Hanukkah 2026 in Jerusalem: Events, Tours & Activities

Hanukkah in Jerusalem is an invitation to explore after dark: candles flicker in stone doorways, neighborhood songs carry through the lanes, and bakery windows fill with sufganiyot. Make time for a menorah walk, then pair your evening with a museum or an aquarium visit during the day.

Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4, and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. The eight candle-lighting evenings run from December 4 through December 11.

Browse evening experiences, tours, museums, and family activities below. Seasonal dates and prices marked “to be announced” will be updated as programs are released.

Evening experiences · Menorah tours · Museums and culture · Attractions and activities

Combine your holiday visit with a light-filled evening in Jerusalem, from a winter garden trail to a performance in the Old City.

Winter Dreams returns to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens for the 2026-27 season, bringing illuminated sculptures, interactive displays, and a winter food market to the garden after dark. Follow a trail of more than two kilometers, enjoy the musical soundtrack, and pause for something warm to eat along the way.

When? 17/11/26-31/01/27 (not including Fridays)
Where? Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, Givat Ram.
Cost? See the current 2026 booking page
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples

Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday, 17:00-22:00. Saturday, from half an hour after Shabbat ends until 22:00. Last entry: 21:00. Closed Fridays. Advance arrival coordination is required.

The exhibition includes flashing lights; visitors with photosensitivity or epilepsy should review the organizer's guidance.

City views, colorful lights, and holiday treats set the scene for SWEET JLM at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade. This outdoor celebration brings together the visual side of the Festival of Lights and the sweet flavors associated with Hanukkah.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Armon Hanatziv Promenade
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples

Watch Jerusalem's story unfold across the ancient citadel walls in the Night Spectacular. Projected images and original music transform the Tower of David courtyard into the setting for a 45-minute journey through the city's history.

With very little spoken text, the show is an option for visitors who do not speak Hebrew. It takes place outdoors, so bring a warm layer. Tickets for the night show are separate from daytime museum admission.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Tower of David, beside Jaffa Gate
Cost? See current ticket prices
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples

Explore the Jewish Quarter or Nachlaot on a guided menorah walk. Ask about the tour language, route, steps, and age guidance when booking. These are residential neighborhoods: keep doorways clear and ask before photographing residents.

Get to know the Jewish Quarter through its menorah-lighting traditions. This Jerusalem Outside the Box tour explores the stories behind the candles and the differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardi customs, adding cultural context to an evening in the Old City.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Jewish Quarter and the surrounding Old City area
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples

Follow the light of menorahs through the Jewish Quarter while hearing stories of miracles and heroism. The organizer's route ends at the Davidson Archaeological Park, where candle lighting, music, and a hot drink bring the walk to a festive close.

The tour starts near Jaffa Gate and lasts approximately two and a half hours. The route includes steps and is not stroller-accessible.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Jewish Quarter, with the tour ending at Davidson Archaeological Park.
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples

Lantern light reveals a different side of the Tower of David citadel. This family tour combines the setting of the ancient fortress with Hanukkah stories, games, and shared candle lighting.

The lantern tour is a separate activity from regular museum admission and the Night Spectacular.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Tower of David, beside Jaffa Gate
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples

Stories, games, and riddles give children a way into the traditions of Hanukkah. Traveling Jerusalem's family menorah walk brings the holiday into the lanes of the Jewish Quarter, combining an evening outdoors with a closer look at the candles and their stories.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples, children

A guitar-accompanied walk brings music to the menorahs of the Jewish Quarter. Gal Klil Hahoresh combines Jerusalem songs with explanations of holiday customs and shared candle lighting, offering a musical approach to an Old City evening.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Old City, Jerusalem
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples, children

Nachlaot's courtyards and neighborhood streets offer an intimate setting for Hanukkah. The Lev Ha'ir community celebration brings together candle lighting, songs, and local stories, with the neighborhood's character at the heart of the experience.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Nachlaot, Jerusalem
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples

Make room for a daytime discovery between candlelit evenings. Museums and creative activities offer different ways to explore Jerusalem, with options for families, couples, and curious visitors.

A lantern-lit visit adds an evening atmosphere to the history of Mount Herzl. The Herzl Museum's holiday tour explores stories of vision, remembrance, and national history along the mountain's paths.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Herzl Museum, Mount Herzl
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Children from the age of 10, families, couples, groups

Explore the cultures of the ancient Middle East at the Bible Lands Museum, where artifacts and exhibitions bring the region's history into focus. It is a quieter daytime stop that adds context to the layers of history around you in Jerusalem.

The museum offers guided tours in English and Hebrew, along with self-guided family activities. The Tales of Shamshi activity booklet is available in both languages.

