christmas
How and where Christmas is celebrated in Israel
Christmas in Israel is a unique blend of ancient tradition, deep religious meaning, and modern urban life. In a country where Christians form a minority, the holiday feels different from Christmas in Europe or North America. There are fewer large-scale Christmas markets, but far more authentic historical sites and living communities for whom Christmas is an integral part of everyday culture.
Christian Cities and Living Traditions
The true spirit of Christmas in Israel is felt most strongly in cities with long-established Christian communities.
1) Nazareth is considered the main center of Christmas celebrations in the country. In December, a large Christmas tree is lit in the city center, accompanied by street parades, concerts, and festive church services. The streets fill with lights, music, and the aromas of traditional holiday dishes.
2) Jerusalem celebrates Christmas in a more restrained yet deeply solemn manner. Festive services take place in the Old City, most notably at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Pilgrims from all over the world come to attend these celebrations, where services are held according to several Christian traditions.
3) Haifa is known for its atmosphere of coexistence between different religions. In December, the city features Christmas decorations, small markets in Christian neighborhoods, and family celebrations, often combined with citywide winter festivals.
4) Jaffa, especially in the Old City area, celebrates Christmas within the local Arab Christian community. Churches, homes, and streets are decorated, creating an intimate and warmly domestic holiday atmosphere.
In everyday life, Christmas is not a public holiday in Israel, yet its presence is clearly felt in December:
-
in decorated shop windows,
-
in cafés offering seasonal menus,
-
in international schools and Christian neighborhoods.
For many residents, Christmas in Israel is less a mass celebration and more a cultural and family-centered holiday, which is precisely why it retains such a calm, sincere, and intimate character.
In Israel, large Christmas markets inside shopping malls are quite rare. One of the most notable and consistent locations is the Christmas market at Arena Mall Herzliya.
Every year, from early December until December 31, the mall hosts a festive holiday space featuring:
-
artificial Christmas trees,
-
a Christmas-themed photo zone,
-
a wide selection of ornaments, lights, and home decorations.
This market is especially popular with families, expatriates, and Israelis who wish to create a Christmas atmosphere at home, even though the holiday itself is not part of the national calendar.
Christmas in the German Colony of Haifa
The German Colony in Haifa becomes one of the most festive places in the country during December. Here, Christmas and New Year are celebrated not as loud commercial events, but as a carefully balanced blend of history, faith, and modern urban life — creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Israel.
The German Colony was founded in the 19th century by the Templers, a Protestant Christian community from Germany. Their stone houses, red-tiled roofs, and symmetrical streets were built with European town planning in mind — and this architectural heritage makes the neighborhood feel naturally suited to winter celebrations.
Today, the colony stretches along Ben-Gurion Boulevard (above 700m long), with the illuminated terraces of the Baháʼí Gardens rising above it like a luminous backdrop.
What makes the German Colony unique during the holiday season is its authenticity. Christmas here is not staged for tourism alone — it grows naturally out of the neighborhood’s Christian roots, multicultural present, and architectural harmony.
It is a place where:
-
history meets modern life
-
religious tradition coexists with secular celebration
-
locals and visitors share the same streets and cafés
Location: German Colony, Ben-Gurion Boulevard, Haifa
Best time to visit: mid-December to early January
Nearby attractions: Baháʼí Gardens
Christmas in the German Colony is celebrated primarily by local Christian communities — Arab Christians, foreign residents, diplomats, and visitors. Decorations appear gradually throughout December:
-
softly lit Christmas trees in cafés and hotels
-
wreaths and garlands on balconies
-
festive lights strung along the boulevard
Rather than a single large market, the celebration unfolds as a street experience. Restaurants offer seasonal menus, bakeries sell Christmas desserts, and live music often fills the evening air.
The mood is warm, elegant, and unhurried — more European in spirit than Middle Eastern.
One of the most distinctive features of December in the German Colony is its connection to Haifa’s annual Holiday of Holidays Festival, which celebrates the coexistence of Christmas, Hanukkah, and sometimes Ramadan when calendars overlap.
During the festival:
-
art installations appear along the streets
-
small craft stalls and cultural events take place
-
performances and exhibitions emphasize shared traditions
This multi-faith celebration has become a defining symbol of Haifa’s identity as a city of coexistence.