I live on a moshav and can confirm that the celebrations are pretty darned unique, and just a little bit more than a good slice of cheesecake. There’s plenty of tractors doing some tricky maneuvers, folk dancing, kids singing, horses prancing, and some awesome kite flying once everything is over. Yep, it’s usually pretty windy come Shavuot time, which is always pretty useful when launching those kites…

Some of the kibbutzim and moshavs you can check out:

• Moshav Be’er Tuvia, in the south of Israel: Lots of activities spread over the weekend, including the annual Cow Beauty Pageant! Call 054-7780593 for more details. 
• Kibbutz Tzuba, a 15 minute drive from Jerusalem: Lots of Shavuot activities and shows between 12:00 and 16:00, with workshops for the kids and tractor drawn trailers for the kids to ride on. Call 02-5347952 for more details.
• Kibbutz Ein Shemer, just north of Hadera: Lots of good Shavuot things for the kids to do, including a tractor tour of the kibbutz. Call 04-6374327 for more details.
• Moshav Sarona, in the Lower Galilee: Free to enter, great show that starts at 17:30 and ends with some awesome kite-flying.

And here’s a taste of Shavuot on my moshav…

Click here to view the embedded video.

The pic was taken by judi333, a lady from Jerusalem with a very nice collection of shots from Israel.

Click to BIG.

The day itself comes immediately after the heart-tugging emotions felt through the previous 24 hours for Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day), as Israel remembers its fallen throughout its short history (though Israel has only been around since 1948 the list of fallen servicemen sadly grows ever longer). It might seem a little strange, celebrating immediately after you’ve been struggling to hold back the tears just hours earlier, but this is one of those special Israel moments, and it works. Would it work anywhere else in the world? Probably not.

So Independence Day turns those previous 24 hours of pain into a celebration of its existence, an existence based on the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel by Israel’s future first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion on 14 May 1948. This declaration came just hours before the official end of the British Mandate of Palestine, and while the state was recognized by many countries, Israel’s friendly Arab neighbors weren’t too keen on the idea, and declared war. The rest is, of course, history.

Official celebrations for Independence Day in Israel are usually centered in Jerusalem, and include an official Independence Eve shindig on Mount Herzl, which is usually shown live on Israeli TV. Other events on Independence Day Eve are everywhere, and there are some great parties to watch out for, especially in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Keep an eye out on our site or Facebook page as we usually try and give a quick rundown of the best places to be.

The day itself is full of other official events, but what will probably interest most Israelis is the mangal celebrations – the barbeque (mangal is Hebrew for grill)! Holidays in Israel are typically centered around food, and Independence Day is no exception.

And what about the other citizens of Israel – do they join in the Independence Day celebrations?

Well, some Arab citizens celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut but many refer to it as al-Nakba (the catastrophe), a tragic day in their history. Typically the Druze, Bedouin and Circassians, who often serve in the Israeli army, do celebrate Independence Day. What might seem surprising is the ultra-religious Jews, who join their Arab brethren in mourning, and often wear ashes and sackcloth, and have even been spotted burning Israeli flags…

If you do get caught up in some wild Independence Day celebrations, don’t forget to wish Israel a Happy Birthday!

With kids off from school and kindergarten for something like 3 weeks, and with many locals taking time off from work, Pessach can be quite the extended holiday! In order to make the most of your time during Pessach, we’ve gathered ten of the very best things to see and do…and one place to avoid like the plague (well, you did ask!)…

Related: Things to do in Christian Holy Week, April 1-7!

1. Ahava Dead Sea Music Festival

The 16th Ahava Dead Sea Music Festival is the rock festival to head for over Pessach if you’re into your Israeli bands. Taking place between the 7-11 April in the Dead Sea area, some of the bands you can expect to see include: Mashina, Avitar Banai, Yehuda Poliker, Shalom Hanoch and Bary Sakharov. For more info about tickets, call *8965 or 03-6045000, or try the site: www.TKTS.co.il

2. Bird Festival, Yaffo Port

Running for two days only, from the 8-9th April (10:00 to 18:00), this great little FREE festival (taking place in warehouse 2 in the port) is great for the kids, with creative corners, stories and lots of stalls. There is also an exhibition of photos of Tel Aviv birds taken by both old and young.

3. Design Week in Holon

Holon’s amazing Design Museum has become a magnet for top international design festivals ever since its door opened a couple of years ago. From 8-11 April, the Museum will welcome 15 design editors from around the globe who will attempt to gauge what Israeli design is all about, plus there is also the Designers Plus 10 exhibition, which lasts through til May 2012.

