Culture
With an annual calendar of special events all over the country, it is worth checking out what is lined up before your arrival into Israel:
Tel Aviv Fashion Week
This special annual event showcases the latest fashion trends from around the world, whilst emphasising the cream of Israeli design, including Shenkar’s own Fashion Department who are invited to present each year. TAFW has been making its mark with recent attention to changing ideals of beauty, promoting a diverse range of models.
Event details March - 4 days - Tel Aviv Port, Hangar 11 - be aware, this a popular event therefore tickets are difficult to acquire
Docaviv
The Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival is the largest film festival in the city of Tel Aviv, and the only festival in Israel dedicated exclusively to documentary films. It is among the world’s leading documentary festivals, with over 100 new local and international documentaries screened each year.
Event details May - 9 days - main screenings at Cinematheque (Tel Aviv) with other events at various locations throughout the city. The festival also hosts the annual event in the Negev and Galilee regions
Midburn Festival
Celebrating ideas of creation, not consumption, MidBurn is widely comparable to the U.S. Burning Man festival. Operating as a temporary "city", it is constructed and organised by individuals who wish to promote an ethos of community, equality and self-expression. In line with the festival’s principles, one must pay an entry ticket, and bring necessary supplies, but the rest is "gifted" in exchange for your communal participation, be that creating an art installation, or cooking a delicious meal.
Event details May - 5 days - Negev Desert
Freshpaint
Freshpaint Contemporary Art Fair, Tel Aviv, is the largest and most influential annual art event in Israel, attracting over 30,000 visitors every year. The fair brings together art lovers, artists, and art professionals, and allows the public to purchase art works by the finest contemporary artists. The fair, which takes place every year in a surprising new venue in Tel Aviv, the beating heart of the Israeli art world, enjoys the collaboration of leading Israeli and international art institutes.
Event details May/June - 5 days - events all over Tel Aviv
https://www.freshpaint.co.il/en
Jerusalem Design Week
JDW continues to be Israel’s leading public design event, with over 30,000 visitors, 200 participating Israeli and International designers in over 40 events, exhibitions and installations, and new collaborations with leading local and international partners. JDW encourages new works with a non-commercial, theme-based emphasis and a cross- disciplinary approach in targeting new formats for exhibitions, performances and events.
Event details: June - 1 week - Hansen House, Jerusalem
The Tel Aviv Crafts and Design Biennale
The Biennale brings together different manifestations of contemporary craft and design in Israel. Shedding a spotlight on the local scene, the Biennale maps the scope of these creative spheres, identifies resemblances and differences, and explores new directions. As such, it presents a challenging perspective on material creation, expanding and highlighting the cultural, social and visual dialogue between art, craft, and design. The connections created between past, present, and future partake in the continually evolving narrative of local material culture.
Event details: around June - calendar varies, check website for details
https://www.eretzmuseum.org.il/
Tel Aviv Pride
Tel Aviv Pride is that time of the year when the city comes to life with vibrant colors, beautiful people and an atmosphere you can't ignore, for a celebration of acceptance, love and joy. The festivities include a huge parade, beach party and special events all over the city, as well as the unmissable Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance.
Event details: June - 1 week - events all over Tel Aviv
https://www.gaytelavivguide.com
White Night
White Night (Laila Lavan) is one of the biggest cultural events of the year. Throughout this celebratory night, dozens of events will take place simultaneously across Tel Aviv, from beach concerts to parties and special exhibitions. Many businesses and cultural centers will stay open until the early hours of the morning.
Event details: June - 1 night - events all over Tel Aviv
https://visit.tel-aviv.gov.il/see-do/whats-on
Jerusalem Festival of Lights
The event is part of a prestigious list of light festivals that take place around the world, in which the public are invited to walk the illuminated routes and participate in a special event that combines the magical atmosphere of the old city with glowing art. Wander the picturesque alleys, displaying spectacular works from Israel and abroad, of fascinating installations, art exhibitions and huge video projections on the impressive buildings of the Old City and its walls.
Event details: June/July - 1 week - events all over Jerusalem
http://www.lightinjerusalem.org.il
Red Sea Jazz Festival
Set in the beautifully unique surroundings of the Eilat Port, the Red Sea Jazz Festival is a one-of-a-kind musical event which brings together Jazz-lovers from all over the country. The event features 9-10 concerts per evening, 6 workshops with guest artists and nightly jam sessions, offering a combination of performances by international jazz artists and local talent.
Event details: Summer edition: August - 4 days, Winter edition: February - 7 days - Eilat Port
Open House Festival
One weekend a year, Tel Aviv opens up private spaces - designer lofts, urban villas, unique synagogues, architecturally significant public buildings, curious construction sites, plazas and gardens for the public to visit, explore and discuss.
Event details: September - 2 days - events all over Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv Dance Festival
Tel Aviv Dance is an annual festival at the Suzanne Dellal Centre showcasing dance companies and choreographers from around the world. Suzanne Dellal’s international stage began as DanceEuropa in 1999, became Tel Aviv Dance in 2003, and has since continued to grow, presenting performances from the world-over alongside local dance companies and choreographers.
Event details: around September - calendar varies annually, check website for details
https://telavivdance.suzannedellal.org.il/
Illustration Week
A series of free exhibitions, special events and illustrations you shouldn’t miss in Old Jaffa Illustration Week, featuring new exhibitors and Illustrators, street artists, multidisciplinary creators and promising young artists.
Event details: November - 10 days - events all over Tel Aviv