiday, Double the Fun

Christmas in Nazareth 

It is not every year that Hanukkah and Christmas coincide so perfectly, so what better time to visit Israel and enjoy both Festivals of Lights? Be it the traditional Christmas mass or a lighting of the menorah, a Christmas parade or some quirky fun Maccabee-style, you are in for a treat. Here is a list of just a few events on offer.



Hanukkah in Israel

The Jewish 8-day celebration commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple is a family holiday, and many events are geared for families with children. The most famous is the Festigal, an annual song and dance show that began as a song contest but gradually changed to include performances by well-known Israeli singers and actors. This year’s theme will be Story of Festigal.

Smaller children will undoubtedly enjoy Magical Trol, Motek Shel Festival, another lavish and successful show set to pay tribute to the famous composer and Israel Prize laureate Nurit Hirsh. There are a dozen more shows and other spectacles to choose from.

Hanukkah in Israel

The Ta’am Kinneret Festival (Taste of the Sea of Galilee) returns, with this year’s theme highlighting the Banana. Spread over ten days, the festival includes a variety of events for adults and children alike: a Banana Run amid banana groves, a colorful farmers’ market, a Cuban feast featuring bananas at the Marinado restaurant next to Ein Gev, a Zumba dance party at the Boom bar in Kibbutz Deganya Bet, a banana-doughnut workshop at the Agadat Lechem bakery, horse-drawn carriage rides in the area and much more.

The annual Tzlilim Bamidbar (Desert Sounds) festival will be held in Sde Boker, with a varied program featuring some of Israel’s best musicians, truly surprising musical collaborations and special concerts for the little ones. Some events are free of charge.

Christmas in Israel

There is no shortage of Christmas markets, concerts and other events in Jerusalem, Nazareth, Haifa and Jaffa, for those who wish to embrace the holiday spirit. The most famous event is of course the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (it is best to join a guided tour), but you can certainly enjoy the special vibe of the holiday season also just walking through the streets of Jerusalem’s Old City.

Haifa

The Jerusalem International YMCA hosts a variety of events, including a Christmas Carols Concert, and you can also enjoy a lavish Christmas Eve dinner with a special set menu (or a Christmas day brunch) at the American Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem.

Nazareth holds a Christmas Market and street fair, with traditional foods, arts and crafts. As usual, the market will take place at Mary’s Well Square, very close to the famous Basilica of the Annunciation, but the action doesn’t kicks off until the early evening hours. Also in Nazareth, don’t miss the traditional 30,000-strong Christmas Eve Parade making its way through the city’s main street.

Jaffa (Yafo) is set to host its second Winter Festival, with a Christmas Market held at the Jaffa Port, where you can taste traditional holiday fare and wines from around the world, shop for Christmas decorations, take selfies by the giant fir tree, and play in “snow” shot out by canons.

And if you venture north to Haifa, the city best known for coexistence among all faiths will play host to its annual Holiday of Holidays Festival. The event takes place on consecutive weekends throughout December, mainly in the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood and the German Colony area, with traditional foodstuffs, an antiques and crafts fair, liturgical music concerts, street performers, children’s theatre and exhibitions all promoting tolerance, mutual respect and a lot of holiday cheer.


+ Practical Information

Festigal: Throughout Hanukkah, several shows a day at the Tel Aviv Convention Center and the Conch Arena in Be’er Sheva. Ticket prices: Starting from 139 NIS

Motek Shel Festival: Ashkelon, Be’er Sheva, Holon, Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Ticket Prices: Starting from 139 NIS

Ta’am Kinneret Festival: Dec 21-23. For more, see http://www.kinneret.info/, or call 04-6752727.

Tzlilim Bamidbar: Dec 13-16. For more, see http://www.tzlilimbamidbar.co.il, or call 08-6564115. Ticket prices: Free to 40-50 NIS.

Christmas Eve Midnight Mass: A 2 day Christmas tour of Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Ein Karem, Guided tour, 290 USD.

YMCA Christmas Carols: December 24 at 8pm. Ticket prices: 50 NIS.

Christmas at the American Colony Hotel: 400 NIS (includes welcome drink), call 02-627-9777.

Christmas Parade in Nazareth: It starts at 3:30pm, culminating at 5:30pm with the annual fireworks display lighting up the sky.

Winter Festival and Christmas Market in Jaffa: Jaffa Port, Dec 15 through Jan 8.

Holiday of Holidays Festival: Throughout December, different venues in Haifa. For more, see http://haifahag.com/, or call 04-8142501.

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Events in Israel