Summer Events - Jerusalem Guide

The Light in Jerusalem Festival will be held for the 11th year in the Old City. It offers a celebration of lights and colors between the alleys, walls, and impressive buildings that inhabit it. The festival, which stars in the prestigious list of light festivals held around the world, provides an artistic and dramatic dimension to nightly assets. It includes spectacular three-dimensional light displays, sculptures and artistic installations, stained glass windows and huge stars; alongside video projections of buildings and walls, and outdoor performances combining light and sounds. The illuminated alleys, the magical atmosphere of the Old City and the innovative and challenging art make a visit to the festival an extraordinary and captivating artistic experience.

When: June 26 – July 4

Where: Throughout the Old City. For details: lightinjerusalem.org.il

Spectacular scenery, a magical atmosphere, wonderful works and excellent musicians; the festival of vocal music in Abu Ghosh returns on Shavuot to the churches of the village, to the church of Kiryat Ye'arim and to the crypt of the Crusader Church. This year, the festival will host chamber choirs from abroad and various vocal ensembles that will play classical and iconic pieces alongside interesting innovations that offer a musical journey in time and place. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival within the festival will be held: four hours of music (12:00-16:00) in five different locations simultaneously, around the church in the center of the village.

When: June 7-9

Where: In the village of Abu Ghosh, details: agfestival.co.il

Hansen's flagship project returns to a week full of events, exhibitions, installations and fascinating collaborations. About 150 designers from all over the world will present their works in more than 40 projects during International Design Week, which will operate under the concept "East" this year, and will deal with the differences between East and West from varying perspectives. In addition to the exhibitions, there will be lectures on design manners, workshops and inspirational meetings with designers from various fields.

When: June 13-20

Where: Hansen House, 14 Gedalyahu Alon. For details: jdw.co.il

“Makom Leshira” (a place for poetry) is a house for poets, established by Jerusalem poets in order to promote poetry in Israel in general and in Jerusalem in particular. Makom Leshira includes the school for the art of the word (Amanuyot Hamila), literary events, writing workshops, publishing and more. Every Wednesday an open meeting is held with well-known poets and writers. In June, writer and poet David Burstein (5.6) will be hosted by filmmaker Amit Hasson (12.6), poet Gili Haimovich (19.6) and poetess Agi Mishol (26.6). In addition, the school will hold an open day (21.6), where an experiential workshop, lectures, and a happening will be held for those who love the written word.

When: During the month of June.

Where: 9 Hamaaraviem St., For details: poetryplace.org

The Hebrew Book Week in Jerusalem offers a celebration of culture, books and a host of activities and events for the whole family that will be held in the first station compound. Lovers of reading in the good old format are invited to walk around stalls laden with books. Get familiar with original literature, translated books, children's books and youth books. In addition, the fair will include a wealth of experiential activities for children and youth, such as plays, storytime, creative workshops, theatre, and musical performances. Entrance is free to all stands, events and shows.

When: June 12-22

Where: Station Complex. For details: facebook.com/events

The Outline festival for Illustration and Words deals with the close connection between illustration and the written word. In the festival you can see how illustrations and accompanying texts, often associated with children's books and magazines, can exist in a wide variety of possibilities: hand-drawn, digital, or three dimensional. Over 150 illustrators, animators, poets, writers and artists from Israel, and around the world, will present their works at the festival, which will also include art tours, theatre events, music performances, spoken-word and stand-up.

When: July 4-12

Where: Around the city. For details: outlinejerusalem.com

The Jerusalem Film Festival is a summit event that connects film lovers with the height of cinematic creativity. This year's festival celebrates its 36th year and covers 10 days of cultural and artistic celebration, including more than 180 films from 60 countries around the world, in various categories: feature films, documentaries, short and experimental. The festival also holds different meetings in the cinematheque and other sites throughout the city: meeting international artists, professional cinematic workshops, sparkling premieres, parties, shows and outdoor events all included.

