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Sukkot in Jerusalem 2024 Events

Sukkot in Jerusalem 2024 Events

autor iconBy iTravelJerusalem Staff , October 7, 2024

Sukkot, considered one of the happiest times in the Jewish calendar, comes out 15 days after the Jewish new year and five days after Yom Kippur. It is the first harvest festival of the year, and it also commemorates the 40 years of wandering the Israelites underwent in the desert on their way to Canaan, the promised land. During the time of the temples in Jerusalem, people came to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage (called an aliyah laregel – ascending by foot) for this festival with fruits and other gifts to offer as sacrifices in the temple. Within an hour or two of the fast of Yom Kippur ending, you can hear hammering and drilling around town.

Many of Jerusalem’s residents seize the opportunity to prepare for Sukkot, the Feast of Booths, by building their sukkot, the temporary structures in which Jews dwell for the seven days of the holiday. To be exact, the last day, although attached to Sukkot, is a different holiday, namely the Simchat Torah, the day that celebrates the completion of the annual cycle, the reading of the Torah. It is commemorated with much singing and dancing at synagogues – and even on the streets – with Torah scrolls, throughout Jerusalem, Israel, and the entire Jewish world. 

This year, Sukkot begins before sunset on October 16, and it ends after sunset on October 23. Sukkot is one of the most vibrant times of the year in Jerusalem. Here is an overview of the annual events that take place in Jerusalem over Sukkot. You are more than welcome to come and join in the festivities!

Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) at the Western Wall

photo of Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) at the Western Wall

Mass priestly blessing at the Western Wall with the participation of Israel's Chief Rabbis and the Western Wall Rabbi. 

Read more here>> 

Where: The Western Wall, Old City, Jerusalem 

When: October 20, 8:45 am - 10:40 am

The Jerusalem March

photo of The Jerusalem March

The traditional Jerusalem March is expected to be a main point of interest during Sukkot, and tens of thousands of marchers from Israel and around the world are expected to attend this year. The march will consist of three events - a morning march in nature, a fun run at Sacher Park, and a festive parade on the central streets of Jerusalem. 

The participants of this colorful march are offered a few walking trails of different lengths around the city. Visitors attending the march can choose between three routes of varying degrees of difficulty: 12km, 8km, and 5km long. As usual, this big celebration is held every year at Sacher Park, including stages, performances by artists, a fair with stalls, and activities for children. 

Full details and an updated schedule on the full event page >>

 When? October 21, starting at 7:00 am - 4:00 pm 

High LIGHT JLM: a show in the sky

photo of High LIGHT JLM: a show in the skyphoto by: High LIGHT JLM: a show in the sky

Jerusalem salutes our heroes: the security and rescue forces, and embraces the families of the abductees with a stunning laser show, celebrating the city's history, culture, and unity through light and music.

Sukkot at the Israel Museum

photo of The Israel Museum, Jerusalemphoto by: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem

One of the leading museums in the international ranking, the Israel Museum, invites you to an experiential visit in a different atmosphere and offers a variety of attractions for the whole family - special entertainment with added educational value that is perfect for Sukkot.

The entrance ticket includes a tour of the International Art Garden and all the permanent and special exhibitions currently on display in the museum.

In honor of the holiday, the museum presents exhibits for the whole family and activities for all ages, in addition to the regular impressive exhibits.

The museum's digital guide will explain the exhibits and the game app will take the children on a journey through Jewish communities worldwide. The digital aids are included in the price of admission.

Discounted prices for iTravelJerusalem

Experience Jerusalem Tours with Smart Tour

photo of Experience Jerusalem Tours with Smart Tour

Sukkot is a great time to visit the most authentic Jerusalem neighborhoods and hear their stories! Join Smart Tour's EZ-Raider and bicycle tours on various routes facing the spectacular views of old and new Jerusalem, accompanied by professional guides who will share the city's stories with you in s fun, active way. Smart Tour's vehicles are highly advanced and safe, and the views of Jerusalem and the unique feeling of floating on the EZ-Raider make for an unforgettable holiday.

