The Hanukkah holiday is used to entertain the public thirsty for a little joy. These are the most popular attractions that take place in Eilat, Jerusalem, Ramat Negev and Tel Aviv. By Chiquita Levov
Isrotel Eilat: Classical Chamber Festival
The tradition of the festival “Isrotel Classicameri” continues in its 26th edition, and again this year the festival will be held in collaboration with the Simphonette Ra'anana Orchestra and with the participation of a large number of prominent guest artists. The festival offers a rich, diverse and unique program, as usual over the years. The orchestra's musical director, Omer Meir Wellber, will be arriving from
Hamburg, where he was appointed music director of both the opera house and the philharmonic orchestra. Omer will conduct the festival and will lead the orchestra in two major concerts: one with international violin virtuoso Sergei Krylov (Russia/Italy), and another entitled “Vienna” with renowned cellist Jan Vogler (Germany/USA).
Between 9 and 12 January 2026, in Eilat. More information:
It is interesting to note the fact that despite the difficult times, two of the world's leading musicians in their field will be coming to the festival. Vogler is considered the Shakespeare of the cello in the classical world and this is his first time in Israel. There are very few performers in the world who can make the cello do what is asked of it. Sergey Krylov, who is considered the Paganini of our time as he turns the four strings of the violin into a full orchestra, opened the last season at La Scala in Milan. In addition, conductor, composer and pianist Yaron Gottfried, musical director of the “Ono” music school, will open the festival with a program that will combine Hebrew and French songs. He will also conduct Beethoven's tumultuous Seventh Symphony and the “Opera in Swing” that combines baroque and jazz alongside successful Israeli soprano Einat Aronstein.
David Sebba
David Sebba, the orchestra’s resident conductor, will welcome the “Parvarim Duo” in a nostalgic Israeli program, along with singers Tom Cohen and Daniela Skorka in a special, sensual tango program. Omri Mor, the multidisciplinary pianist, will perform alongside conductor Matan Yona in the “Mozart on the African Continent” program. The Alexander Trio (Nitai Zori, Michal Tal and Ella Tobi) will perform a chamber program dedicated to Haydn and Brahms, and Brazilian Joca Perpignan (vocals and percussion) will transport us to Brazilian music. At the festive gala evening that closes the festival, popular singer Shimon Buskila will appear alongside the festival guests in a surprising and unique encounter with Israeli classics with the Raanana Symphonette, conducted by Omer Meir Wellber. Many more surprises are guaranteed to follow…
Ein Karem Music Festival
Zimbalist
La Zimbalista Music Factory Association is proud to present the fourth Ein Karem Music Festival and this year in the shadow of war, in addition to the performances that will be presented in the courtyard of the Church of St. John in Ein Karem, the festival will extend throughout the country and will also reach Kfar Blum in the north and Tel Aviv. For three days during the Hanukkah holiday, 9 concerts will be presented with the participation of Christian, Muslim and Jewish musicians from Austria and Israel. The festival was founded and musically directed by conductor and percussionist Chen Zimbalista, who has created it with a musical emphasis on classical music with touches of jazz and world music. The aforementioned association, also founded by him, is the producer of the festival and aims to advocate for multicultural music. Between December 27 and 29. More information: https://zimbalistamf.com
Chen Zimbalista says: “This year, reality forced us to change direction. In the face of war, great losses and life shaken, the festival seeks to become a space of encounter and reconciliation where music and sounds help to transcend and not lose hope.” He adds: “Just as the “Music Factory” association arose from a meeting of cultures, this year’s festival was born from a partnership with communities and artists from all over the country. Musicians from the surrounding areas, from Jaffa, Tel Aviv and East Jerusalem. Together, we built an artistic program that echoes the reality we live in: fear and pain together with desire and the ability to dream. It is a journey of music to the heart through the most vulnerable places, believing that sounds have the capacity to provoke correction.”
Timna Brauer
He informs us that regarding the festival program: the Zimbalista Gallery in Tel Aviv will open with “Sounds of Silence,” a concert between electronic music artist Dani Kutner and percussionist Chen, who will play the marimba and various other percussion instruments. And an event entitled “Reconciliation-Peace-Love” with Father Alberto and clerics from the three religions together with the Music Factory Ensemble. With the collaboration of the Custodia di Terra Santa Association, the Magnificat Music Institute and the Austrian Cultural Forum. Other concerts: the opera singer Nour Darwish and the principal musician of the opera orchestra Igor Prog will perform alongside pianist Sasha Ivanov. Timna Brauer will come from Austria to connect with the singers of the “Magnificat Jerusalem”. The musicians from the Gaza Strip will perform original music with the “Music Factory” ensemble.
Desert Sounds Festival
Michael Wolpe
"“Sounds of the Desert” Celebrating its 27th edition, the festival is a festival of original Israeli music. The festival, which takes place during the Hanukkah holiday, is an initiative of the Ramat Hanegev Regional Council, and aims to provide a stage for original Israeli work in all its nuances, from opera and classical music to pop, rock and ethnic music. The festival will open with 2 days of exhibitions of new Israeli music and the memory of those who fell on the Negev plateau, will be open to the general public free of charge. The event, under the auspices of the Union of Composers, brings to the stage performances woven into an extraordinary mosaic of concert music by Israeli composers of all generations and music by creators and performers working in the Negev region. From December 24 to 28, in Ramat HaNegev, and Kibbutz Sde Boker. More information: https://tzlilimbamidbar.co.il/
Michael Wolpe The festival's artistic director states: “The twenty-sixth festival was held a few weeks after the events of October 2023 in the midst of the great crisis we were in, the festival emerged as an important source of encouragement and hope. And here we are again at the beginning of another festival, it is important for us to bring to the festival stage meaningful statements by Israeli artists for their generations, to create together.” Among this year's highlights: the grouping “Kneisat Hasechel" next to Amir Benayoun in a joint interpretation of songs that have become milestones with a new look. Miki Gabrielov with the Raanana Symphony Orchestra in their finest songs.
Amir Benayoun
The “Soundtrack of Childhood”, an interactive musical in which the songs of the most Israeli composer alive, Uzi Hitman, are performed on the 20th anniversary of his death. The Revolution Orchestra and the Rimon School in the show “It is good to sing for our country”, Ariel Horowitz and the “Shemer Sisters”” sing and tell about singer-songwriter Noemi Shemer. Marsh Dondurma in a show for children entitled “Crocodiles in the head”. These and many more.