Sukkot Events Around Israel: A Time to be Happy

No matter where you go in Israel during the week-long festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) you will find a festive atmosphere, sukkah booths at hotels and most restaurants. There are also many events and happenings this week for absolutely every kind of taste and for all ages. As Israeli children are off from school there are many events and happenings geared to the kids.

Jerusalem

The main Jerusalem event is the annual Jerusalem March and Parade.

Temple Mount Sifting Project – September 20-27, 2013

Would you like to sift through dirt that contains archaeological remains from the first and second temple periods? You may discover a gold coin! This is not physically difficult, but involves sifting for two hours. This project is located in Emek Zurim National Park which can only be reached by private vehicle. You can take bus to Hebrew University, Mount Scopus and then walk 20 minutes to the park. See Directions. You must book in advance.

Tel Aviv – Gush Dan

Disney on Ice

What child does not like Disney characters? Here they are: Tinker Bell, the Little Mermaid, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, the Lion King and Speedy McQueen gracefully gliding along the ice. If you love to see real professional ice skating you will love this. The two hour shows called “World of Fantasy” Will be September 20, 21, 22 in four performances at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv. Tickets are from NIS 99 to NIS 399. For further information phone *2207.

Events in Ariel Sharon Park

Free Entrance – Free Guided Tours – Safari Tours for Families

Entrance is free to this amazing beautiful park located in the heart of Gush Dan that was once the main garbage dump with stench pervading for miles. This is really a recycled ecological miracle that has transformed a stinking garbage area into the largest park in Gush Dan. Located between Tel Aviv, Or Yehuda, Holon and Azur this is the largest urban park in Israel located on 8,000 dunams of open space that includes 25 kilometers of bicycle paths, 155 species of wild birds, fields and streams.

Free guided tours of the park are offered every hour from 9:00 am-12:00 noon and in honor of the Sukkot holiday from September 22-24, 2013, will be tours for families in special safari trucks.

Go South!

Dead Sea

Tamar Music Festival at Masada, Botanical Gardens of Ein Gedi and Kikar Sodom, September 21-25, 2013

The desert is known for its utter silence but also has fantastic acoustics. Masada is one of Israel’s most popular tourist attractions overlooking the Dead Sea, and you can enjoy hearing some of Israel’s most popular musicians like Dag Nachash, Ehud Banai, Shalom Hanoch, Mosh Ben Ari, Idan Reichel, Erez Lev Ari, Matisyahu, Avraham Tal and more. For information about tickets phone: *6226 or (02) 623-7000.

Performances at Ein Gedi and Kikar S’dom are free!!

At Ein Gedi will perform Shem Tov Levi, Esther Rada and Danny Robas. At Kikar Sdom you can hear Leah Shabat, Itay Borba, Hami Rodner and more.

Negev

Science Festival – for the Kids – Carasso Science Park, Beer Sheva

This amazing interactive museum is a virtual paradise for children of all ages. For more information phone: 08-6252600.

Ancient Susiya Festival, September 22-23, 2013

Susiya is an ancient Jewish village in the south Hebron Hills and today is the site of both an Arab village and a Jewish settlement. There are fascinating ruins here of an ancient synagogue. The popular Israel singer Ehud Banai will perform in a concert here on September 22 at 7 pm. For further information phone: 159950751.

Go North – Galilee

Haifa International Film Festival (HIFF), September 19-28, 2013

The 29th HIFF held on beautiful Mount Carmel in Haifa overlooking the Haifa Bay of the Mediterranean Sea is Israel’s largest cinemateque event and attracts people from all over Israel and abroad, especially professionals in the film industry. Click here for a list of the films, more information and tickets. Also phone: (04) 633-9424; (04)810-3471.

Did You Know?

Sukkot was also an agricultural festival celebrating the harvest and you can visit the Paprika Festival in Bethlehem of the Galilee, Bethlehem ha’galilit from September 19-28 at the Spicy Way Herb and Spice Farm and get a free tour. Tours are offered during the hours 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Spice Shop is open from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. You can also visit the beautiful kosher red paprika sukka. There is also a paprika show for children for NIS 10.00. If you want to participate in harvesting peppers like the ancients did you can also do this and fill up a basket of peppers. For further information phone: 04-9533212.