4. Zorba the Buddha Festival, The Negev

Taking place over 10-14 April, the Zorba the Buddha Festival, down in the middle of the Negev Desert, is a festival for the more adventurous! With five days of great music, love and meditation, this is the place to come if you’re looking to explore your inner-self, you love sleeping rough, and you love trance. For more info, see the festival website.

5. Live the never ending Pessach dilemma – HaShahar or Nutella?

Join the rest of a nation as it divides itself into two camps: the ones that love local chocolate spread HaShahar on their matza bread, or those that prefer the more refined and international Nutella. You can’t say you’ve experienced Pessach in Israel until you’ve had to make a choice…and no, we’re not telling you our preferred poison…

6. Haifa International Children’s Theater Festival

Another great destination for the kids is the International Children’s Theater Festival, which takes place every year in Haifa during Passover (this year it’s spread over three days, 8-10 April). This year the theme is based on theater from around the world, including a version of Pinocchio from Spain. For ticket info, call 04-8600500 or see the official website here.

7. Arabian Nights Festival, Upper Galilee

Spread over three days, 9-12 April, the Arabian Nights Festival takes place in the town of Tuba-Zangariyye in the Upper Galilee. If you’re interested in experiencing some of the Bedouin culture, food, history and values, this little festival could be right up your street.

8. International Flower Show, Haifa

If you love your fauna, head to Hecht Park in Haifa (at the southern entrance to the city) between the 7-14 April (open from 10:00 – 22:00). A “world of flowers” awaits, spread over some 30 dunams. Some 120,000 flowers in total from around the world will be there – will you? Prices start at 65 shekels to get in.

9. Enjoy the Beach!

With April temperatures meaning spring weather that often borders on summer highs, the beach could be the perfect place to spend some time during Passover. The beaches of Tel Aviv are always inviting, but if you’re looking for something a little more exotic, how about the beach we rank as the best in Israel? Or perhaps this one, a close second and far enough away from civilization to turn it into an awesome family trip…

10. Jerusalem Ice Festival

The impressive Jerusalem Ice Festival has been getting rave reviews since it opened in March, and it will run through til the end of April. Read our full review of the Jerusalem Ice Festival here. Good for all the family, and even a first date!

And…one place to avoid during Passover, the Sea of Galilee!

Don’t get us wrong, we love the Sea of Galilee. Unfortunately, the Sea of Galilee, including all the beaches and camping grounds that are scattered round its coastline, is a magnet for the “ugly” Israeli through any Jewish holiday. So, if you fancy holding on to your sanity, and would prefer to experience the real magic of the Sea of Galilee, steer clear during Passover. Read more about why here…

Wherever you end up, Happy Passover!

As a child, I remember schlepping up and down the stairs at my Grandmother’s house changing the dishes from the year-round dishes to the Pesach dishes . . . and setting the huge, long Seder table . . . and peeling what felt like hundreds of hard-boiled eggs. Then, of course, there’s all the shopping, cooking, and cleaning–sometimes even with a candle and a feather as you look for chametz (anything with bread or leavening in it).

So, to help with your Passover preparations . . . presenting our list of 5 Passover Must-Haves:

#1–A Beautiful Seder Plate

No matter how long your Seder table, there’s no question that the centerpiece is a Seder Plate. Aside from being beautiful and functional, a Seder Plate can help you remember all the different symbolic and ritual foods you’ll need to prepare ahead of the Seder . . . bitter herb, parsley, hard-boiled egg, charoset, salt water, roasted lamb bone . . . a lot to think about!

#2–A Kiddush Cup Worthy of a Visit from Elijah

While the Seder doesn’t include spinning dreidels or dressing up in costumes, there are many highlights for kids (and kids at heart)! Of course, looking for the Afikoman ranks right up there. But for many kids, the best part is opening the door for Elijah. Tradition teaches us that Eliyahu Hanavi (Elijah the Prophet) comes to visit each of our Seders, and we set our Seder table with a special cup of wine for him right at the center. It’s not every day we receive a visit from a prophet, so it’s nice to welcome him with our very best. Any Kiddush Cup will do the trick, but if you really want to pull out all the stops, you can’t go wrong with a magnificent sterling silver Kiddush Cup.

