Sukkot 2025: Fun family activities in Jerusalem for the holiday

We wish everyone a chag sameach. With the first day of Sukkot falling on Oct. 7 – the second anniversary of the Hamas massacre – it is particularly poignant. More than ever, we have our precious soldiers and our dear hostages in our hearts and on our minds.

Whatever you choose to do, we recommend that you book in advance. (Note: All fees are per person unless otherwise noted.)

Valero Square (Jaffa Street, across from Mahaneh Yehuda) will have hundreds of stalls selling the Four Species, as well as loads of decorations for your sukkah.

Safra Square is home to the largest sukkah in Israel and the main sukkah for the city of Jerusalem. The municipality hosts a Sukkot Festival with workshops for children, speakers, and live concerts.

Choose from three scenic walking routes through Jerusalem, ending at Sacher Park for a lively family festival. Enjoy kids’ activities, inflatables, dance and circus shows, music, magic, and acrobatics.

This Hol Hamoed, explore Jerusalem’s landmarks and hidden gems in a fun race for all ages! Starting at Independence Park, teams follow WhatsApp clues, complete missions, and uncover the city – while supporting Crossroads Jerusalem.

Discover a new exhibition at Bein Hasmashot in the Artist Colony, exploring artistic responses to the mysterious objects created in the twilight of the last day of creation. From video and painting to dance, the works capture the magic of transition.

Jerusalem’s ice-skating rink (with 1,000 square meters of real ice) is back at the First Station. Sessions start on the hour and last 45 minutes.

Many communities in Israel hold second hakafot (hakafot shniyot) on the evening following the holiday, which is the same day as Simchat Torah evening overseas.

American comedian Elon Gold joins Avi Liberman’s popular Comedy for Koby tour, which has been bringing top US stand-ups to Israel for over 15 years. The show supports the Koby Mandell Foundation, helping families affected by terror and tragedy. Now, post-Oct. 7, the need is greater than ever.

Join Yoni and Nina Tokayer for an inspiring musical tour of Jerusalem’s Old City. Enjoy stories in English, music, and a unique Sukkot experience for the whole family.

When: Saturday night, Oct. 11: Doors open 8:30 p.m.; concert starts 9:30 p.m.

Price: Tickets start at $180

The Kite Festival at Pnei Kedem is back! Kites, crafts, bouncy castles, music, and a live show by Shai Tsabari.

All-day concerts with amazing artists, artisans, and vendors, kids’ village, healing village, women’s tent, kosher food trucks, and open bar.

Join international museum educator Nachliel Selavan for a family-friendly tour exploring the festivals of Tishrei – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah – through art, archaeology, and history. Discover ancient finds, Judaica, and masterpieces that bring Jewish tradition to life. Discounted admission included; private tours available.

Get up close with exotic animals and biblical exhibits, including the Hall of Shofars and Art of the Arks. Guided tours in English and Hebrew, plus kids’ crafts and an on-site sukkah during Sukkot. Pre-booking required.

Learn to make your own glass honey spoons in honor of the holidays at a glassblowing and flame-working workshop. Learn about these arts from Yael Vloch, a Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design graduate. Pre-book the workshop. Ages 8+.

This Hol Hamoed, create your own pottery at Kiyor Ceramics with Chaya Esther’s team. Mold and paint Judaica artisanal pottery, home decor, or serving pieces – or try a holiday workshop using lulav leaves for clay impressions. Fun for families, kids (3+), and groups. No experience needed.

Design a unique Ushpizin wall hanging or handmade Judaica at Mandy & Jeremy Broder’s wood workshop. Learn to craft pieces from raw wood to finish. Pre-booking required.

Family tours of the YMCA, children’s theater, sukkah decorating workshops, children’s yoga, bouncy castles, and daily pool and gym passes.

In the Eila Valley, decorate holiday-inspired pieces such as wooden trays, bowls, challah boards, and more at Kakadu’s hands-on family workshop. Meet renowned artist Reut and take home your own creation. Suitable for all ages. Advance booking required.

Step inside a full-scale interactive Mishkan exhibition, with a 3D binocular tour inside the Mishkan, creative workshops, family photo with priestly garments and musical instruments, live actors, and red heifer exhibit. Picnic grove and family sukkot on-site.

The Harvest Festival includes tractor and wagon rides, grape picking and juice making, game tables, toddler zones, pita making, arts and crafts, and archery. Sukkah on site.

Enjoy three festive days filled with tours, costumes, creative workshops, and more. A large sukkah is open for visitors in the courtyard next to the Tower Café.

Highlights include musical headphone tour, family musical quiz, theatrical tours, costume booth, wandering melodies workshop, wind chimes workshop, courtyard games, family tours, and performances for families with special needs.

Guided Tour & AV Experience (multiple languages) – Immerse in Menachem Begin’s life from European childhood to Irgun leader, iconic speeches, and years as prime minister.

Together All the Way: Theatrical Tour (Hebrew) – An actor-led journey through Jerusalem’s past, meeting underground fighters, hassidim, Sephardim, and Ashkenazim.

Escape Boxes – Team up to solve puzzles and recover a “stolen” historical treasure – great for families and groups.

Discover the new National Library’s secrets through puzzles, stories, art, and architecture. Each child receives “A Library Experience” personal activity kit, available in English and Hebrew. Special 90-minute guided tours in English to explore the library’s breathtaking spaces, from the reading halls and automated stacks to inspiring works of art.

