Written by Zvika Gasner Koheleth 14-December-2020 (Edited 05-july-2026), Photography by Angela Hechtfisch

Jerusalem’s Christmas 2026

The highly celebrated and crowdy midnight masses will be held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which is located in the old city of Jerusalem Christian Quarter and in the Christ Church that is located next to the Jaffa Gate and David Tower, will attend mass services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Old City in Jerusalem is pretty chilly this time of the year when even snow falling will NOT be taken as a surprise, it is a great place to feel the spirit of the holiday season with Christmas carols singing outside

Jerusalem Botanic Garden, the biggest of its kind in Israel, will hold from 12th of December till 31st an out evening with lights, food stands, and theatrical performances of actors in the spirit of Hanukkah and Christmas. Adult entry fees are 40 Shekels.

Christmas 2026 in Tel Aviv-Jaffa

The Christmas Holiday Bazaar at the “YMCA” in December and the carol singing concert will NOT be held this Corona year.

The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality in collaboration with the Jaffa Orthodox local Scout will place a 15-foot tree in Jaffa Clock Square. The Christmas tree will be lit every night until the beginning of the new year, starting on December 15, between 5:30-8 pm.

In Jaffa at the former American colony at the Immanuel Church on Dec. 24th a Christmas Eve service  19:00 will attend followed by coffee and cake in the Congregation House and at 23:00 Christmas Midnight service will follow.

Christmas in Haifa

Haifa, the city that celebrates the “holiday of all holidays”, uniting the Christian’s Christmas, The Jewish Hanukkah, and the Muslim’s Ramadan & Id-il-fitter, every year during December. Located at Haifa’s German Colony square, next to the city’s harbor, stands a large Christmas tree 12 meters high and is lit every evening. The trees in the German colony’s Ben Gurion Boulevard are lighted with decoration, which is illuminated throughout, and the glowing famous Baha’i gardens slopes. Also in the nearby Wadi Nisnes, all the shops are decorated. Starting the 19th to the 28th December 2026.

Christmas in Nazareth

Nazareth the city where Mary received the gospel of the birth of Jesus so it’s clear that if you are Christian and come to Israel this time of the year, this is the place to be.

The biggest Christmas tree in all of the Mediterranean is at the Ha-Ma’ayan Miryam Square. The annual Xmass market bazaar at the Crowne Plaza hotel (entree fees between 25-40 shekels) and the holiday parade through Nazareth high street up to the city’s main.

Last but NOT least is the traditional mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation (in advance registration is a must) that kicks start at 19:00.