#3–A Wine Good Enough to Drink 4 Cups

At the Seder we are supposed to drink four cups of wine . . . but there is no rule that it all has to be of the super-sweet “purse-your-lips” concord grape variety. (In my family, it’s tradition that the first cup is, but after that, any nice Kosher-for-Passover table wine is fair game.) In Israel, finding a really nice Kosher-for-Passover wine is no problem; but elsewhere, the choices may be somewhat more limited. Fortunately, Israel’s wine industry is growing and flourishing, and Israeli wine is ever more widely exported. Some of the larger wineries have become household names, but if you’re looking for a lovely kosher boutique wine, try Dalton Wines, direct from their winery in the Upper Galilee. (And when you come to Israel, don’t forget to visit a few of Israel’s incredible wineries.)

#4–Some Really Great Passover Recipes

Who could imagine Passover without matzah ball soup, gifilte fish, or Grandma’s chopped liver? These are, without a doubt, absolute necessities for any Seder. But what about after the Seder is over and it’s time to face a long week without bread or pasta or cereal or (fill-in-the-blank)? It’s essential to have some really great recipes to fill the gap! For breakfast, of course, there’s matzah brie. And for a really fabulous sweet treat that will make you wish it were Passover all year round, try this recipe for Chocolate Covered Matzah Buttercrunch.

And finally . . .

#5–A Great Place to Eat Once Passover has Passed Over

For the first meal after Passover, some like to incorporate as much chametz as possible. (Though you won’t find this as a rule in any rabbinic text, it does seem only fair!) Pasta is always a good choice; for many, the only acceptable option is pizza and beer. And if you’re lucky enough to be celebrating Passover in Israel, check out our very own Restaurants Category for some excellent recommendations.

So, in the end, although Passover is not all about “Let’s Eat,” eating does make its way prominently onto our list of 5 Passover Must-Haves. Well, it is a Jewish holiday, after all . . . Chag sameyach (Happy Holidays)!

This post was sponsored by World of Judaica.

There’s nothing like the Jewish holiday of Purim for letting your hair down, getting funky, and hey, even getting dressed up in stockings, lipstick, and a wig (there you go, my Purim costume is out of the bag!). The Holy Land will surely party for the two/three days Purim runneth!

Last year we gave you four awesome parties in Tel Aviv, this year we’re stretching our net a little wider…but here they are, five awesome Purim parties to enjoy! And please, any sordid, drunken pictures should be forwarded to us for, er, reference…!

1. The very funky and very popular Tel Aviv Street Party is holding yet another bash. It’s taking place on Friday March 9 at 12:00 noon in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and on Shaul Hamelech Boulevard. Best of all it’s FREE! For more details, see their Facebook page.

2. Another great FREE party in Tel Aviv is at the Maoz bar (King George 32) where they’ll be holding their Italian Mafia party. It’s free all night (March 8th), the action kicks off at 22:00, just don’t forget your mustache (they’ll also be handing out some)! Expect to hear some happy gypsy/Balkan and electroswing tunes, and there’s also a live band, Monti Fiori.

3. A little more hippiefied and out of the way is the traditional rave at Desert Ashram: 3 days (March 8-10) of trance, reggae, world music, and general free living. Tickets cost 120 shekels, it’s an intimate but cool gig, and as they put it: love is the compass.. music is the background.. the magic is the people...

4. March 9 also sees the now legendary Florentin Street Party in Tel Aviv. There’ll be lots of good things going on in the neighborhood, including down some of those little side streets. Check out the local bars, such as Hoodna, for even more happening times. NOW CANCELLED :-( …an alternative you could try is the Nahalat Binyamin street party (the 8th March).

5. And finally…Purim in Jerusalem! We were torn between the Hebrew University’s shindig and Mike’s Place, but as Mike’s Place is FREE, Mike’s is the winner. Head down to Yafo 33 on March 8 for a huge Purim party, scheduled to steam on all night, with some live rock’n'roll and blues, as well as a costume competition. And yes, FREE to get in.

Those parties that almost made our Famous Five, but didn’t, include…

…the party at the Block Club on March 8, which includes circus performance troupe Bordel Total and rising electroswing stars, Swingotopia. French electro duo Noze will be headlining, tickets cost 80 shekels, and you must be dressed up!

…Sister Bliss from Faithless DJing at Zizi, Tel Aviv. Tickets are 70 shekels+, and the action kicks off at 23:00.

…the Hebrew University shindig in Jerusalem on March 8, scheduled for the Carta car park on Mamilla, with big prizes awaiting those dressed up. Tickets cost 50-90 shekels.

Wherever you end up…HAPPY PURIM!

