Christmas in Israel offers pilgrims and visitors a very special and unique festive and spiritual experience, with the opportunity to spend Christmas in the ancient city of Jerusalem, to participate in Christmas festivities and Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth and visit the many Christian sites in the Galilee as well as participate in the Holiday of Holidays Festival in Haifa.
December 24th, Christmas Eve Concert
The Jerusalem International YMCA is one of the oldest landmarks in Jerusalem. The historic building has always served as a center of culture, sport and a place of reconciliation since its establishment in 1878 and is one of the main bastions for Christmas celebrations in Jerusalem.
This year’s Christmas concert hosts: Prof. Gaby Shefler in a unique performance of the Tower bells (carillon), the Oratorio Chamber Choir, the Bel Canto Choir, the Jerusalem Armenian Choir and the Jerusalem International YMCA Youth Choir. At the conclusion of the musical celebration, there will be a sing-along and the conductor will lead the audience in familiar hymns of Christmas Eve.
Christmas concert will be on Saturday night, December 24th at 20:30 in the Auditorium.
Haifa
Throughout December Haifa celebrates for the 23rd time a unique and special event, the "Holiday of Holidays" festival. This exclusive holiday combines the celebration of three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. "Holiday of Holidays" activities are held during the weekends, and they symbolize the values of coexistence, living together in peace and harmony, and mutual respect of all six religions in the city, joining the residents' lives and fate together. The festival is an initiative of Beit Hagefen – an Arabic-Jewish cultural centre – and Haifa Municipality, who founded the festival in 1993. The holiday takes place in the Arab Wadi Nisnas neighborhood and extends to the German Colony at the foot of the Baha'i' Gardens.