Annual Events and Festivals in Israel
Israel has a full calendar of festivals, and many of them are free. Here are the yearly events I plan my year around, as a photographer and as someone who simply loves the city at night. Dates change every year, so always check the official page.
Spring and summer
Docaviv: Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival
Ten days of documentaries from Israel and the world. In 2026 it ran from 28 May to 6 June.
When: Late May to early June
Where: Tel Aviv Cinematheque, Tel Aviv Museum of Art and other venues
Cost: Paid tickets
Where: Tel Aviv Cinematheque, Tel Aviv Museum of Art and other venues
Cost: Paid tickets
International Museum Day
One day when more than a hundred museums all over Israel open for free. Israel has no national "Night of Museums", so this and White Night (below) are the closest thing.
When: Around 18 May
Where: Museums all over Israel; the list is on the Israel Museums Association site
Cost: Free
Where: Museums all over Israel; the list is on the Israel Museums Association site
Cost: Free
HaPisga outdoor cinema in Old Jaffa
Free open-air screenings of classic and cult films on the lawn of the amphitheatre in Gan HaPisga, with the sea behind you. Bring a blanket, snacks and your own popcorn, and come early.
When: Every Wednesday at 21:00, from May through the summer
Where: Gan HaPisga, Old Jaffa
Cost: Free
Updates: @old_jaffa
Where: Gan HaPisga, Old Jaffa
Cost: Free
Updates: @old_jaffa
Jerusalem Festival of Light
For a week, artists from Israel and abroad cover the walls and alleys of the Old City with light installations and projections. About a quarter of a million people come. A dream for night photography.
When: A week in June, every evening 20:00–23:00 except Friday
Where: Old City of Jerusalem; maps are handed out at Jaffa Gate
Cost: Free
Where: Old City of Jerusalem; maps are handed out at Jaffa Gate
Cost: Free
White Night Tel Aviv (Laila Lavan)
One night when the whole city stays awake: hundreds of concerts, screenings, exhibitions and parties, and museums such as the Tel Aviv Museum of Art open free all night. It celebrates Tel Aviv's UNESCO "White City" status.
When: Usually at the end of June (in 2025 it moved to 28 August), so check each year
Where: All over Tel Aviv
Cost: Mostly free
Where: All over Tel Aviv
Cost: Mostly free
Jerusalem Film Festival
Israel's main international film festival, with premieres, competitions and guests from abroad.
When: July (2026: 9–19 July)
Where: Jerusalem Cinematheque
Cost: Paid tickets
Where: Jerusalem Cinematheque
Cost: Paid tickets
Autumn
Haifa International Film Festival
A big film festival held every year during the Sukkot holiday.
When: Sukkot, September or October
Where: Haifa Cinematheque and other venues
Cost: Paid tickets
Where: Haifa Cinematheque and other venues
Cost: Paid tickets
Open House Jerusalem (Batim Mibifnim)
For two weekends, private homes, historic buildings, construction sites and hidden places open to the public with tours by architects and owners. In 2026 it celebrated its 20th year with more than 150 events.
When: Two weekends in October
Where: All over Jerusalem
Cost: Free, but most tours need registration, which opens about a week before
Website: batim.itraveljerusalem.com
Where: All over Jerusalem
Cost: Free, but most tours need registration, which opens about a week before
Website: batim.itraveljerusalem.com
Jaffa SYNC
Silent film classics with new live soundtracks by Israeli musicians, under the open sky in Old Jaffa. In 2026 there were three nights: New York with hip-hop, Berlin with electronic music and Tokyo with jazz.
When: Wednesdays in October, 21:00
Where: Gan HaPisga, Old Jaffa
Cost: Free
Where: Gan HaPisga, Old Jaffa
Cost: Free
Aliyah Day festival in Tel Aviv
A free evening for new immigrants and everyone else, with music, theatre, workshops and a DJ, organised by the city and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. ANU Museum usually adds its own evening.
When: Around the school Aliyah Day in October
Where: Givon Square, Tel Aviv
Cost: Free
Where: Givon Square, Tel Aviv
Cost: Free
TLVFest: Tel Aviv LGBTQ Film Festival
Ten days of queer cinema from all over the world.
When: Late October (2026: 22–31 October)
Where: Tel Aviv
Cost: Paid tickets
Where: Tel Aviv
Cost: Paid tickets
Tel Aviv Fashion Week
Shows by Israeli designers and a gala evening. For photographers and stylists this is the week to meet designers, shoot street style and get backstage.
When: Late October or November (2026: 8–12 November)
Where: Kremenitzky Complex, Tel Aviv
Cost: By invitation or ticket
Where: Kremenitzky Complex, Tel Aviv
Cost: By invitation or ticket
Red Sea Jazz Festival, Eilat
About 35 concerts by Israeli and international musicians on stages built from shipping containers in the port of Eilat, with boats passing by. After the shows there are free jam sessions until dawn.
When: November (2026: 11–14 November)
Where: Eilat port
Cost: Paid; the night jam sessions are free
Website: redseajazz.co.il
Where: Eilat port
Cost: Paid; the night jam sessions are free
Website: redseajazz.co.il
25.10.2026