Of course, you can find donuts in almost any bakery in Israel at this time of year, but most will simply serve up the standard donuts filled with that sickly sweet jam filling so common to Israeli donuts. We went on the hunt for real donuts, filled with something a little je ne sais quoi, and came up with these three leading lights…

Roladin

What can we say that hasn’t been said about Roladin donuts? They are the King of Donuts come Hanukkah time, and are renowned for their lavish toppings. This year they’ve outdone themselves with some cocktail inspired concoctions, including the saucy little Vodka Double Espresso. Prices range from 4.5 to 9 shekels per donut. They have branches throughout the country (most are Kosher), check their website for details (only in Hebrew unfortunately).
www.roladin.co.il

Mr Donuts

A fairly recent addition to the donut scene in Israel, we’ve chosen them for two reasons: they are available in many locations (including many gas stations throughout the country – check their website for details), and they are also less calorie filled thanks to an innovative cooking method (they claim their average donut is between 180-240 calories). They also claim an “Original American Formula” is behind their tastiness, but who knows, or really cares…
www.donuts.co.il

Ben Ami

A more refined location for your donut fix, this chain of small, neighborhood cafes is a great choice to meet your calorie quota. The donuts are not as exotic as our other two recommendations, but definitely one to add to the list. All cafes are Kosher.
www.benami.co.il

Those of you counting the calories will be sorely tempted by the wide variety of donuts on sale everywhere (see our explanation behind Hanukkah to understand why donuts are a major part of the holiday), while local kids are off school and badgering parents to take them to one of the variety of shows and performances targeted for kids over the holiday.

So, besides stuffing your kids with sweet donuts, or dragging them round the Christmas sites (here’s our guide to the top things to see and do at Christmas to feel festive!), how about one of these five things we’ve picked out below (and yes, we’ve chosen not to include the traditional BIG kids show at Hanukkah, the Festigal, as it’s just one big commercial juggernaut these days). They’ll probably only be in Hebrew, but for some of them it’s all about the entertainment, and less about the language…

* The ticket prices listed below are before any discounts; you will quite often find tickets at half-price through one promotion or another. We recommend you ask about discounts when purchasing.

The Israel Ballet performs Cinderella

Take your kids for some top-class culture – the Israel Ballet are on tour! From 19th-29th December you can catch performances in Modiin, Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheva. Tickets are priced at 179 shekels. For more info, call 03-6046610.

Momentito

From the guys behind the long-running Mayumana, this musical, creative and humorous show runs from 20-31st December in Haifa, with up to 4 shows a day. Recommended ages: 2-10. See the clip at the end of this article for an idea of what to expect. Tickets are priced at 170 shekels. For more, see www.mayumana.com or call *2274.

Bamba Factory Tour

Learn all about Israel’s national snack, Bamba, that peanut-flavored delight, at the huge Bamba (Osem) factory in HaMelacha Street in Holon (Tel Aviv suburb). FREE to join the tour, you MUST reserve a spot in advance: call 1-700-707676. Ideal for ages 5+. And for any Bamba addicts…

Prodigy Festival

This festival of very talented singing kids (yes, child prodigies), aged 9-14, will be held at the Diona Center in Ashdod. The one-off show on 25th December will be a tribute to much loved Israeli songwriter Uzi Hitman, who wrote and sang many classic children’s songs. Tickets are 20 shekels. For more info, call 08-8648585.

Home Alone

The Hebrew version of the Macaulay Culkin classic, so even if you don’t understand the lingo, the scenes should be familiar. This one you can catch between the 19th -30th December in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheva and Ashkelon. The show features many Israeli TV stars, and tickets are priced (initially) at 180 shekels. Call *6226 for more info.

Honorary mentions…

And in addition to the above, we’d also recommend a trip to the magical Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, the Tower of David Museum (including catapult throwing!), Mini Israel, or even the old classic, the Luna Park amusement park. Bear in mind these three sites are some of Israel’s most popular, so may well be packed to the rafters during Hanukkah…

Here’s that clip we promised of the guys from Momentito…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Perhaps the most joyous of holidays for the religiously observant, Simchat Torah celebrates the completion, and subsequent restart, of the reading of the Torah. You might not know it, but throughout the year specific portions of the Torah are read every week: the Torah reading reaches its conclusion on Simchat Torah when the last verses of Deuteronomy are read.

