With the Jewish New Year and High Holiday season about to hit Israel big time – yes, that’s Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, all in ONE month – we’ve come up with a list of awesome things to see and do over the holiday period.
This list is probably more suited for the returning tourist and local; if you’re looking for a more touristy track to trek, check out our top 10 things to see and do in Israel, or perhaps even the ultimate checklist: 101 things to see, do, and taste in Israel – doable throughout the year!
Just one word of warning – expect crowds!
In no particular order…
Get familiar with all that Jewishness!
Yep, first of all, it’s time to really connect with your inner Jewish soul, even for us non-Jews! With a deluge of Jewish holidays over this period – seriously, don’t expect to get much done over the high holiday season, especially if it involves the local bureaucracy – it might be a good idea to read our guide to the holidays happening over this period! If you’re not here visiting family, try and mix it with the locals; you could even try something like Betzavta to meet and eat with locals over the holidays!
Catch some tunes at the annual Tamar Festival!

This four day musical festival features some of the BIGGEST names in Israeli music, as well as some stunning desert scenery – don’t miss the much-loved Masada sunrise concerts for the ultimate connection with Israelis and Israeli music! For more details and the full schedule, click here. Read more here…
Sit back and eat popcorn at the annual Haifa Film Festival!
If you’re looking to enjoy some amazing movies over the holiday period, head to the annual Haifa Film Festival, which features some awesome local and international flicks (read more here)!
Get yourself to a museum, pronto!
There are some great exhibitions on in Israel during this period, so go get some culture! Head to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem for some ongoing cultural goodness, or to the recently opened and hugely popular Natural History Museum in Tel Aviv. The choice is yours!
Get on yer bike at the annual Sovev Tel Aviv!
The annual Sovev Tel Aviv takes place during Sukkot. If you love cycling, you’ll love this unique 3 days of biking events in Tel Aviv. Read more here…
Be at one with nature – go Zorba!
Spread over 4 or 5 days during Sukkot, head to the Zorba Festival to reconnect with your soul, and get some spiritual awakening deep in the desert. There will be plenty of yoga, meditation, workshops, and hey, even some strutting your stuff to some amazing trance! Read more here…
Pop over to the Lost City of Petra!
Now is the perfect time of the year to pop across the border to Petra, the amazing Lost City of the Nabateans! While Israel is on holiday and school is out, many of the best sites in Israel will be FULL to the brim – beat the crowds and head to this amazing desert wonder, it’s easier than you think! Read more here…
Enjoy some fringe theater in Akko!
The annual Akko International Fringe Theater Festival will take place once again during the Sukkot holiday. With plenty of local and international talent on display, this is a great festival to enjoy if you love your fringe theater. The full program of activities is available on the festival website.
Rock out at the InDnegev Festival!
One of the coolest music festivals in Israel, this unique festival in the Negev desert has fast become an annual fave with music fans. Expect some great local bands, spread over 3 days. Read more here…
Top up your tan/frolic in the surf!
Head to the beaches of Israel. The weather is still perfect, the beaches a little less packed what with the kids back at school (and the belief that it’s October and winter is fast on its way, even if the thermometer is screaming 40C…), and yep, they’re mostly free to access…
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