10 Things to Do in Jerusalem in Winter

Winter is a beautiful time in Jerusalem, as it coincides with Christmas, Hanukkah, Purim carnivals and New Year. The celebrations warm up the atmosphere, so you'll have a great time sampling local dishes and taking advantage of cultural events. The season runs from December to March, with temperatures ranging from 0° to 14°. These are usually the cheapest months for travel, so flights, accommodations and activities are more affordable. In addition, the tourist influx is considerably low, which will allow you to appreciate the monuments in detail.

Winter festivals also add color to this season, if you plan to spend at least 3 days in Jerusalem you can spend the weekend at the Hamshushalayim Festival or the Winter Noise Festival. These are usually events that promote the traditions of the Holy Land, which show the contrast between Christians, Jews and Muslims. The best things to do in the city are waiting for you to be part of unmissable activities, such as Ramadan and Pesach.

Purim, or the Jewish Carnival, is a pagan holiday that takes place between February and March. Each year the exact date is set according to the 14th of Adar in the Hebrew calendar. It is a very joyful day, which adds a touch of color to the winter. Its origin dates back to the Persian domination of Judea and there are a variety of activities for you to learn the full history of the celebration. It is ideal if you go with children to Jerusalem, as it offers children's areas.

I recommend you to go to the Adloyada, known for being the annual Purim parade. It is characterized for being a street party that takes place in Holon, a city located one hour from Jerusalem. It is an ideal plan, especially if you want to take advantage of the best local excursions. Upon arrival you will have the opportunity to appreciate the themed floats, as well as the traditional costumes. In case you can't attend the parade, in Holon there is a float exhibition a week after the carnival celebrations end.

If you prefer to stay in Jerusalem, there are carnival activities in the streets of the Jewish Quarter, so it's the perfect time to consider a visit. It is even likely that you will find people wearing typical costumes, for example masks are a tradition, as it symbolizes the fear that Jews felt when showing their identity in the face of persecution of the community. Additionally, take the opportunity to keep warm with typical Purim dishes such as crepaj, a type of pasta stuffed with meat and onions.

The winter festivals are a great attraction, although the city is quieter at this time of year, these events give it a lively atmosphere. You can sample traditional beers, walk along trails with light displays and learn more about Israel's history and culture.

In addition, many are held during the Sabbath, which takes placefrom Friday afternoon to Saturday night. During these hours many stores, churches and monuments are closed, as Jews retire to pray, fast and rest. If you don't want to waste a minute of your trip, you can take advantage of the weekend festivals.

Experience the Hamshushalayim Festival

In December you can take advantage of the Hamshushalayim Festival, which spans four week ends and begins at the beginning of the month. Specifically, you'll find activities from Thursday through Sunday that include:

• Interactive, guided tours of local culture and history.
• Excursions to Jerusalem's best museums, where special events are held. I recommend a visit to the Tower of David Museum and the Israel Museum, where night tours, art exhibits, cultural exhibits and more are offered.
• Live music shows, street theater and open-air concerts and other cultural performances in Jerusalem's main enclaves.
• Hamshushalayim menu tastings, when you arrive at the most popular restaurants you can order the festival's signature dishes and enjoy an explosion of flavors.
• Free events until late at night, be sure to dress warmly.

Take advantage of the Winter Noise Festival activities

There's nothing better than enjoying four consecutive weekends of festivities, with varied and fun winter events. That's why you have to sign up for the Winter Noise Festival or Shaon-horef, an enriching experience that comes to Jerusalem in February on an annual basis. It offers an incredible atmosphere, with activities for the whole family. It stands out for its free attractions, so it is an alternative way to spend time in the city.

Although in December the streets are quieter, with the arrival of this festival the traditional neighborhoods maintain the energy that characterizes Jerusalem. You can enjoy surprises and outdoor performances, cultural presentations, historical tours, art events, traditional dances and craft stores. In addition, you can explore the sounds of Israel that set the country apart from other locations, such as the echo of the shofar, a Hebrew instrument.

Enjoy the Jerusalem Jazz Festival

If you like music, you can enjoy the Jerusalem Jazz Festival. It is an annual event, which attracts musicians from different parts of the world. You will be able to tour galleries, see exhibitions and enjoy live entertainment. This experience will connect you with classical music, as well as new discoveries from up-and-coming artists.

It's one of the best things to do in Jerusalem at this time, as you can also take advantage of cultural workshops, surprises each year and a tour through the history of jazz in Israel. At the Israel Museum you can find music shows, with the best local and international jazz players.

Don't miss the Winter Lights Festival at the Jerusalem Botanical Garden.

Another festival not to be missed is the winter tour of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden. It is inspired by the winter festivals of iconic gardens such as those in New York, Berlin, London and Vancouver. As such, it transforms Israel's mild winter into a wonderland of snow and colorful lights. It usually takes place every night from December to January and offers a tour of almost a kilometer with the company of the local orchestra.

When you arrive at the lake, you will be able to appreciate the light shows on the water. In addition, delicious food accompanies the experience. You can keep warm with sangria or hot chocolate, as well as wet your palate with snacks at certain signposted stops. On occasion, it is often merged with Hannukah and Christmas activities, which adds to its unparalleled charm.

New Year's is a celebration that coincides with winter in Israel, so you can have a great time. People from different communities live in this city, so there are a variety of activities for the whole family. On New Year's Eve the streets remain crowded, so you can enjoy the good atmosphere, have a drink outdoors or attend the New Year's Eve parties.

The Beer Bazaar is usually held in the center for people over 23 years old. It starts at night and becomes the ideal place to taste craft beers, enjoy live shows and try typical food.