The highlight of Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing in the Law” in Hebrew) is the hakafot, where the Torah scrolls are taken from their ark (the only time during the year) and passed to all members of the congregation, and everyone marches and dances with the Torah scrolls around the synagogue reading table. These hafakot are usually held on the eve of Simchat Torah, and the following morning, on Simchat Torah itself.

As part of the celebrations, each man and child in the congregation takes part in the celebrations by receiving an aliyah, a calling to join in the dancing celebrations or by reciting some of the Torah.  After the final aliyah of the Torah, the beginning of Genesis is read (from a second Torah scroll), and the whole Torah cycle starts all over again.

Don’t be surprised to see some really happy Jews during Simchat Torah as it’s been known for the Rabbi to bring in a bottle or two of whiskey to help the celebrations along…

In Israel, Simchat Torah celebrations are usually confined to one day, the twenty-second day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, directly after Sukkot; outside Israel they usually last two days.

You can read all about Sukkot and what it means here, but in this article we’re going to give you some amazing things to see and do over the holiday (in addition to the list of usual must-see sites in Israel).

Most of Israel will be on holiday over Sukkot, so expect many places to be crowded, the roads packed, and parents run ragged by kids…so get away from it all with our five EXTRAORDINARY events over Sukkot – for all ages, sizes and skill levels!

Leading the pack…the annual Akko Festival!

Over 30-odd years, the Acco Festival has evolved into one of the cultural events of the year in Israel. Amid the old Crusader buildings of the Old City, you can find some of the best alternative theater in Israel: Fringe theater at its best! There are local and international theater groups, and pretty much everything for everybody! This year events take place over 16-19 October. Read more…

Up, up and away at the Gilboa Hot Air Balloon Festival!

Kicking off on Monday 17th October at 3:00pm, this is a great one for all the family, with hot air balloons galore (including an amazing night show that lights up the sky), climbing walls, workshops to build miniature hot air balloons, an appearance by kids TV star Yuval HaMebulbal, and others. Go for broke and bring your own tent. The two-day festival will set you back just 65 shekels (55 shekels if you like their Facebook page!). Read more (Hebrew only)…

Enjoy the desert and big-name Israeli bands at the Tamar Festival

The Tamar Festival runs over four days from 15-19th October, and will be held in Wadi Zohar, near the Dead Sea. Expect to see some great Israeli bands, including world renowned ravers Infected Mushroom and legends Bary Sakharov, Shalom Hanoch, Yehudit Ravitz and Aviv Geffen, and don’t forget the moonlight trek (yes, for all the family) through the Dead Sea desert. Read more…

Take the family for a spin in the Crosstown Tel Aviv Bike Ride

If you and your family are into cycling, this could be the perfect event to enjoy the streets of Tel Aviv. Much of the city will be closed off to traffic in this great crosstown bike ride, meaning the streets will be as safe as possible (for those worried about the legendary Israeli driver). There are three routes to choose from, plus a concert by Israeli band The Giraffot (The Giraffes) and a mass spinning session. Read more…

Reawaken your spirit at the Zorba Buddha Festival

Get in touch with your inner self at the Zorba Buddha Festival in this amazing little oasis in the desert (Desert Ashram, south of Mitzpeh Ramon on Road 40). Taking place over 22-25 October, this is the place for you if you want performances, workshops, parties and meditation, with top hosts from the country and wide world, in the middle of nowhere. Camping facilities available. Read more…

Some honorable mentions…

Some other things to watch out for – the Abu Gosh Vocal Music Festival, some arty Tabula Rasa-ing over in Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda market, the Haifa Film Festival, including a George Clooney (swoon…) premiere (see www.haifaff.co.il for more info), Israel’s first ever Harp Festival in Jaffa, and the annual Classical Guitar Festival over in Netanya, featuring some of the world’s greatest classical guitarists (see www.guitar-gems.com for more info).

Wherever you end up, we hope you have an EXTRAORDINARY time! And don’t forget to tell us how it was, especially if you checked out any of the above!

So beat the crowds with these five awesome activities we’ve picked and know well, an hour or two’s drive out of the big cities. You’ll probably still come across some crowds (not sure there’s anywhere crowd-free during the holidays!) but these are a nicer type of crowd, we promise!

Kite Flying at Gan Guru

This Aussie park (Gan Guru – Kangaroo, get it?) at Kibbutz Nir David, close to Bet Shean, will be holding a huge kite flying festival, both for pros and amateurs. There’ll even be workshops to help build your kite (15-25 shekels a pop). It all happens between 09:00 and 17:00 on Friday 30th September. The Gan Guru park, which is strangely (!) full of kangaroos and koalas, will also be open to visitors (costs 43 shekels per person). For more info, call 04-6488060/1.