Visit the permanent exhibition A Treasury of Words and enjoy two new rotating exhibitions: Flowers: Leafing Through the Collections and Hadassa Goldvicht: To the Internal Libraries.

Take a tour with Robby Berman – a tour guide, journalist, and stand-up comedian.

Capture Jerusalem’s beauty with photographer Nili Auerbach (20+ years’ experience). Explore sites like Yemin Moshe, Mahaneh Yehuda, or the Old City while learning composition, light, and color. Use a smartphone or DSLR, get personal feedback, and take home your best 20 images – plus photos of your group in action.

Celebrate at the JBO, a vital stop for migrating songbirds in the heart of the city near the Knesset. Family activities include Bird Ringing demonstrations in Hebrew; Nocturnal Safari tours in Hebrew; early morning Bird Walks in English; and Feathers & Fur Walks in the Gazelle Valley.

Sip three site-inspired cocktails from THINKERS Distillery while exploring the stories of modern Jerusalem’s builders and dreamers. Evening tours in English. Ages 18+.

Glide through Jerusalem on an EZ Raider. Take the Old City tour or enjoy panoramic views from Armon Hanatziv. Smart Tour also offers bike tours from its HQ near the King David Hotel and bike rentals in Sacher Park.

Learn to create glass artwork and jewelry and more at Susan’s House, a nonprofit that empowers at-risk teens to find their place within society through artistic expression, personal investment, and creative initiatives.

Go off-road in the scenic Binyamin Hills on a guided ATV tour. Safe, family-friendly (ages 4+), and just 40 minutes from Jerusalem – an unforgettable outdoor experience.

Learn about the bravery of the soldiers who fought at Ammunition Hill as you conquer the Omega zip line, tackle the rope ladder and climbing wall, and swing in the sky swing. Ask about snappling (rappelling) down the Old City walls (closed over Hol Hamoed, but open before and after the holiday).

Challenge tours will take you rappelling off the side of the cliff in Gei Ben Hinom with the view of the Old City or down the actual Old City walls.

Create your own clay art in a fun, hands-on ceramics workshop on Emek Refaim Street. Learn hand-building and decorating techniques with stencils and stamps. Perfect for all ages and a great multi-generational activity. Ask about the new Plaster Tablet Workshop.

Create your own glass mosaic art with Roochie in her Artist Colony studio. Using Italian glass and wood bases, participants design uncommon pieces in a 2.5-hour guided workshop.

Enjoy fun, interactive positivity games with Debbie, perfect for families or groups. Strengthen bonds, spark joy, and share laughter together. Available in-person or online.

Take a guided English tour of Yvel’s world-renowned factory. See jewelry making in action, visit the School of Jewelry & Arts, a 19th-century wine cellar, and the Ethiopian village that inspired the Megemeria collection. Don’t miss their new “I Stand With Israel” line.

Learn to make special treats at the Galita chocolate workshops on Kibbutz Tzuba. Kashrut Mehadrin. Reservations required.

This Sukkot, explore the Jerusalem Mountains with licensed jeep guides. Discover ancient ruins, biblical agriculture, and stunning viewpoints while enjoying the fresh mountain air. Great for all ages. Jeeps seat up to 6 people.

Step into the world of Abraham with camel rides, desert hospitality, and hands-on workshops like pita baking, pottery, and mosaics. A special family adventure in the Judean Desert.

King David Riding Stables have a 45-minute magical guided trail through the magnificent hills surrounding the capital (plus a 15-minute tutorial before setting out). Horse riding: ages 9+; pony rides: ages 6+.

Visit two of Israel’s most sacred sites: Rachel’s Tomb and the Cave of the Patriarchs. Walk in the footsteps of our forefathers, pray at these holy places, and meet local residents and IDF soldiers safeguarding Hebron.

Learn how to look for artifacts, sift through dirt from the Second Temple period, and go caving in an unexcavated cave at the Beit Guvrin National Park. Reservations required. Public and private digs available in English and Hebrew.

Jump into 220,000 white balls at this giant ball pit in Sha’ar Ha’ir Mall! With slides, ropes courses, climbing walls, bumper cars, and even a dance floor. It’s fun for kids and adults alike.

Visit Uri Kalfa’s studio and learn about the history and significance of the mezuzah, then hand-carve and decorate your own mezuzah case from olive wood.

Discover the magical world of glass and create an array of holiday-themed pieces and beautiful artworks such as Seder plates, bowls, trays, mezuzot, jewelry, and pictures, with Yael at Artesana. Reservations required.

Nurture your creative side at a resin workshop at the Nicole Friedman Studio in Beit Shemesh. Create color-busting usable art, and experience firsthand what the resin art hype is all about.

In Kfar Etzion, enjoy hands-on workshops for ages 6+. Sign up for glass-fusing, candle-making, or epoxy. A fun, family-friendly creative experience in a cozy indoor space.

Pre-booking required for all workshops.

In Alon Shvut, explore how rabbis and engineers solve modern challenges by blending Halacha and technology in healthcare, security, and mobility. Guided tours in English and Hebrew, with a kosher sukkah on-site. Pre-registration required.

At Israel’s leading security academy, experience commando tourism packages: IDF shooting, Krav Maga, 360 Shoot House, and Urban Combat Simulator. VIP options available.

As per Israeli law, adults use .22 caliber rifles and 12-gauge shotguns; those under 18 use paintball guns.

Pre-booking required for both.

Spend Sukkot in Gush Etzion with arts & crafts, food stands, and activities for all ages.

Explore a hidden desert fortress, open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years!