Hanukkah in Jerusalem 2026
Dec 4 – Dec 12, 2026 · updated daily
Hanukkah 5787 runs eight nights: the first candle is lit on the evening of Friday, 4 December 2026, and the eighth on the evening of Saturday, 12 December. In Jerusalem the lamps are lit outdoors, in doorways and windows, and in Nachlaot, Sha'arei Hesed and Mea She'arim the lanes themselves become the route.
Hanukkah in Jerusalem: grand candle lightings at the Western Wall and the city squares, light festivals, kids' shows throughout the Hanukkah school break, and sufganiyot (doughnuts) on every corner of Machane Yehuda Market.
The Hanukkah school-break week is one of the busiest for kids' and family events — plays, shows, and craft activities all over the city. Check the calendar a few days ahead, as the big shows sell out fast.
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Join the WhatsApp channelHanukkah events already on the calendar
56 eventsMorning Pilates at the First Station
Friday, December 4, 2026, 09:00–10:00
The First Station Jerusalem
Bonjour, Notre Dame — A Tour of the French Compound
Friday, December 4, 2026, 09:00–12:00
Tower of David Museum
The Treasures of Rockefeller — Tower of David Museum Tour
Friday, December 4, 2026, 09:30–12:30
Tower of David Museum
Friday Evening at the First Station
Friday, December 4, 2026, 18:00
The First Station Jerusalem
Israeli Folk Dancing with Ofer Tzofi
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 16:30–19:30
The First Station Jerusalem
משרתם של שני אדונים
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 20:00
Khan Theatre
Alma — Tablets of the Heart
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 22:00
The Yellow Submarine
Yearning – A Tribute to Ofra Haza's Songs
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 11:30
Beit Ha'am Cultural Center
Mayumana: DNA
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 17:00–18:15
Jerusalem Theater
Yoga at the First Station
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 17:30–18:30
The First Station Jerusalem
סיפור פשוט
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 20:00
Khan Theatre
NEXT 2026 in Jerusalem — Omer Adam, Rita, Idan Amedi and more
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 21:00
Pais Arena Jerusalem
Tour – Muslim Sites Sacred to Jews in Jerusalem and Surroundings
Monday, December 7, 2026, 07:00–19:00
Yad Izhak Ben Zvi
The Stolen Time - Renewed Escape Room at the Rare Watches Exhibition
Monday, December 7, 2026, 10:00
Museum of Islamic Art
Code Name: Circles of Fate - Escape Room
Monday, December 7, 2026, 10:00
Museum of Islamic Art
Safari at the Museum / Hanukkah for the Whole Family
Monday, December 7, 2026, 10:30
Museum of Islamic Art
Mati Seri — Setting the Table
Monday, December 7, 2026, 11:30–11:45
Pais Cultural Centre for Arts and Culture
A Funny Little Doughnut Shop
Monday, December 7, 2026, 12:00–13:30
Beit Ha'am Cultural Center
A Funny Little Doughnut Shop
Monday, December 7, 2026, 16:00–17:30
Beit Ha'am Cultural Center
Cinderella
Monday, December 7, 2026, 17:00–18:45
Jerusalem Theater
Zumba at the First Station
Monday, December 7, 2026, 19:00
The First Station Jerusalem
סיפור פשוט
Monday, December 7, 2026, 20:00
Khan Theatre
Line Dancing Evening
Monday, December 7, 2026, 20:00–21:00
The First Station Jerusalem
Otef Market at the First Station
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 09:00–18:00
The First Station Jerusalem
Hanukkah Performance | Guardians of the Dragons
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 12:00
Pais Cultural Centre for Arts and Culture
In the Sephardic Quarter: Hanukkah Miranda
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 16:00–18:30
Museum of the Old Yishuv Court
Tintin
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 17:00–18:00
Jerusalem Theater
Hipazon and Zehiron — The Story of the Miracle
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 17:30–19:00
Jerusalem Theater
יעקובי ולידנטל
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 20:00
Khan Theatre
Leadership, Presidency and Light – Hanukkah in Songs and Stories at the President's Residence
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 10:00–12:30
Yad Izhak Ben Zvi
Alice in Wonderland
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 15:30–16:45
Jerusalem Theater
Alice in Wonderland
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 17:30–18:45
Jerusalem Theater
The Girl Who Laughed in a Dream: A Musical Following Leah Goldberg's Children's Songs
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 19:30–19:30
Avi Chai House
יעקובי ולידנטל
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 20:00
Khan Theatre
From Chanson to Cabaret
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 20:30–20:45
Pais Cultural Centre for Arts and Culture
Hillel
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 21:30
The Yellow Submarine
The Treasures of Rockefeller — Tower of David Museum Tour
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 10:00–13:00
Tower of David Museum
Maccabim 2026
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 17:30–18:45
Jerusalem Theater
What Do the Songs Do? A Musical-Storytelling Performance for Children and Parents
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 19:30–19:30
Avi Chai House
The Symphony | Music Impact
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 19:30
Jerusalem Theater
אופקים סימפוניים – נגני תזמורת צעירים מארחים את סולני העתיד
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 19:30
Jerusalem Theater
Whose Sukkah Is Falling Down
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 20:00–21:30
Khan Theatre
My Heart Chose
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 20:30–20:40
Pais Cultural Centre for Arts and Culture
The Push Up Trio
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 21:00–22:10
Jerusalem Theater
Dudu Tassa
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 21:00
Beit Ha'am Cultural Center
Nigunim Quartet
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 21:30
The Yellow Submarine
Morning Pilates at the First Station
Friday, December 11, 2026, 09:00–10:00
The First Station Jerusalem
Yaakov Orland's Ethiopian Quarter Alley — A Poetry Walk
Friday, December 11, 2026, 09:30–12:30
Yad Izhak Ben Zvi
שישי בגלריה: דמעות של שמש, עם איתמר שגיא
Friday, December 11, 2026, 10:00
The National Library
The Rare Tree — A Tour of the Monastery of the Cross
Friday, December 11, 2026, 10:00–12:30
Tower of David Museum
The Moscow Circus: The Nutcracker on Ice
Friday, December 11, 2026, 11:00–12:40
Jerusalem Theater
Autumn in Every Colour — The Magic of Colour
Friday, December 11, 2026, 11:00–11:30
Beit Ha'am Cultural Center
Friday Evening at the First Station
Friday, December 11, 2026, 18:00
The First Station Jerusalem
Israeli Folk Dancing with Ofer Tzofi
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 16:30–19:30
The First Station Jerusalem
Whose Sukkah Is Falling Down
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 20:00–21:30
Khan Theatre
Laili
Saturday, December 12, 2026, 22:00
The Yellow Submarine
FAQ — Hanukkah in Jerusalem
Where can I see a public menorah lighting in Jerusalem?
The grandest and most impressive lighting is at the Western Wall, every evening of the holiday. More lightings take place at Safra Square, in the city center, and in the neighborhoods. Also look out for the menorahs in the windows of the Jewish Quarter — a beautiful Jerusalem tradition.
What can kids do in Jerusalem during the Hanukkah break?
Hanukkah shows at the theaters and at Zappa, activities at the Science Museum and the Israel Museum, the Biblical Zoo, and — weather permitting — ice skating. The full school-break calendar is updated on this page.
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