Marzipan Museum Workshop

The Marzipan Museum at Kfar Tavor (on the road to the Sea of Galilee) will be holding workshops throughout the holiday, as well as tours of their museum (you won’t believe some of the items are made from marzipan!). The museum will be open every day, including the holidays itself, and usually open from 10:00 to 17:00, though closing slightly earlier on Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th. It will cost adults 20 shekels, children 37 shekels. For more info, call 04-6772111.

Honey Festival at Devorat HaTavor

It’s almost impossible to avoid honey during a Jewish New Year, and here’s the perfect spot to overindulge: the Devorat HaTavor center on Moshav Shadmot Devora (right next to Kfar Tavor). Over three days, from the 29th to the 1st October, you can enjoy a two hour tour of the resident beehives and learn all about the sticky stuff. Yes, of course, you get to taste some honey straight from the honeycomb! It’ll cost you 22 shekels, and your kids 45 shekels. For more info, call 04-6769598.

Derekh HaEtz (Path of the Tree)

Get back to nature and enjoy a tour of taste of trees and their environment at the Derekh HaEtz park (see our review here), also on Moshav Shadmot Devora. Especially for the Jewish New Year they’ll be open on Wednesday and Friday this week from 09:00 to 15:00. For adults 20 shekels, the kids 39 shekels. For more info, call 04-6620606.

Sweet happenings at the Spice Farm

Head to the Bethlehem of the Galilee (yes, there are two Bethlehems in Israel!) for some sweet activities at the Spice Farm there (Havat HaTavlinim). You can experience the joys of honey, plus take a free tour of the fields of herbs and spices. The New Year events run from Thursday 29th to Saturday 1st October. Each day at 11am learn about bees and honey, and among the many workshops available, learn to make honey (mixed with halva, yummy!). Kids will cost between 20-50 shekels, but adults are free. For more info, call 04-9533405.

Wherever you end up, Happy New Year (Shana Tova)!

In what is always a surreal few hours, Independence Day celebrations are always preceded by the more somber Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron). It’s one heck of an emotional roller-coaster for 48 hours; from the truly moving and very sad stories of soldiers who’ve been lost along the way over the last 63 years, to the pure carnival atmosphere where drink and good times just keep flowing…

As is typical for a Jewish holiday, Independence Day events begin immediately after the sun sets on Memorial Day. The nation invariably catches some of the official events on early evening TV, before going out to celebrate themselves.

So, if you’ve got your dancing shoes ready, here are five great Independence Day parties (yes, there are literally hundreds of parties on Monday night!) to check out in Tel Aviv…

1. Florentin Street Party

This southern Tel Aviv neighborhood will come alive, as it does every year, with a big street party. There’ll be lots of loud music and quite a few happy, drunk Israelis. And, yes, you get to shake your bootie for FREE! Things get started around 9pm, but just so you know, some 60,000 are expected for this one! Just follow the crowds…

2. Rami Mieri’s Last Jungle

Renowned graffiti artist Rami Mieri is having a shindig in his backyard (on the corner of HaYarkon and Nehamia streets – don’t worry, you can’t miss his studio!). Kick off at 10pm, free drinks and great music promised, but it will set you back 120 shekels on the door. But this could be one of the coolest parties on the night!

3. Street Party @ Gilda (Ehad HaAm 64)

A lot smaller than the huge Florentin monster party, this party comes complete with 4 DJs on the stage, who’ll be bringing you some house, electro beats and some freestyle. This could be the place to kick off your night (some stonking house tunes are first up on the menu). Starts at 8pm, and entrance is FREE (freebies are goood!)!

4. The Biggest Rooftop Party!

This one is on one of the biggest rooftops in Tel Aviv apparently, at Yigal Allon 55 (Entrance A). Organized by some bar owners and party people in Tel Aviv who are determined to bring Independence Day to the people. Things get started at 9:30pm, complete with a free chaser. 60 shekels to enter, check out more over here (in Hebrew).

5. Tel Aviv Private Parties host a Private Rooftop Party for 30 somethings

This one looks very cool: a private office building rooftop at Nahalat Binyamin 41 ( in the Rothschild Area). The party starts at 9:30pm, with tourists, locals and a high tech crowd expected, roughly aged 30 +/-. It will cost you 50 shekels, but it’s worth getting your name on the list for this one over here (because come on, how many people can you squeeze on a roof?!)