Jerusalem International Ice Festival

2012 saw the city host its first international ice festival – an unusual event to find in a Middle Eastern city. Such was its popularity that an estimated 300,000 people attended. An enormous ice city is created with carefully crafted ice sculptures turning the arena into a fantasy ice world

Venue: Jerusalem's Old Train Station.

Jerusalem Arts Festival

A week of shows featuring artists, singers and dancers are hosted at venues such as the YMCA Hall, the Jerusalem Theatre, the Gerard Bechar Centre and St. Andrew's Church. Performances are by local amateur and semi-professional troupes.

Venue: Various city venues.
Website: http://www.arts-festival.jerusalem.muni.il

International Jerusalem Winner Marathon

A challenging and extremely popular marathon that leads runners up and over the city's hilly terrain and past ancient historic sights. The route passes all the major attractions in the city including the walls of the Old City, the government buildings and the Hebrew University.

Venue: Throughout the city.
Website: http://www.jerusalem-marathon.com/

Israel Independence Day

At the close of War Memorial Day, a sombre and sad day throughout the county, Israelis erupt into vibrant festivities in celebration of the declaration of independence of the State of Israel in 1948. Street parties are held throughout the city and theatres, bars and clubs hold many different events.

Venue: Throughout the city.

Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day)

Jerusalem Day is an Israeli national holiday which commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem and Israeli control over the Old City in June 1967. Celebrations are held throughout the city in the form of festivities, praying in synagogues or lectures on the history and future of Jerusalem and Zionism. It is a controversial day in this politically sensitive city.

Venue: Throughout the city.

Israel Festival

This is one of Israel's biggest performing arts festivals, and while the majority of events are held in Jerusalem the whole country gets involved. There are performances by artists from all over the world as well as the top Israeli performers including classical music, dance, jazz and theatre.

Venue: Various city venues.
Website: http://www.israel-festival.org.il

Jerusalem Festival of Light

The festival is a beautiful and truly unique event. Held in the Old City, it uses light to create a special night time atmosphere. Carefully-designed coloured lights are shone off the ancient relics creating a dramatic and artistic effect and statues are created purely from light.

Venue: Old City.
Website: http://en.lightinjerusalem.org.il

Jerusalem Film Festival

One of the most prestigious film festivals in the country, the annual Jerusalem Film Festival presents an eclectic programme of fiction features, shorts, animations and documentaries by filmmakers from all over the world. Hundreds of films are screened during the 10-day event and there are several prizes awarded to filmmakers and directors in a number of different categories. Past guests and members of the jury have included such figures as Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Robert De Niro and Peter Ustinov.

Venue: Various cinemas.
Website: http://www.jff.org.il

Hutzot Hayotzer

Jerusalem's big annual arts, crafts and folklore festival has been running for over 30 years and is one of the summer's most popular events. More than 150 of Israel's best artists and artisans exhibit paintings, prints, ceramics, metalwork, jewellery, weaving and textiles, Judaica, toys and wood works.

Venue: Hutzot Hayotzer Arts and Crafts Center, Mitchell Gardens and the Merrill Hassenfeld Amphitheater in the Sultan's Pool.
Website: http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/yotzer