Yom Haatzmaut 2017 Events in Jerusalem
The first thing you will notice as Yom Haatzmaut is the emotional transition from the sadness of Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Day of Remembrance, to Israel Independence Day, an official national holiday which has become an important day in the Jewish calendar, being celebrated by Jewish communities around the world. Yom Haatzmaut begins at sundown immediately following Yom Hazikaron and ends after sundown the following day. It celebrates the declaration of independence of the State of Israel in 1948, making this the 66th anniversary.
Yom Haatzmaut is held on the fifth of the Hebrew month of Iyar. This year it falls on the evening of Wednesday, May 11, 2016 and celebrations last until the evening of Thursday, May 12.
The state ceremony that brings in Yom Haatzmaut takes place at Mount Herzl, Israel’s military cemetery, by Theodor Herzl’s grave. This year’s theme is Women – Accomplishments and Challenges. Women will be lighting the twelve torches, symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel. As always, the celebration includes soldiers marching with flags creating many formations, hundreds of dancers, many screens and, of course, fireworks. Attendance is by invitation only and it is televised on Israeli channels.
2017 Yom Haatzmaut events will be updated soon
Yom Haatzmaut Eve Events — May 1, 2016
The celebrations around Jerusalem start Wednesday evening, and almost anywhere you go in the city, you’re sure to find some kind of event or party.
Be sure to dress warmly since Jerusalem’s evenings can be chilly. And at midnight, look towards Independence Park (next to King George and Agron streets) for fireworks.
Here is the schedule from 2015. Many of these are recurring annual events, and the times will be updated closer to the 2016 date.
Torch-lighting Ceremony
The official Independence Day ceremony that kicks off the festivities with the lighting of twelve beacons, one for each tribe of Israel.
Where: Mount Herzl, Jerusalem
When: 7:45 pm
Festive prayers at the Western Wall
Festive prayers at the Western Wall followed by dancing with live music
Where: The Western Wall, Old City, Jerusalem
When 8:00 pm
Cost: Free
Alternative Party at the Tower of David Museum
The Tower of David Museum will host the annual alternative party with a wide variety of live performances and music. This year the theme of the party will be “The Tribes of Israel”.
Where: The Tower of David Museum, Old City, Jerusalem
When 8:00 pm
Cost: 70 NIS
Festivities in the city center
This is one of the places to be on the eve of Independence Day. Walk around Hillel, Ben Yehuda, King George and Jaffa streets, enjoying concerts, dancing and lots and lots of people.
Wear clothes that you don’t care about too much since they might get stained by all the foam sprayed at you throughout the night. Also beware you might get bopped on the head with huge, inflated blue and white hammers.
Where: Hillel Street, Luntz Street, Hahistadrut Street and Hahavatzelet Street, Jerusalem
When: 9:00 pm
Cost: Free
Celebrations at Teddy Park
Join an evening prayer, torch lighting, a massive sing-along and dancing in a night of celebration.
Where: Teddy Park, Jerusalem
When: 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
Neighborhood Festivities
If you want to get out of the city center, many of Jerusalem’s residential neighborhoods have their own celebrations with dancing, music and fireworks.
Where: Denia Park, Kiryat Hayovel; Event Square, Yitshak Tunik Street, Pisgat Ze’ev North; Armon Hanatziv Promenade, East Talpiyot; Beit Ross, 27 Najara Street, Givat Shaul
When: Festivities start between 8:00 to 8:30 pm, except Givat Shaul at 9:30 pm
Cost: Free
Yom Haatzmaut Day Events — May 12, 2016
In case this is your first Yom Haatzmaut in Israel, you may as well be warned that an amazingly large amount of barbequing takes place on this important day. Parks and nature reserves are busy with Israelis who set up temporary homes for the day in order to grill their meat as a thanksgiving for this gift of a homeland.
If this is how you choose to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut, grab your charcoal barbeque, your nafnaf (a piece of cardboard or plastic used to fan the coals to a perfect temperature), pita, meat and salads, arrive at the park of your choice early to get a perfect location, and enjoy the Jerusalem sunshine!
If on the other hand, you’re looking for other ways to take in the day, there are plenty of events and many cultural institutions are open for free or with a minimum entrance fee.
Ammunition Hill
Free entrance and various activities, including a Jerusalem photography exhibition, tours and much more
Where: Ammunition Hill (Givat HaTahmoshet) Memorial Site, Jerusalem
When: From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Contact: 072-328-1861
The Israel Museum
Free admission, a special folk dancing show featuring 6 generations of performers, live music and more!
Where: The Israel Museum, 11 Derech Ruppin Street, Jerusalem
When: From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: 072-329-0791
Bloomfield Science Musuem
In a pleasant, well-shaded area, the Bloomfield Science Museum has set up 9 giant structures to teach museum-goers of all ages about materials, size, and strength. Have fun using simple recycled materials to make your own creative additions to the structures.
Where: Bloomfield Science Museum, Shderot HaMuzeonim, Givat Ram, Jerusalem
When: From 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Cost: 10 NIS
Contact: +972-72-3281844
Tower of David Museum
Activities for all ages, live music and a special performance featuring some of Israel’s most notable public figures
Where: Tower of David Museum, Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem
When: From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: Free admission
Contact: 072-3290715
The Yellow Submarine
Entertainment for the whole family, including a circus show for children and various live acts
Where: The Yellow Submarine, 13 Harechavim Street, Jerusalem
When: From 12:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: 10 NIS
Contact: 02-679-4040
Gerard Behar Center
A performance by the Mahol Yerushalayim theater group
Where: Gerard Behar Center, 11 Betsalel Street, Jerusalem
When: 12:00 pm
Cost: Free with advance registration
Sign-up: 02-679-56926
Beit Mazia
A full day of theatrical performances, sing-alongs and more with the Jerusalem Theater Group and the Incubator Theater
Where: Beit Mazia, 18 Mesilat Yesharim Street, Jerusalem
When: From 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Cost: Free with advance registration
Sign-up: 02-623-0002; beitmazya@gmail.com
Old Yishuv Court Museum
Experience a live theater performance and guided tours in a historical and biblical setting.
Where: Old Yishuv Court Museum, 6 Or HaHayim Street, Jerusalem
When: From 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: 02-627-6319
Agnon House
The renowed Agnon house will host various lectures and workshops throughout the Day.
Where: Agnon House, 16 Klauzner Street, Jerusalem
When: From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: 02-5471557
Khan Theater
The “Woodstock Singers” event will feature 4 live performances
Where: Khan Theater, 2 David Remez Street, Jerusalem
When: From 12:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: 072-328-1866
Nature Museum
An outdoor family gathering dedicated to the beauty of flight
Where: Nature Museum, 6 Mohilever Street, Jerusalem
When: From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: 072-329-0730
The Eyes of the Country Exhibition
An exhibition of 68 photographs that capture 68 pair of eyes of Israel’s citizens.
Where: The Jerusalem Theater, 20 David Marcus Street, Jerusalem
Cost: Free
Contact: o2-560-5757
Safra Square photos by Mel Brickman c/o the Jerusalem Municipality
Israel Museum photos c/o the Israel Museum