When: July 25 – August 4

Where: Jerusalem Cinematheque, 11 Hebron Road. For details: jff.org.il/en

The Agnon House in the Talpiot neighborhood is the historic home of the writer S.Y Agnon, which has become a literary museum that conducts local cultural activities. During the reading month (June) the Agnon House will hold encounters with public figures and intellectuals, who will talk about the books and texts that accompanied them and outlined their path in life. Among the participants: Robi Namdar, Ariana Melamed, Yankele Rotblit and more. In July there will be a series of meetings with the best researchers in Israel on the work of writer Amos Oz and the cultural heritage he left us. Participants: Bilha Ben-Eliahu, Avraham Balaban, Nitza Ben Dov, Matan Hermoni and Nurit Gertz.

When: June-July.

Where: Klausner 16, Talpiot. For details and meetings: agnonhouse.org.il

The International Klezmer Festival, which has become a tradition in Jerusalem, brings together lovers of the genre and lovers of music of all kinds with the best musicians and Klezmer ensembles from Israel and abroad. The festival combines the world of melodies from small Jewish towns with international musical cultures and styles, as well as authentic klezmer performances of traditional Jewish music and performances and Klezmer combined with jazz, tango, rhythm & blues, and country music.

When: August 12 - 14

Where: Around the city. For details: safed-home.com

The Wine Festival at the Israel Museum is a true celebration for wine lovers. During the four days of the festival that is held in the Museum’s Japanese art garden, dozens of wineries and local boutique wineries present their best wine series. The visitors of the festival receive a glass of wine at the entrance (for a one-time fee), which can be filled all evening with no limit. There are hundreds of wines, as well as cheeses, chocolates, olive oils, sauces, jams and other kinds of delicacies. Everyday there is live music performances in the beautiful garden.

When: August 7-10

Where: The Israel Museum. For details: imj.org.il/en

The International Hutzot Hayotzer Art Festival returns to its 44^th year, and as in every year, the colorful stands fill the Hutzot Hayotzer complex and the Sultan's Pool, opposite the Tower of David at the foot of the walls of the Old City. Hundreds of artists from Israel and around the globe participate in the festival and exhibit paintings, prints, ceramics, jewelry, weaving and textiles, alongside Judaica, toys, woodwork, art installations and giant outdoor sculptures. The festival also includes a children's area with special activities, artist workshops and meetings with artists from Israel and abroad, music performances, and culinary areas.

When: August 12-24

Where: Sultan Pool. For details: itraveljerusalem.com/en

The colorful summer event of the Train Theater returns to its 28^th year with international puppet theater troupes and visual theater from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Lithuania and Slovenia. In addition, the best puppet theater for children from around the country participate as well in the festival, with new shows, musical performances, outdoor performances, a creative workshop and the landmark event: A forest of elves and fairies, an art complex, and performances for the whole family.

When: August 18-22

Where: The Train Theater, Liberty Bell Park. For details: traintheater.co.il

The Jerusalem Beer Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary and this is an excellent opportunity to toast in its honor. The festival, considered one of the biggest events in Israel's beer industry, hosts over 120 different beers every year, from large and well known brands to small boutique breweries and beers specially prepared for the festival. In addition to the beer stands, there are food stands, food trucks, and various musical performances.

When: August 28-29

Where: Independence Park. For details: jerusalembeer.com

Jerusalem is a complex and hypnotic city, which does not cease to surprise and challenge its visitors. The more you look, the more you realize that the city’s story is infinite, winding, writing and retelling itself again and again in different ways. Mekudeshet (sacred in Hebrew) is a complex and fascinating festival in which artists who draw their inspiration from the city present a series of cultural events, including music, dance, encounters with interesting people, experiential tours and more. Some of them are hopeful, others are controversial, but all provide a possibility for a different look at the city, its unique sites, the human fabric, and the cultures that exist in Jerusalem, and in life in general.

When: September 4-24

Where: Around the city. For details: mekudeshet.com

The First Station complex offers an abundance of festivals and events for the summer:

June 10 Festi-Van in a Hip Hop Show

A hip-hop and rap show featuring leading artists, including Jimbo Jay, Pedro Grass, Eric Aber and Jonathan Blumenfeld. The works performed in the show will be intertwined in the spirit of the ‘Battle culture of the Bronx’, with random participation from the audience. 17:30-18:30, free admission

June 25-27 Food Festival “Ochlim Olam”

A culinary and cultural experience from around the world. The "Eat the World" festival brings together dozens of different types of dishes from various cultures and places around the globe. The restaurants participating in the festival offer representative flag dishes alongside international wines, beers and spirits. The festival stage features bands from all over the world playing a global range of music.