When? Regular visits Sunday-Friday (closed Saturday); confirm Hanukkah hours
Where? 21 Shmuel Stefan Wise Street, Museum Row
Cost? See current admission and activity prices
Who is it suitable for? children, groups, families

At the Bloomfield Science Museum, curiosity leads the way. Hands-on exhibits invite visitors to explore illusions, energy, construction, and other scientific ideas through experiments and play. Exhibitions include Point of View, Beyond the Sky, and Horsepower.

Advance ticket reservation is required. The museum currently advises that its elevator is out of service during upgrade work. Visitors who need elevator access should contact the museum before booking.

When? Regular visits Monday-Thursday and Saturday; confirm Hanukkah hours
Where? 3 Sderot HaMuze'onim, near Givat Ram
Cost? See current admission and activity prices
Who is it suitable for? Families, groups

Discover the craftsmanship behind fine jewelry at the YVEL Design Center. Its year-round guided experience introduces visitors to the production process and the Megemeria School of Jewelry and Art, combining design with the people and skills behind each piece.

When? Year-round tours by advance booking
Where? YVEL Design Center, Motza.
Cost? NIS 35 for the regular guided tour
Who is it suitable for? Individuals, groups, families, couples, art lovers

Working with glass turns a creative outing into a hands-on encounter with heat, color, and shape. Yael and Loch's private workshops offer close instruction, with holiday-themed projects such as dreidels among the possibilities.

Choose a session that suits your group's ages and interests. Group rates and supplements for some sessions apply.

When? By arrangement; Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced
Where? Yael and Loch's studio, Jerusalem.
Cost? NIS 1,300 for an individual or couple (standard rate; supplements may apply)
Who is it suitable for? Families, children, couples, groups

Choose a teddy bear, stuff it, and add a beating heart or a recorded message at Shalva's inclusive DubiDo workshop. Led by adults with disabilities, the activity combines making a personal keepsake with a shared creative experience.

Group discounts are available through Shalva.

When? By arrangement
Where? Shalva, Jerusalem.
Cost? From NIS 149 per person (standard rate; group discounts available)
Who is it suitable for? Families, groups

Ancient lamps offer a window into everyday life long before electric light. For families interested in archaeology, the National Campus for Archaeology brings the objects and stories of the past into focus. Hanukkah provides a fitting theme for exploring how people once lit their homes and public spaces.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? National Campus for Archaeology, Jerusalem
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Children aged 6-12.

Add variety to your holiday visit with an outdoor outing, a family activity, or a meeting with the people behind Jerusalem's neighborhoods.

The First Station brings food and culture together in one Jerusalem complex. Its Hanukkah celebration is a place to look for candle lighting, music, and children's activities, with restaurants nearby for a meal before or after your visit.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? First Station complex, Jerusalem
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Children, families, groups, individuals, couples

Add a wildlife outing to your holiday visit at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. A day among the animal exhibits offers a different pace from the Old City streets. Look for family activities when planning your visit, and leave time to explore the zoo rather than rushing between stops.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Children, families

Take a break from the historic streets at the Israel Aquarium, where aquatic exhibits and an underwater tunnel introduce another side of the natural world. The campus also includes the Biodiversity Exhibit and Butterfly House.

Reserve your selected date in advance. Admission ends two hours before closing, and winter opening hours may differ from the summer schedule.

When? Check current opening hours and reserve your selected date
Where? 3 Aharon Shulov Street, Jerusalem
Cost? See current admission and activity prices
Who is it suitable for? Children, families

Explore Jerusalem's modern history at Ammunition Hill, where heritage exhibits provide the setting for holiday activities. A family visit combines time at the site with the seasonal program.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Ammunition Hill, Jerusalem
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? Groups, families

See Jerusalem from a different perspective on an EZ Raider outing with Smart Tour. The guided ride combines an outdoor experience with city views, making it an alternative to exploring entirely on foot.

Ask the operator about the route, meeting point, rider requirements, and weather policy when arranging your outing. Rates may change by season.

When? By arrangement
Where? Jerusalem; confirm the route and meeting point with Smart Tour.
Cost? NIS 320 per rider; NIS 159 for a child rear-seat passenger (standard rates)
Who is it suitable for? Groups, families, couples, adventure lovers

Meet Jerusalem through the people who call it home. Women and Stories in Jerusalem brings visitors into personal conversations and home hospitality, with neighborhood stories and traditional treats adding another dimension to a holiday visit.

When? Hanukkah 2026 dates and times to be announced.
Where? Participating homes in Jerusalem
Cost? 2026 ticket prices to be announced.
Who is it suitable for? individuals, families, groups

Stay overnight to enjoy an evening walk without rushing the whole city into a day trip. Browse Jerusalem hotels and choose a base that works for the neighborhoods you want to explore.

Bring layers for winter evenings, check transportation around Shabbat, and confirm the language and accessibility of each booked activity. The Science Museum currently warns of an elevator outage, so contact it before booking if you need lift access.