Recommended Tours for Sukkot:

  • A classic EZ-Raider tour of the Old City of Jerusalem - a fantastic experience of visiting the Christian and Jewish quarters on the EZ-Raider, along with some spectacular sites by the Old City walls.
  • Polly the Chef: A combined culinary tour near the Old City and the Mahane Yehuda Market - an EZ-Raider tour that takes off from the First Station Complex to the Old City to work your appetite, and then going to visit the lively Mahane Yehuda market. With Polly the chef.

The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

photo of Jerusalem Biblical Zoophoto by: Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

The zoo lies within a pastoral valley in southwestern Jerusalem and provides its resident animals with living conditions at international standards. At the zoo, you will find a variety of experiential activities for children and adults, alongside rich information on every one of the animals living at the zoo. 

The Biblical Zoo focuses on maintaining a zoological collection with good living conditions and developing and facilitating educational activities to bring the public closer to nature conservation and the protection of wildlife. The zoo promotes social involvement, conducts research, and participates in national and international projects of conservation, breeding, and returning animals to the wild. It does all this while creating a place for enriching leisure within an atmosphere that emphasizes the values of nature.

When? Shol Hamad Sukkot 

Where? Derech Aharon Shulov 1, Jerusalem, Israel

Israel Aquarium

photo of Israel Aquariumphoto by: Israel Aquarium

A visit to the aquarium includes a passage through Israel’s four seas – the Mediterranean, The Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, and the Red Sea.

On your visit, you will encounter approximately 200 species of creatures that live in the sea at the various spectacular exhibits. You will be able to see up close the famous clownfish, boxfish, groupers, eels, seahorses, soft corals, various jellyfish, sharks, and many others.

At the center of the aquarium is an open ray pool, in which various types of stingrays are. The highlight of the visit comes as you pass through a tunnel that simulates an under-sea visit, with fish and sharks swimming overhead.

When? Shol Hamad Sukkot 

Where? Derech Aharon Shulov, Jerusalem, Israel

Cocoa Forest

A delicious and exciting pralines workshop for Sukkot - create, get inspired, and take home dozens of pralines of your own making!
In the Cocoa Forest workshop, you will prepare dozens of pralines with unique flavors and combinations of your choosing, derived from the amazing variety. Ganache, berries, pistachio, or salted caramel are just some of the flavors that will await you, all 100% pure and natural - a real delicacy.

The praline workshops at the Cocoa Forest Chocolate Boutique are the perfect activity for the family on holiday: discover the sources of chocolate, tour the small factory, and of course taste, fill, and create dozens of pralines of amazing flavors!

The workshop is suitable for children aged 3 and up. The sweetest chocolate experience this holiday!

More information on the full activity page >>

Where? Pevalei Tzedek 2, Jerusalem
When? During the Sukkot Holiday Week

Food-tasting voucher for Machane Yehuda market from "Yalla Basta"

photo of Food-tasting voucher for Machane Yehuda market from "Yalla Basta"

“Yalla Basta” tasting tour invites you to enjoy all the culinary bounty the market has to offer without getting lost among the endless possibilities. Cover all the memorable market hits and enjoy the most authentic Mahane Yehuda experience.

More details on the event page >>

THINKERS

photo of THINKERS

Join the "Milestones" tour of the THINKERS Distillery where you can experience the history of alcohol, watch the finest liquor produced, and get to know what makes it so special.
During the tour, you'll taste everything offered by the distillery, and savor a cocktail made by the house mixologist, with delicious snacks on the side.

And a special bonus! Exclusive 10%discount for I TRAVEL Jerusalem

Coupon code: ITRAVEL10

More information on the full tour page >>

When? During the Sukkot Holiday Week
Where? Agripas 88, Jerusalem

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