Festigal 2026 in Jerusalem? The Answer, As Things Stand

Every Jerusalem parent knows the moment: the month of Kislev comes around, the kids start humming the song from Festigal — the giant children's stage show that tours the country every Hanukkah — and then comes the question: "Dad, when are we going?" So here is the straight answer, no detours.

Is Festigal 2026 coming to Jerusalem?

As of August 2026 — no. According to the production's official announcements (as reported by N12, updated 26.7.2026), the big Hanukkah show is again expected to run in Tel Aviv only this year — the second year in a row that Festigal skips Jerusalem, Haifa and Be'er Sheva.

In 2025, after public criticism of that decision, the production subsidised public-transport travel for residents of the north and the south. Will there be a similar arrangement this year? Nothing has been announced yet.

This page is kept updated. The moment the full run of shows is announced, tickets go on sale — or a change brings the show back to Jerusalem — we will update it here.

Who is on stage this year

The production has started revealing the lineup: Ran Danker (his sixth Festigal — yes, the "Lightning Man" from 2005), Noa Kirel, Eden Ben Zaken as a guest artist, Shahar Tavoch for a second year running, and alongside them Israel Atias, Amir Benai, Noa Astanjelov, Shira Zalouf and other social-media stars. Auditions for the "Festigal children" (ages 9-13) are already open.

And what will there be in Jerusalem over Hanukkah? Plenty.

Anyone staying in the city is not left without a big stage:

• NEXT — Omer Adam's production returns for Hanukkah, and the lineup has already been published: Omer Adam, Rita, Idan Amedi, Osher Cohen, Odeya and Ben Tzur. Show dates, venues and the on-sale date for tickets have not yet been published (as of 17.8.2026) — in recent years the show has been held at Pais Arena, and we are following it. All the details here.
• Candle lighting in the Old City — the hanukkiot (the nine-branched Hanukkah candelabra) in the alleys of the Jewish Quarter and the candle lighting at the Western Wall are an experience you will not find in any other city in the world.
• Plays, workshops and children's shows — the city's theatres and museums put on Hanukkah programmes every year, and the announcements usually start in November. Our Hanukkah page fills up as they arrive.

Questions and answers

When is Festigal 2026? Over Hanukkah, in December 2026. Exact dates and ticket sales have not yet been published (as of 16.8.2026).

Where will Festigal 2026 take place? According to the announcements — in Tel Aviv only, as in 2025.

What can you do with the kids over Hanukkah in Jerusalem? Follow our Hanukkah page — every holiday event in the city in one place, updated daily.