Summer 2023 Festival Highlights in Jerusalem

1The summer vacation allow many families to visit and experience Jerusalem in a way they never have.

The city is so excited to host tourists & especially families. With events for tourists and locals, there is something for everyone.

New Activities for Summer 2023!

We’re so excited to share lots of new activities that opened this summer!  Even if Jerusalem is your home-away-from-home, you’ll be amazed at what’s on offer this year.

There’s the fabulous VIP Dead Sea Eco Boat Rides, tours of the Hollander Distillery, and the historic Jerusalem House of Quality which has opened their beautiful space to the public.  If you’re into VR experiences, check out Triumph of the Spirit, a transformative VR journey, at the Mamilla Mall, that brings Jewish History to life.  If Arts & Crafts are more your thing, look into the Upcycling Fabric, or Resin workshops.   There are also also some amazing summer movies at the Jerusalem Cinematheque, and just 30 minutes away, register for a free, family-friendly archeological dig in Gush Ezion, where you’ll be helping to uncover history from the Second Temple period.

Summer’s here and, let’s be honest, it can be really overwhelming and exhausting. But don’t worry – help is at hand! Concierge-Me offers a one-stop-shop for all kinds of assistance for locals and tourists and is now available in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Herzilya. Give Leah a call.  She’s like a modern-day Mary Poppins!

City Festivals & Special Events

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.

Ice Skating Rink – Preparations are underway ahead of the opening of the new ice rink at The First Station, which opens August 1-31.  It’s a great way for all the family to cool off in the scorching heat.  Tickets have just gone on sale.

Ein Yael – Friday’s In Nature.  Every Friday throughout July & August, you are invited to take a deep breath of Jerusalem air and immerse yourself in nature. They have artist booths, crafts workshops, beers, pizzas and even picnic baskets available for pre-order.

Summer Museum & Theater Events

Monsters at the Botanical Gardens – Your kids will love to see the life size monsters throughout the gardens as they explore the different interactive stations. The gardens can get pretty hot, so plan to go in the late afternoon.

Julius Caesar 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)

There are also SPECIAL Behind the Scenes tours, in English, of the Predators at the Biblical Zoo. You’ll need to sign up in advance – space is really limited!

Nachliel Selavan, affectionately known as “The Museum Guy” has just launched a series of  summer adventures for kids. 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.  This year’s theme is Wonders of the Deep where you’ll learn about some of the efforts being made to protect the sea and the world living beneath it.  Throughout July & August they also have Movie Monday’s with weekly screenings of different animation movies (in the museum garden).

The Bible Lands Museum is a hidden gem in Jerusalem.  This summer, they have a special exhibition called the Wheels Go Round which celebrates the innovation of the wheel to the invention of the loop and the ways humans use rotations and circular patterns. Also, they are having a Night at the Museum, which is back by popular demand! And for smaller kids they have a self guided ancient scorcery kit for all the family.

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.

The Bloomfield Science Museum has an amazing summer exhibit. GUT FEELING is the incredible story of the digestive system! It’s an experiential journey within your digestive system, tracing a path that begins at the mouth and winds its way through the intestines.

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 has art workshops, inspired by Islamic art, desgned to develop imagination and artistic ability, and they are great for children of all ages.

The Museum of Italian Jewish Art in the center of town has free, daily, guided tours of the museum and an array of special events and activities for all the family.

And starting August 1st, The Tower of David is offer introductory tours of the new Museum and citadel for children.

We really recommend a visit the Yvel Jewelry Factory and Visitors Center. You’ll learn about jewelry-making, enjoy an authentic Ethiopian buna coffee ceremony, and immerse yourself in the world of exclusive all-Ethiopian Jewish jewelry crafted by the talented artisans of the Megemeria School of Arts. In Amharic language, “megemeria” means “in the beginning“.. It’s a wonderful place to begin your Summer vacation!

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.

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.

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.

Meat & Wine Evenings in the Gush

Neve Ori Farm is hosting weekly Thursday night Meat & Wine evenings in a stunning setting under the stars.  It’s perfect for carnivores who appreciate top-quality cuts of meat.  The hechsher is Glatt and, throughout August, they have special programming too.  The Neve Ori Farm was established in the Gush, in memory of Ori Ansbacher and it hosts a youth empowerment program.

PHOTO CREDIT : Noam Bedein/The Dead Sea Revival Project –  VIP Dead Sea Eco-Tour Boat Rides