UPDATED FOR 2012
Nazareth is always a great place to visit over Christmas, what with Jesus’s childhood home town having the largest community of Christians in Israel – and they love their Christmas!
This year they have some great things to check out over the Christmas period, both for those of you just wanting a bit of Santa and tinsel, and for those wanting to experience the true meaning of Christmas in Israel, in one of the holiest spots in the Christian world…
Here are some of the main events (which we’ll update as we get more info):
12th December – Lighting of the Nazareth Christmas Tree in Mary’s Well square.
12-19th December – The now annual Christmas Market will be in town (read our full guide here), including a market (shock, horror!) full of great stuff to buy, food, stalls and street performances, a Santa here and there, clowns and other goodies for the kids, Christmas carols, and a celebration of world music on one stage (Jazz, blues, reggae, Spanish and Latin music, Flamenco performances, and even an African drum ensemble).
24th December – At 15:30 watch the traditional parade of thousands of youth from youth movements, together with the leaders of the Christian communities, through the main street of Nazareth. Our advice: get there early, it gets packed! After the parade, at 17:15 there is a firework display to announce the opening of the festive Christmas celebrations. At 19:30 Christmas Mass begins…
Christmas Day 25th December –Â All Catholic Churches have Mass. At the Church of the Annunciation the first Mass begins at 07:00. At 10:00, a festive Mass will take place.
Happy Christmas!