18:00-23:00 | free admission

July 3-4 Country Festival

The Unites States Independence Day on July 4th is a celebratory event with lots of fun and food. To commemorate the holiday in Israel, there will be beer stalls, guests will be served dozens of different types of beer and whiskey, and at the huge barbecue stations, meat and sweet corn will be served. There will also be various stalls, country music, the Jerusalem Championship riding a mechanical bull, line dancing and lots of great vibes.

17:00-23:00 | free admission

Summer Dancing

When: Every Sunday.

What kind of dancing: Israeli folk dances, folk dancing, ballroom dancing and group dancing.

20:00-23:00 | free admission

A Jerusalem Kabbalat Shabbat

When: Every Friday

This is a community initiative whose goal is to establish a common spiritual space for worshippers of all denominations and differentiations through Kabbalat Shabbat, while strengthening the egalitarian and pluralistic character of Jerusalem.

17:00 | free admission

Exhibition: A photographic journey to the Temple Mount

The Tower of David Museum presents a new photographic exhibition: The Mountain, a photographic journey to the Temple Mount - Al-Haram Al-Sharif 1839-2019. Through extensive and in-depth photographic research, the exhibition presents the story of the Temple Mount in the modern history of the city, from the monumental-architectural angle to its definition as the Middle East's "explosive barrel". The exhibition, which contains well-known photographs and rare photographs, videos and photographs from the 19^th century to the present, provides a clear, yet sober, yet inspiring and hopeful view of the most sacred and religious political complex in our region.

When: Until October.

Where: The Tower of David Museum. For details: tod.org.il

Veiled Women of the Holy Land – the phenomenon of Jewish and Muslim women covering their bodies to express religious piety and strict modesty has spread greatly in recent decades. This exhibition presents 13 sets of clothing of the various groups, accompanied by texts and photographs, dealing with the symbolic meanings of the modest clothes. In the film by director Ari Teperberg, women from the three religions shed light on their world view and the dress that is an inseparable part of it.

Alive in Space: Ilan Ramon’s journal and the Enoch Scroll from Qumran – Ilan Ramon is the first Israeli astronaut, who died in the Columbia Shuttle explosion. Miraculously, Ramon’s personal journal was uncovered from the ruins. In parallel, fragments of the Enoch scroll were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls about seven decades ago. The exhibition “Alive in Space” reveals the commonalities of the two items in their content, appearance, and circumstances of survival. Thus, the ancient Enoch and modern Ramon "the first space pilots," tell, in first person, their experiences while exploring the cosmic space.

Peter and Pan: from Ancient Greece to Neverland – This exhibition deals with the reincarnation of the God Pan, the peaceful and pastoral nature God, and the character of Peter Pan, the eternal child who refuses to grow and mature from James Barry's immortal work. The story of the two, in light of the times in which their characters "lived", is told with archeological artifacts such as ancient statues, reliefs and murals, along with early editions of Peter Pan's books, movies and fairy tales.

For details: imj.org.il

Jewelry Making: Past & Present, a new exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art, presents a thousand years of jewelry making that maintains a fascinating dialogue between cultures, religions, past and present. Forty-five Israeli jewelers display contemporary wearable art, which corresponds to Islamic jewelry from the museum's collection, and expands the boundaries of traditional jewelry making. Also in the exhibition: a first glance at silver and gold vessels that are hundreds of years old, from the collection of the Franciscan Order in Jerusalem; and a special display of Ofra Haza jewelry.

When: 30.5-16.11

For details: islamicart.co.il

The Incubator Theater serves as a home for an original Jerusalem work, with a special emphasis on excellence in the classic and modern acting and theater arts, and their uniqueness as a legitimate entertainment, educational, and cultural element in our digital age. The summer program of the theater is full of fun, interesting, and important events and performances, which you shouldn’t miss, such as: This City (a detective rap play), The Gentelman (after Sholem Aleichem), Gidi – a daydream musical and poetry slam, and Sacred – the story of Israeli freedom fighter, Beaujola and the beautiful Israeli. The theater, of course, is also concerned about the younger generation, and the children's plays include several original renditions.

For details: incubator.org.il