On the other hand, if you like big parties, you have to consider First Station Complex's Latin New Year's Eve Party. It's an innovative proposal until dawn with salsa classes, bachata, reggaeton and more. You won't have to worry about your dance partner, as it's packed with people willing to share their culture.

In winter the temperatures usually drop considerably, but that is not an impediment to enjoying the best things to do in Jerusalem. At this time of year you can appreciate the flowering of lupines, a seed with healing properties. Get ready to enjoy this outdoor activity, which will lead you to the famous Lupin Hill.

Lupin Hill is a valley that offers amazing panoramic views of Jerusalem, away from the hustle and bustle. The flowers that tend to grow here are mostly white or a shade of violet. They pile up creating a colorful sweep, where you can take unparalleled photos. Be sure to dress warmly, so you can enjoy the experience and explore the wildflowers to your heart's content. Of course, there are other species to appreciate, as there are around 2,500 native species of flora in the region.

In winter, it is normal to feel more hungry, as the body seeks to regain its normal temperature. The best way to keep your appetite up is to take a gastronomic tour of Jerusalem. Especially during December it is possible to indulge in the Hanukkah menu. This is an annual Jewish celebration that lasts for eight days.

The Jewish quarter of Jerusalem is the best area to taste the delights of Hannukkah, as well as the typical dishes of this community. Therefore, I recommend you consider a walk through its elegant streets, where you can taste Jewish pastries and bread.

Typical Hanukkah dishes

• Blintzes: it is a kind of pancake, filled with a cream based on cottage cheese. Of course, they are very tasty, especially if they are bathed with the traditional rosewater syrup.
• Hanukkah donuts: this is a variation of the traditional donut, which is made with a classic jelly filling.
• Cottage cheese croquettes: when the Jews emigrated, they began to spread their customs around the world and to merge them with other traditions. This is the origin of this delicious dish, as it is inspired by Mexican fried cheese. It is prepared with different cheeses, matzah flour and bread crumbs.
• Fried chicken: it is a Jewish-Italian dish which is accompanied by a marinated sauce.

Typical winter dishes

• Sajlav: is a rather sweet hot drink, which is only sold in winter. As such, it is a Turkish delicacy that was adopted in Israel and is prepared with milky milk, rice, coconut, nuts and other spices.
• Krembo: it is a typical winter sweet, made from chocolate and marshmallow.
• Kubbeh soup: if you run into extremely cold days, you can wet your palate with this Iraqi dish consisting of meatballs in broth.

The Herzl Museum is a must-see at any time of the year, to appreciate the replica of the ancient Citadel and the Dead Sea. Candles are lit here during Hanukkah, in a special ritual that takes place every night. It is an ideal option to keep warm, while enjoying the local traditions.

Also, candle lighting takes place in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Sharim. Where people spread out in the alleys, creating a path of light. Additionally, this activity can be found in other parts of the city, both in the more touristy and more reserved areas. Sometimes the shamash is used, a candle that lights the others and is passed carefully.

The Old City is the best location to escape the cold, as hundreds of locals and tourists crowd in. You can glide through the Muslim Souk, which offers a cultural contrast with sounds, smells, tastes and experiences like no other. If you enjoy this time of ambiance, you're sure to have a good time at the Winter Gastronomic Fair. Held annually in the Christian Quarter, it offers hot drinks and tastings of local delicacies.

There are also Christmas displays, craft sales, street theater, light shows and surprises for children. It is a good place to take advantage of the holiday atmosphere, as it is usually open even during Shabbat. Concerts with carols and music of the season are often scheduled at local churches and tourist sites in this neighborhood.

Tu b'Shvat is a celebration that marks the midpoint of winter, when the cold is more bearable and there are more outdoor activities. It also celebrates the rebirth of trees, as it is believed that new fir trees begin to be born at this time. Strange as it may sound, it is the birthday of the trees and is a highly respected date in Jerusalem. Specifically, it takes place on the 15th of Shevat of the Hebrew calendar, that is, between January and February.

Some activities also commemorate the New Year of fruits, so you may run into activities at local markets, such as the colorful Mahane Yehuda. If you plan to spend at least 3 days in Jerusalem, I recommend visiting the plantations in the area, or enjoy a trip to the Land of the Seven Fruits, better known as the Guei Ben Inom Valley.

Ramadan is a sacred celebration for Muslims, which takes place in March, right at the end of winter. There are activities all over the world, but in the Holy Land it comes alive with different cultural events. Usually, the festivities officially begin with the sighting of the crescent moon to respect the Islamic lunar calendar.

Sometimes, they coincide with other celebrations such as Passover, so the local neighborhoods are filled with interesting contrasts. I suggest you enjoy the singing, traditional dances and processions to the Holy Sepulcher. You can make your petitions by kneeling with your forehead on the ground, or by fasting. Above all, remember to maintain a respectful attitude. Additionally, fasting is not recommended for pregnant women, people with serious health problems, the elderly and menstruating women.

A few days later, Pesach takes place, which is highlighted by the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is a Jewish celebration, which celebrates the liberation from Egypt. On these dates, it is forbidden to eat leavened food, as it is considered disrespectful. This is the perfect excuse to try the typical mazzat, in local restaurants. This also applies to beverages containing yeast, such as beer.

The Jerusalem Bird Observatory is a fascinating place to visit all year round. However, November through March is the best time to book a visit. In these winter months, the European bird migration takes place, a spectacle of nature not to be missed. The trails used to be the best place to watch birds in the city, but due to modernization it was necessary to build a sanctuary for their conservation.

Also, being low season you have the opportunity to take advantage of the best tours in Jerusalem, without crowds. The observatory is usually less crowded. During this experience you will be able to see trilling nightingales, European bottle-bills, masked shrikes, bulbullos and more. Occasionally it may snow during these times, but the birds are usually out in force.