Public holidays in Israel

List of holidays in Israel

Non-statutory holidays are written in gray.


One of the most important holidays is Yom haAtzma'ut, Israel's Independence Day. This festive occasion commemorates the founding of the State of Israel in 1948 and is celebrated with lively ceremonies, parades and fireworks.

Other important holidays include Rosh ha-Shanah (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot, the week-long Feast of Tabernacles. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated on 8 days, although none of these days is a public holiday. The Exodus from Egypt (Passover) is also celebrated on 8 days, the first day being a national holiday. These holidays are of great religious and cultural significance to the Jewish population and are usually celebrated with special prayers, rituals, family gatherings and festive meals.

In addition to Jewish holidays, Israel also has several national holidays. These include Yom haScho'a (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom haZikaron as a day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, and Yom HaAliyah, Aliyah Day, which commemorates Jewish immigration to Israel.

Certain restrictions often apply on religious holidays, such as transportation restrictions and the closing of businesses and government offices. Jewish holidays in particular are celebrated throughout the country.

The Hebrew Calendar

The Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar used primarily to determine the dates of Jewish holidays and religious observances. Compared to other calendar systems, it has a unique structure that combines both lunar and solar elements.

Months are always based on the new moon. However, to align the lunar months with the solar year, which is approximately 365.25 days long, the Hebrew calendar adds an extra month in leap years known as Adar II. This ensures that the calendar remains synchronized with the agricultural seasons.

Naming of the months in the Hebrew calendar:

1. Nissan
2. Ijar
3. Sivan
4. Tammuz
5. Av
6. Elul
7. Tishrei
8. Cheshvan (or Marcheshvan)
9. Kislev
10. Zwet
11. Shevat
12. Adar (or Adar I in leap years) and Adar II (in leap years)

The Hebrew calendar also establishes specific days of the week for the weekly day of rest, "Shabbat," with Saturday being celebrated as Shabbat.

The year count in the Hebrew calendar is based on the traditional calculation since the creation of the world, with the current year being 5783. However, in everyday life, dates according to the international Gregorian calendar system are often used in addition to the Hebrew calendar.