Tel Aviv © Shutterstock

Heatwave Happenings: The best ways to enjoy the Israeli summer

Whether by train, boat, bike, tour, car, or hike, here are the top ways to celebrate the Israeli Summer

Tuesday July 9 2019

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Written by Nicole Zibelman & Elle Gennis

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Israel’s heating up and the summer fun has just begun. Whether by train, boat, bike, tour, car, or hike, here are the top ways to celebrate the season in July and August - without breaking too much of a sweat.

By Foot

“Alumini” – Interactive Art Exhibit

Alumini © Kfir Bolotin

Enjoy a nice family outing and go on a stroll to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art where “Alumini” - a magical and interactive show is taking place August 20 through 22. The show combines theatre, humor and recycled aluminum tubes and accessories to create an exciting, engaging musical and dance performance.

Aug 20-Aug 22, Tel Aviv Art Museum, 27 Shaul Hamelech Rd, Tel Aviv.

Dakh Daughters

Dakh Daughters © Olga Zakrevska

Prepare for a show-stopping experience with this all-female Ukranian band of hardcore rock chicks who mix music and theatre in different languages and dialects. Decked out in cabaret garb, pantomime make-up and lyrics spanning Shakespeare to Bukowski, the eclectic seven-member strong cast is as original as it is jarring.

Jul 20, 20:30-23:30, Barby, 52 Kibuts Galuyot Rd, Tel Aviv

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Xport Open Gym

Make fitness fun with Xport’s beachfront fitness workshops complete with music from live DJs. With functional, weights and cardio classes, there’s something for everyone, so you’ll have no excuses to skip your workout anymore.

Link to Event

By Train

Red Sea Jazz Festival

Hop on a train to Eilat and plan a weekend trip around the Red Sea Jazz Festival at the end of August. Set in the beautifully unique surroundings of the Eilat Port, the Red Sea Jazz Festival is a one-of-a-kind musical event bringing together jazz-lovers from all over the country. Spend your summer vacation the right way with three nights celebrating this year’s theme of “Freedom, Music and Love.”

Aug 25-Aug 27, Eilat, Link to Event

Me’ever La Mycophobia - Heartfulness Festival

A magical, spiritual awakening of the heart, body and mind is only a short train ride away. Experience an inner introspection and mental evolution through a practice of yoga, ecstatic dance and acrobatics. Also enjoy live music and deep relaxation during the festival’s breathing ceremony.

July 11, 12:00-13:00, 4 Har Boker, Mizpe Ramon, meeverland.com

By Hot Air Balloon

International Hot Air Balloon Festival

Hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes will take over the skies as part of the 8th annual International Hot Air Balloon Festival. The event is perfect for adults, children and families alike. It will feature the world’s only digitally printed hot air balloon. Additionally, a pilot will fly the largest hot air balloon in the world, weighing nearly 500 pounds and extending over 13 stories high. Other unique hot air balloon designs will be featured, flown by some of the world’s most famous hot air balloon pilots. In addition to beautiful views, there will be live acrobatic performances. Trapeze artists will perform stunts while hanging from the balloons, raising the stakes for any traditional circus you may have seen before.

Aug 22-Aug 23, Habesor Park National Park, Negev, habsor.co.il; 4 years old+ NIS 149, 3 or under, NIS 20, Family of 4-6, NIS 125 per person

By Hike

Nahal Yehudia

Things to do
Golan Hights

Nahal Yehudia © Shutterstock

One of Israel’s most popular water hikes. Located in the Golan Heights, Yehudia has eleven separate trails to choose from. Some of the upper trails are best suited for strong hikers who can swim. Be prepared to shimmy down a rock-face and wade through streams, eventually reaching the 20-meter-high falls themselves. If you’re a thrill seeker, try jumping off the elevated rocks into the watering holes.

Ein Maboa (Ein Fawwar)

Michal shaked Wikipedia

A 25-minute drive from Jerusalem in the direction of the Dead Sea, Ein Maboa is a hidden gem where you can take a short 1 or 2 km hike around the spring in the stunning desert mountains of Wadi Qelt. This particular spring is known to be refreshingly cold – perfect for a sultry summer’s day. Because the source of the pool’s water flows in a kind of U-turn from a cave made of limestone, the water disappears and refills. For this reason, the pool is known by locals as “Ein Hameshuga” or the crazy spring.

By Car

Jerusalem Wine Festival

Jerusalem Wine Festival © Elad Brami

Road trip it to the Holy City of Jerusalem for the annual Jerusalem Wine Festival. Wine and dine while listening to live music at the Art Garden of the Israel Museum with the over 200,000 other food and drink lovers who make the pilgrimage every year to enjoy one of Israel’s most popular festivals.

Jul 8-11, Israel Museum. Link to Event

Jerusalem Film Festival

Jerusalem Film Festival © Nir Shaanani

Join the long-standing tradition of the Jerusalem Film Festival to celebrate both Israeli and international filmmakers. The ten-day docket streams full length and short films of all kinds, so there’s something for every cinephile. This year’s festival celebrates its 36th year and covers more than 180 films from 60 countries around the world, in various categories: feature films, documentaries, short and experimental. “Parasite,” directed by South Korean director Bong Joon-ho, will kick off this year’s festival on July 25 with a screening at Sultan’s Pool in Jerusalem. In May, the film received the Palme d’Or, the highest honor at the Cannes Film Festival. It is the most successful Palme d’Or winning film since Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” in 1994 and has already sold out box offices in Korea and France. It will be available to the public in Israeli theatres in August.

July 25- Aug 4, Jerusalem Cinematheque, 11 Hebron Rd, Jerusalem, jff.org.il/en

By Bike

“The Phantom of the Opera”

Grab your bike or rent a bike with Lime and take a quick ride to the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center to see the iconic Broadway musical “The Phantom of the Opera” while it stops in Tel Aviv on its world tour. If Broadway is your thing, you won’t want to miss this show while it’s here.

Aug 13- Aug 24, Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, Tel Aviv, israel-opera.co.il

TEDx TelAviv

Calling all you intellectuals out there… spend an evening absorbing all there is to learn. The live TED Talks on social conventions and creating an impact are sure to get that brain power going.

Jul 4, 19:00-22:00, WeWork HaZerem, Tel Aviv

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Trauma Night #2

The lineup for Trauma Night will blow your mind; over 30 popular artists are performing on three different stages at this year’s urban fusion festival hosted by ZAZUA. From rappers to DJs to drag queens, this will be no shortage of a celebration of the creative arts.

Jul 11, 16:00-24:00, Art Club, 23 Lilienblum St, Tel Aviv, eventbuzz.co.il

Cult Classic in Old Jaffa

You’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time when watching classic films under the stars at Amphi Tirosh in Old Jaffa. On July 10, the comedic action film “The Blues Brothers,” will air. Every Wednesday at 20:30 a new film will be featured and the best part is… admission is free.

Jul 10, 20:30-23:00, Gan Hpisga (Abraham Shechterman Garden), Jaffa. Link to Event

By Plane

The Squadron (HaTayeset)

Ever wonder what it’d be like to be part of the Israeli Air Force? Luckily, Colonel Kobi Regev has created a program that allows civilians to use military grade technology and fighter plane training equipment to educate people about the fundamentals of aerial combat, and the heritage and values of the Israeli Air Force. Get a bird’s-eyeview of Israel –from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean it takes a total of 49 seconds!

Cinema City, Glilot, pilots.co.il