During the shortest and coldest days of the year,
Hanukah is the perfect holiday to add some cheer, light, warmth and calories.
If you are in Jerusalem this holiday you can enjoy amazing light shows, concerts, festivals and parties.
The eight day festival is a perfect chance to see how the different Jewish groups in Jerusalem party;
From the bustling streets in the ultra orthodox neighborhoods like Meah Shearim
where thousands are on vacation and filling the streets while preparing their religious ceremonies
to the University students who are lighting candles everyday with friends
and then rushing out to the different parties around town.
The city walls of Jerusalem are lit up with different shapes and there are decorations around the main streets. Business owners are changing their menus and hosting special events
all over town and the municipality is planning festivals that will take place in the city center
and the different neighborhoods. While the smell of jelly doughnuts and potato latkes is
filling the streets we collected some of the best events in town,
near and far in order for you to party this Hanukah like a Jerusalemite:
*City center festival! For two days of Hanukah the city center is hosting a free festival filled with events:
A beetles tribute concert (Thurs, 15:00 in Even Juke bar), Blintzes making (Every hour on the hour on Yoel solomon 16) and many many more festivities for children and parents around Ziyon Square. Thursday 14-18:00 and Friday 9-14:00 all events are free.
*Light show in the Israel Museum – The Israel Museum is celebrating its 50th birthday this year with yearlong events. This Hanukah they invite us to a “Light Party” which was choreographed by the Firomania dance group. The show dances between screens, light balloons, Lasers and more light illusions. It will take place between December 9 – 13, but not on the weekend, in the museum, Entrance is 60 nis per adults and 40 for kids.
*Dance like you’re a local in The Boogie dance party – The boogie is an old Jerusalemite tradition. It began with a group of musicians and artists who didn’t find a place they loved to get together and dance in so they opened their own exclusive boogie-dance-clubs. This happened in 1997, since then the phenomenon grew and once every few months the location is published and hundreds go dancing to Israeli and worldly pop reggae and rock music. They are opening their doors especially for Hanukah this Wednesday 20:30 at Zerar Bachar center, Bezalel 11, Jerusalem. Entrance fee is 50 nis.
*After warming up at the boogie – The Post Hostel is hosting an Awesome Dance Disco Hanukah Party with DJ Miri Petel a local legend! come as you are entrance is free and celebrate the holiday with the staff, guests and friends of the hottest hostel in Jerusalem. 21:30 Thursday, 21:30, Koresh 3, Jerusalem.
*The Young Jerusalem Philharmonic Orchestra is performing some classic music in the Jerusalem theatre this Friday morning. Come enjoy the young talented musicians of the city showcasing their work in the fancy Jerusalem theatre building. A lovely way to start a Friday December 11, 12:00, Jerusalem theatre, Marcus 20, Jerusalem. Entrance fee is 70 nis.
However you choose to spend your Hanukah days we hope you eat a lot, smile a lot and have a light filled week!
