After surviving the recent Jewish New Year holidays, and fasting (or watching others fast!) for 25 hours over the solemn and holy Yom Kippur, it’s now time for the next stage in your Jewish holiday adventure – Sukkot!
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!