Israel Calendar by Month — Religious, Historical & National Commemorations

Israel Calendar: Public Holidays, Shabbat Times & Cultural EventsIsrael’s calendar is a living tapestry woven from ancient religious traditions, modern national commemorations, and a vibrant cultural life. Its rhythm is set by a mix of the Hebrew (lunisolar) calendar, the Gregorian (solar) calendar used for civil affairs, and local customs that vary by community. This guide explains public holidays, Shabbat timings, major cultural events, and practical tips for navigating days that affect travel, business, and daily life.

How Israel’s calendars work

Israel uses two calendars side-by-side:

• The Hebrew calendar is lunisolar: months follow the moon, years are adjusted with leap months so holidays stay in their proper seasons (e.g., Passover in spring). Hebrew dates are used for religious observance and many cultural events.
• The Gregorian calendar is used for civil administration, schools, businesses, and most official schedules.

Because Hebrew months shift relative to Gregorian dates each year, major observances (Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot) fall on different Gregorian dates annually. Some national commemorations (Israeli Independence Day) are observed according to Hebrew dates but are sometimes moved by law to avoid conflicts with Shabbat.

Public holidays and national observances

Israel’s public holidays generally fall into these categories: Jewish religious holidays, national commemorations related to modern Israeli history, and a few international or minority-community holidays. Many of these are national days with closures for schools and government offices; private businesses may have varied practices.

Key public holidays:

• Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) — two days in Tishrei (Hebrew month); strong religious observance; many businesses close.
• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) — a 25-hour fast day, the most solemn; public transport shuts down and businesses close; streets are unusually quiet.
• Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) — week-long festival, with the first and last days as holy; many take holidays and schools often break.
• Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah — directly follows Sukkot; includes public celebrations and synagogue services.
• Passover (Pesach) — eight days (seven in Israel’s Reform/Conservative practice two separate days for diaspora) commemorating the Exodus; the first and last days are festivals with closures; for observant Jews, chametz (leavened bread) is avoided.
• Shavuot — festival marking the giving of the Torah, two days in Sivan; includes synagogue services and often late-night Torah study.
• Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) — a solemn day of remembrance with sirens and memorial ceremonies.
• Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism) — national memorial with a day-to-night transition into Independence Day; schools and many businesses close.
• Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) — national celebrations, fireworks, official ceremonies; many public events and closures.
• Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim) — commemorates reunification of Jerusalem (1967); celebrated with parades and ceremonies, especially in Jerusalem.
• Purim — festive, carnivals and public celebrations; costumes, public readings of the Megillah, parties.
• Minority and international holidays — Christian and Muslim holidays are observed by respective communities; some localities may offer closures or services accordingly.

Observance notes:

• Government offices and banks typically close on national and major religious holidays. Public transport may be limited or halted on Yom Kippur and often reduced on Shabbat (from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening) in many places, though some cities provide limited services.
• Some holidays have official “work-free” status; others involve cultural events but do not necessarily close businesses.

Shabbat (Sabbath) times and customs

Shabbat begins at sundown Friday and ends at nightfall Saturday. Exact start/end times shift weekly with sunset and are calculated locally. Key points:

• Shabbat begins approximately 18 minutes before sunset on Friday in many congregations, though traditional start is at sunset.
• Shabbat ends after nightfall on Saturday, typically defined by three medium-sized stars visible or by a set number of minutes after sunset (varies by community).
• Typical Shabbat practices: synagogue services, festive meals (Friday night and Saturday lunch), rest from work, avoidance of driving and operating electronics for observant Jews.
• In large secular cities (Tel Aviv, Haifa), public life often continues on Shabbat; however, many businesses—especially in religious neighborhoods—close or operate limited hours.
• Non-Jewish residents and visitors should be aware that taxis, public transport, and many restaurants may be unavailable in religious areas during Shabbat.

How to find exact Shabbat times:

• Use local synagogue calendars or online “candle lighting” tools for precise Friday candle-lighting and Havdalah (ending) times for specific cities and dates.

Major cultural events, festivals, and seasonal highlights

Israel’s cultural calendar is full-year and diverse—religious, secular, historical, and arts events draw locals and tourists.

• Spring — Passover-related pilgrimages and performances, Independence Day parades and outdoor festivals, Tel Aviv’s vibrant nightlife and Pride events (June/varies).
• Summer — Music festivals (e.g., Red Sea Jazz in Eilat), open-air theatre, beach culture peaks; many cities host film festivals and cultural fairs.
• Autumn — Jewish High Holy Days season, Jerusalem Film Festival, cultural exhibitions.
• Winter — Hanukkah celebrations, menorah lightings in public squares, indoor concerts and museum exhibitions.

Recurring notable events:

• Tel Aviv Pride Parade — one of the largest Pride events in the region, with street parties and cultural programming.
• Jerusalem Film Festival — international cinema screenings and premieres.
• Israel Festival (Jerusalem) — performing arts, dance, and theater.
• Local food and arts markets — year-round, with special market days during holidays (e.g., pre-Passover markets).

Impact on travel, transport, and business

• Plan travel around Yom Kippur (almost no transportation) and major holidays when flights and trains may be crowded before/after observances.
• During national memorials and Independence Day, expect road closures near major events and crowds at public commemorations.
• If you need services (banks, government), consult official holiday calendars; many private businesses—cafés, restaurants in secular areas—stay open on Shabbat and holidays.

Practical tips and tools

• Keep a dual calendar (Hebrew + Gregorian) app or printed calendar to map dates year-to-year.
• For Shabbat times, use city-specific candle-lighting/Havdalah calculators.
• If visiting religious neighborhoods, dress modestly and respect local customs—avoid loud behavior during Yom Kippur and at memorial ceremonies.
• If you require public transport, check municipal transit schedules for holiday adjustments.

Quick reference (common months when major holidays fall)

• Tishrei (Sep–Oct): Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
• Nissan (Mar–Apr): Passover
• Iyar (Apr–May): Yom HaZikaron, Yom Ha’atzmaut (Hebrew dates in Iyar)
• Sivan (May–Jun): Shavuot
• Adar (Feb–Mar, or Adar II in leap years): Purim
• Kislev/Tevet (Nov–Dec): Hanukkah

Israel’s calendar blends sacred time, national memory, and contemporary culture. For accurate planning, check local Hebrew/Gregorian conversion tools and municipal schedules for transport and event specifics.