Hanukkah Meets Christmas The Cross-Cultural Winter That Awaits Indian Travellers in Israel

December 2025: This December, Israel ushers in one of its most atmospheric holiday seasons as Hanukkah and Christmas unfold side by side, casting a warm glow over its historic cities, coastal districts and desert landscapes. For Indian travellers who increasingly seek immersive cultural journeys and festive winter escapes, the celebrations across Jerusalem, Tel Aviv–Yafo, Haifa, Nazareth, Akko and the southern Arava offer a compelling blend of heritage, storytelling, food, music, and illuminated artistry.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of this seasonal tapestry. The Old City is transformed by menorah lightings at the Western Wall Plaza and by the glow of dozens of menorahs that illuminate neighbourhoods such as Nahlaot and Musrara throughout the eight days of Hanukkah. The Christmas Market at the New Gate, running from 15 to 24 December, adds colour and warmth with its craft stalls, traditional treats and festive souvenirs. Families will find Santa’s House particularly charming; set within a 700-year-old home in the Old City, it remains open through early January and offers a nostalgic holiday experience rooted in local tradition.

The Christian Quarter and the Jerusalem YMCA host decorated trees, prayer gatherings and choral performances that draw both local communities and international visitors. At the Tower of David Museum, special Christmas tours on 17 and 23 December and Hanukkah Menorah tours on 16 and 21 December offer an evocative way to experience the city’s layered history. Contemporary attractions add to the seasonal atmosphere: the Sweet JLM light-and-music celebration along the Armon Hanatziv Promenade; the Winter Dreams illuminated trail at the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, running until 31 January; the panoramic double-decker bus tours departing from Agron Street; and the annual Jewish Film Festival at the Jerusalem Cinematheque on 13 December.

In Tel Aviv–Yafo, the holiday season takes on a vibrant, urban character that continues to appeal to younger Indian travellers and families. Hanukkah brings public menorah lightings, creative workshops, street performances and lively markets. Jaffa, with its historic charm, becomes especially festive with a magnificent Christmas tree at Jaffa Port, illuminated alleys, a traditional market at Clock Square and cheerful parades weaving through its ancient stone streets. The arrival of Lumagica, an international light festival at Yarkon Park, adds a new dimension with large-scale installations, culinary stalls and a winter-carnival feel that continues until 15 January. Independence Park hosts Light Up Tel Aviv, an evening celebration of music, arts, family activities and menorah lighting ceremonies that illuminate the city’s coastal skyline.

Northern Israel presents a series of celebrations rooted in its multicultural identity. Haifa’s famous Holiday of Holidays festival, held from 11 to 31 December, turns the German Colony and Wadi Nisnas into bustling corridors of light, food, art and performance. A festive open-top bus service offers panoramic journeys through the city from 14 to 21 December and again on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, complete with commentary and seasonal ambience. In Old Akko, the Knights’ Halls provide an extraordinary backdrop for the Hanukkah-Christmas celebrations from 18 to 21 December, where markets, music and culinary experiences unfold within the city’s Crusader-era architecture.

Nazareth celebrates throughout December with dazzling illuminations, lively parades, bustling holiday markets and what is recognised as the tallest Christmas tree in the Middle East, positioned near the Basilica of the Annunciation. The Christian villages of the Galilee, including Mi’ilya, Tarshiha and Fassuta, offer intimate, tradition-led celebrations featuring tree lightings, decorated churches, artisan markets, Christmas runs and historic sites such as the Château de Roi in Mi’ilya, all of which create a welcoming and authentic festive atmosphere.

In southern Israel, Timna Park near Eilat hosts its annual Christmas Fair from 23 to 25 December. Against the striking desert backdrop, visitors can enjoy a six-metre illuminated Christmas tree, the international “Circle of Lights” circus performance, festive music, and a winter market offering food, art and seasonal crafts.