Visiting Israel: Festivals

Israel can be a difficult country to navigate due to all the holidays and holy days that are observed throughout the year. With the various religions and customs that are observed in the country, it can oftentimes seem as if businesses are closed more than they are open. To make things even more confusing, Israel officially uses two separate calendars, the Jewish calendar and the Gregorian calendar. The Julian calendar and the Muslim calendar are also unofficially used which can make figuring when holidays are being observed somewhat confusing. So, if you do get confused, just ask a local to help you out and you should be okay.

Several notable festivals are held during the summer months in Israel that you might want to participate in if you have the chance. The Jerusalem International Film Festival takes place every July in Jerusalem. Films from around the world are shown at the Cinematheque and it has becoming quite the prestigious event. The Jerusalem Arts and Crafts Festival is held near the western wall in the Sultan’s Pool each summer. Here you will find both Israeli handicrafts and other international finds.

If you are visiting the resort town of Eilat on the Red Sea, you might want to take part in the International Jazz Festival. This popular event lasts a week in August and attracts an international crowd of music lovers. In the Galilee region around November you might also find an Olive Festival being held. These festivals are held throughout the area and promote the ancient traditions of the olive harvest. You’ll find traditional music, food, dance, and crafts at these fun and interesting events.