The summer holidays allow many families to visit and experience Jerusalem in a way they never have.
With international tourism back again, the city is so excited to host tourists & especially families. With events for tourists and locals, there is something for everyone.
City Festivals & Special Events
ICE SKATING at the Jerusalem Payis Arena. Locals and tourists wait each year for the Ariel Company to bring Ice Skating to the Capital. This year the rink is located in the large Arena thanks to the Maccabiah games that took place at the beginning of the summer. Rent skates on site.
Food Truck Festival In Gei Ben Himon a great place to taste some of the best flavors of Jerusalem and enjoy an evening of music and fun under the stars outside the Old City.
Hutzot Hayotzer – the annual arts and crafts festival will take place in the Sultan’s Pool and will include live concerts each evening. Click here for a full schedule and to book tickets.
The International Puppet Festival run by the Train Theater – who knew puppet theater could be fun for kids and adults! Check out the full schedule of events.
At the Ein Yael Summer Festival costumed actors will greet you and welcome you to the ancient Roman marketplace. Visitors can walk down the market street and meet different craftsmen as they work. Enjoy live music around the bonfire, family theater in the outdoors, and many spots for family picnics.
Summer Museum & Theater Events
Dinosaurs at the Botanical Gardens – Your kids will love to see the life size Dinosaurs throughout the gardens as they explore the different interactive stations. The gardens can get pretty hot, so plan to go in the late afternoon.
Merchant of Venice at the Theater in the Rough – located in Bloomfield Park (right behind the King David Hotel). The actors and audience move through the park, which becomes the backdrop for the story. There are nine free performances, running from August 8 through to August 25 (with a suggested donation of 40 NIS per person)
360 JLM Jerusalem’s Outdoor Theater Festival will take place between Aug 9-11. Through mediums of dance, mime, theater, puppeteering, music and more, performers will take their audiences on mesmerizing journeys of discovery, through little known corners of the city, with works exploring social issues, Israeli culture and everyday life. Most performances are free.
SPECIAL Predators Tour Behind the Scenes at the Biblical Zoo – in ENGLISH. Sign up in advance.
Nachliel Selavan, affectionately known as “The Museum Guy” has just launched a series of summer adventures for kids in the Israel Museum. Unlock mysteries of the past and the present, and engage your kids in experiential learning on a whole new level.
There’s a summer celebration at The Israel Museum, this August and admission is free for kids. Secrets invites visitors of all ages to join a fascinating quest inspired by their personal secrets, the secrets of heroes and heroines, and of course – the secrets of the Museum. There’s also Teddy Code, a museum-wide scavenger hunt and Family Tuesday’s – a range of free, family-friendly activities including the recycling workshop where kids can create board games, dominoes and puzzles.
The Bible Lands Museum is a hidden gem in Jerusalem. This summer, take a closer look at wall art in their collection through a guided tour full of games and surprises, and to try your hand at the various decoration and painting techniques – the walls of the museum will be your canvas!
No visit to Israel is complete without a trip to the Herzl Museum, where you’ll learn about Zionism and the early years of the State as you follow the characters around Har Herzl. A new exhibition has just opened called Altneuland, celebrating the 120th anniversary since the publication of Herzl’s utopian novel. For the first time ever you can view of the original manuscript of his work in Herzl’s study where it was actually written. Plus, there are a range of different family packages for everyone to enjoy.
The Bloomfield Science Museum is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this summer, with an amazing array of birthday-themed, science-based, hands-on exhibitions and activities for all the family. Among the highlights, for me, is a fantastic treasure-hunt (written as a riddle) which will take you on a journey of discovery through the most iconic museum exhibits of the last 30 years and a huge mechanical art display with a magic cake.
For all you history lovers, the Old Yishuv Museum invites you to step inside the by-gone world of the Old Jewish Settlement. Experience the daily lives of the residents living inside the walls of Jerusalem from the 18th century Ottoman period until the Old City’s fall in 1948.
Throughout August the Museum of Islamic Art is hosting daily workshops, guided tours and plays for the whole family and children’s tickets are just 25 NIS! They also have two incredible escape rooms for younger and older kids.
Pop along to the summer theatrical carnival at the Museum of Italian Jewish Art in the center of town. It’s a three-day festival of theater, with special guided tours of the museum, daily children’s plays, family treasure hunts and even a dress up stand where you can transform into a medieval Italian family and have your photo taken to take home as a souvenir.
Once a year the gates of the Tower of David’s ancient citadel are opened and boys and girls have the amazing opportunity to join the Knights of the Order. Children aged 4-10 years old are put through a series of challenges to test courage, knowledge, strength, skill and agility, before being crowned new Knights.
Summer Activities
There are so many great summer activities that we can’t even possibly name them all. Choose from our featured art workshops, food workshops, adventure activities or experiential tours.
Make sure to check out some of our newly listed activities like EZ Riders at First Station, weekly Hebron Tours, Shmitta Tours in Shilo and Yaara Cacao speciality chocolate workshops and the The Time Elevator which re-opened this summer!
Where to stay?
If you don’t live in Jerusalem then come and spend a few days here with our family. Check out the special offers for Sweet Inn furnished apartment rentals. Gives you a chance to feel like a local in a spotlessly clean, air conditioned, centrally located apartment with concierge services – and maintain privacy for your family.
If you prefer a small boutique hotel then request a quote from the Templer Inn – located just off emek refaim the hotel has 4 family suites and is located in a historic Templer building. Revaya & Alon the original owner’s family will make you feel right at home. Reasonable prices for large family suites.
Where to eat?
Veranda
If you are looking for a delicious and unique place to go out for dinner in Jerusalem this is it! The Veranda at the David Citadel Hotel is a delicious chef’s restaurant. Mehadrin. Menu & Reservations here.
Happy Fish
Have you heard of HAPPY FISH in Mamilla? It’s a fresh-fish and pasta gourmet chef restaurant, using the city’s freshest produce. Seasonal fish include Barramundi, Sea bream, Salmon, Red drum, Sea bass & Bass. Enjoy a magnificent meal with your family on the Mediterranean terrace above the Mamilla Avenue. Open for lunch and dinner. Book here.
PHOTO CREDIT : Kif Tzuba – new rides at Jerusalem’s amusement park.
