Israel is a hotspot for pilgrims and tourists alike all year long. Christmas in Israel is a holy, exhilarating, and wholesome experience that many people around the world crave. This is why the country gets return visits from many tourists. The holy land has a lot to offer its tourists, with something for every kind of traveller. With booming tourism during December and January, the tourists also get a chance to mingle with locals and people from all over the globe.
Top Things To Do During Christmas In Israel
Israel may not be a big country, but it has so many things to offer its visitors, that it becomes a doozy deciding what to do and where to visit. We bring you a list of 8 best things to do during Christmas in Israel. Take a look:
1. Bethlehem: Recite holy songs
This one’s a no-brainer. Bethlehem is the holiest of the holy places for Christians worldwide, the most visited spot in Israel by a long stretch. The birthplace of Jesus Christ, the city of Bethlehem doesn’t fall under the control of Israel but the Palestinian National Authority. While you are here, know all the facts about Christmas in Israel.
This doesn’t mean that the place is hard to reach, though. It is one of the most popular Christmas traditions in Israel to walk from Jerusalem to Bethlehem during Christmas, reciting holy songs and entering the spirit of Christmas. It hardly takes two hours on foot or 20 minutes by bus; you only require your passport.
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2. Nazareth: Visit the Greek Orthodox Church
What better place to visit during Christmas than the hometown of Jesus Christ? Nazareth has long been one of the most visited spots in Israel. The whole city is lit with Christmas decorations, and the town is always festive. The town has many things to do around Christmas, like the all-day Christmas market, where you can buy many local goodies and souvenirs.
For hardcore shoppers, there’s the BIG mall at the entrance of the Christmas market. You can also witness the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, another Christmas tradition in Israel. Then, the masses run all day on Christmas day, but the main attraction is the midnight mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation.
3. Israel: Hog on street food
Have you fulfilled your trip to the Middle East without tasting the local street food? During Christmas, all the food vendors and restaurants come out with their best food to offer their visitors, with delicacies ranging from Mughlai to Afghani to Indian. The country’s best Christmas food in Israel is the best for its visitors.
The most famous dish is Hummus, served with hot pita bread, which is the speciality of every local food vendor around the country. Falafels are also a renowned street food, which the country’s vendors have their own take on. Tahini is the best of them all, though. You’ll find that this is a local favourite dish and a speciality dish in Israel. Every city in Israel has a fantastic street food culture, which they are very proud of. During Christmas, you will find more crowds in street vendor’s shops than in restaurants.
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4. Haifa: Celebrate multiple festive holidays
Haifa is famous for celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, and Eid-al-Adha. It is one of the most unique experiences during Christmas in Israel and has become the city’s biggest attraction. All the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities unite harmoniously and celebrate their festivals.
The activities happening here during the Holiday of Holidays Festival symbolize the mutual respect between the city’s six religions. The activities include a circus, music from all ethnicities, art fairs, and authentic local delicacies prepared by the people of Wadi Nisna, among many others. While you are here, explore all the things to do in Israel for a fun gateway.
5. Jerusalem: Take a stroll through its streets
The closest city to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, is also an excellent choice for Christmas. The YMCA organises many services for the people, with celebrations and carol singing in full gear. Other churches also participate in that, making it a very diverse affair. However, the most important thing to do in Jerusalem during Christmas is visit Rachel’s tomb.
You cannot enter the tomb from Bethlehem, but the Israeli side in Jerusalem allows entry through a fortress. Apart from these things, you can also shop for fantastic woodwork in the local market. Many local wood carvers do some excellent work out of olive wood carving, making fantastic souvenirs to take away from here.
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6. Tel Aviv-Jaffa: Take a tour
Head to Tel Aviv, Israel, for a diverse Christmas experience. The Old City of Jaffa is known to host the most varied crowds during Christmas in Israel. Christmas isn’t like in any other place in the country, with the city going bonkers with its festivities.
There are many things to do around the city, all covered with Hanukkah Menorahs and Christmas trees. The Night Light Festival has impressive light shows, live performances, fireworks, art presentations, and more. Then, there are Winter Opera performances by local artists, which attract a large crowd. There’s also the lighting of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Christmas tree, which is a surreal sight to behold in front of your eyes.
7. Galilee: Attend the winter festival
Want a Christmas marked by non-stop drinking and stuffing yourselves with food? Galilee is the place for you. The small villages in Western Galilee have so many things to offer visitors during their Winter Festival that it almost seems unreal. The Winter Festival, running from 20th to 22nd December, attracts a big crowd. The main attraction of this festival is the famous Galilean Christmas run, which aims to bring sports and cultural causes together.
People from all over the country come to participate in it, which involves a run on a fantastic track through the mystical alleys of Mi’ilya. The villages also have live concerts, culinary tours, carolling, group singing, storytelling sessions with locals, and much more. Galilee may not be a top spot on the list of travellers, but it embodies the Christmas spirit better than anyplace else in Israel.
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8. Israel: Pass Christmas Greetings
This is perhaps one of the most fantastic things to do during Christmas in Israel. The families and tourists here can go home to home to give Christmas greetings to them and in return, get a glass of liquor or some candy. As the weather in Israel at Christmas stays lovely, you can also enjoy sightseeing.
This tradition has been running in Israel for a very long time. While initially it was just done by local families, nowadays tourists have begun to indulge in it, too. This gives the visitors a fantastic chance to mingle with the locals and taste the country’s culture. You can also see people dressed up as Santa, knocking on the doors for donations for the various national charities run by the government of Israel.
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These eight activities truly make spending Christmas in Israel worthwhile. Spending Christmas Eve in Israel is the best holiday present you can give yourselves. Israel is the most visited country in the world around this time. It should not be a surprise as it is the holiest country for Christians worldwide. Pack your bags, book your trip to Israel and take a hard look at this list to gift yourself a much-needed break this festive season.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Israel
What is there to do in Israel in December for Christmas?
The Best Experiences To Have In Israel In December: 1. Experience Hanukkah. 2. Go skiing at Mt. Hermon. 3. Experience the nightlife in Tel Aviv. 4. Enjoy Hamshushalayim. 5. Explore the mountain fortress in Masada. 6. Party on New Year’s Eve. 7. Dance away your blues. 8. Check out the Hullegeb Israeli-Ethiopian festival.
Is Israel warm in December?
Israel can be cold and rainy in December, January, and February. Still, it can also be warm and sunny.
What is Christmas called in Israel?
In Hebrew, Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Chag Molad Sameach’ (חג מולד שמח), which means ‘Happy Festival of the Birth’.
Do they celebrate Christmas in Jerusalem?
The city, in particular, the Old City’s Christian and Armenian quarters, become adorned with decorations, while other Jerusalem landmarks, such as the YMCA and the city’s churches, celebrate with services and carol concerts.
Is Christmas a good time to visit Israel?
The best time to travel to Israel is late February through March. The weather is fantastic, the prices are low, and the biggest bonus of all—the entire country is blooming after the winter rains.
What is the coldest month in Israel?
The winter months of November to March are the coldest in Israel, with snow in the northern reaches of the Golan Heights and occasional snowfall in Jerusalem.
When is Christmas celebrated in Israel?
Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate on December 25, Orthodox Christians celebrate on January 6, and Armenian Christians celebrate on January 18.
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