Shabbat Market at the Jerusalem YMCA: the City's New Saturday Market
23 September 2026Updated 13 October 2026
What it is
"Shabbat Market" is a new Saturday market in Jerusalem, held in the courtyard of the YMCA on King David Street. According to the YMCA's announcement it has stalls by local makers and artists, activities for children, a café and second-hand stalls. An earlier announcement of the market also mentioned food stalls, local handmade goods (jewellery, art, clothing, ceramics), stalls run by army reservists, and music.
Weekend markets are an institution in European cities. In Jerusalem, Saturday is the day when it is hardest to find somewhere to go, because most of the city is closed for Shabbat. This market is one of the few things open.
What it looks like
We were there on the opening morning, Saturday 10 October 2026. White tents stand on the lawn between the cypress trees, below the tower and along King David Street. We saw a stall of prints and illustrations, rails of clothes, a cart of Jerusalem bagels and a bar with draft beer and wine. Families with strollers were walking between the stalls within the first hour. We also saw a stall of jewellery and crocheted dolls, and several tents of second-hand clothes. Later the courtyard filled up: people stood close together by the clothes rails, and the tables on the café terrace were taken.
The market's café is Farran, under the arches of the YMCA and open on Saturday: breakfast and brunch plates at 40 to 58 ₪, salads, coffee and smoothies. Its full menu with prices is on its page.
Entry is free.
When
Three Saturdays in October 2026, each from 10:00 to 18:00:
Where, and how to get there
YMCA courtyard, 26 King David Street, Jerusalem, across the road from the King David Hotel. It is a short walk from Mamilla, Yemin Moshe and the German Colony.
Buses and the light rail do not run on Saturday, so come on foot, by bicycle, by taxi or by car. The YMCA car park is in the same compound, entered from Abraham Lincoln Street: 30 ₪ an hour and 95 ₪ a day (from the sign at the entrance, 10 October 2026), card or parking app only, no cash. Google Maps lists it as open 24 hours, Saturday included.
Worth the visit even if you are not shopping
The YMCA courtyard is one of the most beautiful spots in the city, and on Saturday it is usually quiet. The building opened in 1933 and was designed by Arthur Loomis Harmon, of the firm that designed the Empire State Building. Its bell tower is one of the landmarks of the Jerusalem skyline.
What else is open on Saturday
See what is open in Jerusalem on Shabbat for cafés, restaurants and attractions.
What is not known yet
No full list of stalls has been published, and the stalls may change from week to week. We will update this page if the market continues after October.
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