As a new year begins, there are loads of great events and other things to do in Israel in January 2012. January starts with a bang with cultural, sporting, and music events taking place across Israel despite the massive number seen over the past months, a testimony to the rich cultural life of Israel.

Beautiful winter flowers in the Jerusalem Hills by Flavio@Flickr

Continuing into early January , the Jerusalem Citywide Performance Series will finish its three month series including dozens of performances taking place across the city for an amazingly affordable price of 25 NIS per ticket.

Every Thursday in January, Tel Aviv University will continue to host its amazing range of free lectures, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, and live performances in the Thurdsays on Campus series

The annual Tiberias Marathon, the ‘lowest marathon in the world’ takes place on January 12, attracting runners from around the world who take part in this scenic course alongside the Sea of Galilee.

Jane Birkin will be giving two concerts in Tel Aviv on January 13 and 14.

December 18 sees the Belly Sensation, a colorful and highly successful dance theater production return to the Arab-Hebrew Theater in Jaffa for its third performance in just a few months.

Idan Raichel, one of Israel’s most celebrated musicians will be giving a special concert to launch his new album on January 19 in Jerusalem.

In Eilat between January 19-21, the Red Sea Winter Jazz Festival will be taking place. A spin-off of the highly successful summer festival, this is an event jazz lovers cannot afford to miss!

Janis Ian, the American folk singer of 1970′s fame will be giving three concerts in Tel Aviv on January 20, 21 and 22

Heavy metal group Arch Enemy will be performing in Tel Aviv on January 24.

On December 27 James Blake will have a concert in Tel Aviv. Blake is a British electronic music sensation who has recently been nominated for major music awards and will be making his first visit to Israel.

This article will be updated throughout January with additional events.