Hanukkah Events in Israel: December 4th-12th, 2026

Hanukkah in Israel is a magical time. Events are happening all over the country, schools are on holiday, and families are busy exploring the country and celebrating the ‘festival of light’. This year, in 2026, Hanukkah will begin on December 4th and continue for 8 nights until December 12th.

Events During Hanukkah in Israel

Check back to this page later to see 2026’s special Hanukkah events.

Local candlelightings and festive treats: Experience the magic of Hanukkah in Jerusalem as you wander through the city’s most traditional neighborhoods, where glowing candles illuminate the ancient stone streets. Along the way, enjoy festive Hanukkah treats, including warm, sugary sufganiyot, for an authentic taste of the season.

Looking for another unforgettable culinary adventure during your trip? Join our Tel Aviv & Carmel Market Tasting Tour, where you’ll stroll through the city’s exciting neighborhoods, indulge in delicious local delicacies, and discover the rich culinary culture that defines Tel Aviv.

Throughout December - the Holiday of Holidays in Haifa will offer festivities to celebrate the major festivals of its Jewish, Christian, and Muslim residents, during Hanukkah, Christmas, and Ramadan. Nearly every day of the month, and especially on weekends, there are concerts, exhibitions, tours, shows, and conferences.

Light up Tel Aviv- an exciting Hanukkah event that includes live music, a unique workshop for kids, and a menorah lighting.

At the annual Hanukkah Torch Relay, people line the road from the city of Modi’in to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, passing a burning torch from hand to hand. The torch then lights the giant Hanukkiah (menorah) at the Western Wall. Modi’in is believed to have been the home of Hanukkah’s heroes, the Maccabees, and the place where the Maccabean revolt began.

Visit the Ein Yael Museum in Jerusalem during Hanukkah to experience the annual Ein Yael Oil Festival. Make olive oil the old-fashioned way alongside different activities.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority offers all sorts of activities and events during Hanukkah. They encourage families to take hikes and lead storytelling activities and environmentally oriented activities for kids, like making ecological hanukkiahs.

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel offers a range of Hanukkah events for the whole family. Guides lead groups through some of Israel’s finest nature.

Museums

Hanukkah is the festival of oil, so where better to start than at the Museum of Edible Oil Production (2 Tuviya Street, Haifa Bay) in Haifa? In a country overflowing with museums of every size and nature, the holiday is a great time to pack the family and get cultured. Almost every museum offers special holiday activities for the whole family.

The Tower of David Museum always offers something special for Hanukkah, as do the Israel Children’s Museum in Holon, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, among many others.

Adventure Across Israel This Hanukkah

Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Hanukkah in Tel Aviv, or Hanukkah in the North of Israel, it will truly be a magical holiday. Ultimately, the best way to explore Israel’s enchanting cities is on our Israel Package Tours. You’ll journey through iconic landmarks in the historic old city of Jerusalem and the serene Negev Desert, while we plan all the details-inclusive transfers, expert tour guides, exciting activities, and comfortable hotels.

See all Israel Package Tours