Twice every year, the village of Abu Gosh in the Jerusalem Hills a few kilometers west of Jerusalem, usually famed for its hummus restaurants, comes alive to the sound of music. The Abu Gosh Music Festival is one of Israel’s largest vocal music festivals taking place at the festivals of Sukkot (in Fall-time) and Shavuot (in Spring-time). The next Abu Gosh Vocal Music Festival takes place on May 25-27, 2012.

Taking place throughout the summer, the one day Sunbeat Music Festival is Israel’s most innovative Global Beats Festival – one of the only music festivals in Israel to rival the big festivals of Europe. Unlike most festivals, Sunbeat is held in three parts, throughout the summer – in 2012 this will be in June, July, and September, at a beautiful location in the Galilee. Attracting passionate, groovy, and upbeat acts from within Israel as well as internationally, Sunbeat is set to be something to remember. The first Sunbeat Festival of 2012 will take place on June 16, with following festivals in July and September.

The annual Jerusalem Student Day and White Night Jerusalem is an extravaganza of music and cultural events which take place in May each year. The events are centered around the Sacher Park, and attract some of Israel’s leading artists who play in the event which begins after sundown and, as White Night suggests, continues through the night. Jerusalem Student Day and White Night will, in 2012, take place from the evening of May 20 until the morning of May 21. This coincides with Jerusalem Day which is celebrated throughout the city.

Lenny Kravitz has announced that he will be giving a concert in Israel during October 2012. Kravitz, who has never given a concert in Israel before is one of the most noted musicians of recent decades winning the Grammy Award for “Best Male Rock Vocal Performance” four years in a row from 1999 to 2002. He will reach the shores of Tel Aviv as part of his “Black and White in America” tour, named after his latest album. Lenny Kravitz will give a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 6, 2012 at the Yarkon Park. Tickets will go on sale at NIS 360.

Infected Mushroom will give a series of concerts in Israel in May 2012 as part of the annual Student Festival. These include concerts in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Karmiel, Ariel, Beer Sheva, and the Jezreel Valley. Infected Mushroom, an Israeli psychedelic trance and electronic group, are one of the country’s most successful groups of recent times both within Israel and internationally. Now based in Los Angeles, Infected Mushroom’s concerts in Israel come as part of a tour which takes them to Europe, the Far East, and the USA. Infected Mushroom will perform in Israel between May 16-27, 2012.

American rock musician Chris Cornell will be giving two concerts in Israel in July 2012 – in Tel Aviv and the town of Binyamina about 40 minutes north of the city. Known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and lead vocalist for Audioslave, Cornell was ranked number 4 in “Heavy Metal’s All-Time Top 100 Vocalists” by Hit Parader. Chris Cornell will perform at the Shuni Amphitheater in Binyamina on July 16, 2012, and will give a concert in Tel Aviv at the Nokia Arena on July 17, 2012. Tickets are on sale now from the Eventim ticket agency.

Morrissey will return to give a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel in July 2012. Morrissey, whose full name is Steven Patrick Morrissey was the lead singer of 1980′s group, The Smiths. After their break up, Morrissey embarked upon his solo career, and has over the past twenty-five years had a successful solo career. Performing in Israel in 2008, Morrissey will return to Tel Aviv in 2012 to perform at the city’s Bitan 1 club. Morrissey will give a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 21, 2012. Tickets are on sale now.

Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors will be in Raanana, just north of Tel Aviv, Israel to give a concert this June. The duo, who now perform as Mazarek-Krieger exclusively perform songs of The Doors and will be returning to their fans in Israel for the second year running. The Manzarek-Krieger concert will take place at the Raanana Amphitheater on June 23, 2012. Tickets are on sale from NIS 299.

Pop idol Jennifer Lopez (J Lo) will give a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel in 2012, it is expected. Whilst details are not yet confirmed, it is expected that J-Lo will perform at the Nokia Arena in October or November 2012. The concert will be her first in Israel, and will come as part of her world tour launching very shortly. Once more details are available about Jennifer Lopez’s concert in Tel Aviv, we’ll update this page, but be sure to keep following on Facebook and Twitter to know when the news comes.

The Israel Festival is an annual cultural festival which takes place, mainly in Jerusalem, in the early summer. Featuring a vast and ranging selection of events, from jazz to classical music, dance to drama and fusions, it is a celebrated festival which draws both artists and fans from around the world as well as some of Israel’s leading performers. As well as the main events, the Israel Festival includes a host of free performances including street theater and events for kids. In 2012, the Israel Festival will take place between May 23 and June 14.