Tourists planning to visit Tel Aviv-Jaffa this year are in for a special treat as the city pulls out all the stops to celebrate its centennial anniversary with an interesting and varied selection of special events. In the program: outdoor festivals, art shows, sporting events, historic exhibitions and more.
The centennial events open with a gala celebration in Rabin Square on 4 April, featuring a 360° rotating sound and light show, a concert by the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by maestro Zubin Mehta, and performances by prominent vocalists and actors.
The city streets will host an International Marathon on 24 April (42k, 10k and 5k races), while the city's beaches will host spectators for the International RS:X Class European Windsurfing Championship, (10-20 June) which is expected to draw hundreds of surfers worldwide, including recent Olympic medalists.
Tel Aviv's annual White Night celebration will take on a particularly festive air on 27 May, reviving the spirit of the city from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. The White City complex, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) will be reenacted on Rothschild Boulevard with the help of actors, costumes, scenery, and even stagecoaches; the Carmel Market will remain open all night and a special photography exhibit documenting the market's history will be on display; the nearby Nahalat Binyamin will host an all-night arts and crafts fair – all this plus the regular all-night entertainment, restaurants, cafes and bars.
The Blue Festival in Jaffa, 17-18 June, will celebrate Mediterranean culture, music and food, with events taking place in the recently-renovated port, parks and streets of Jaffa.
The summer highlight will take place on 16 July in Yarkon Park - the free, open-air performance of Verdi’s Requiem by the prestigious La Scala Opera House, in Israel for the first time. Other free musical happenings include the Saturday night jazz and classical music concerts in the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center piazza through July and August.
Teens have fun during August with their own city-wide Teen Festival that will include pop concerts, sports activities, dance parties and other festivities.
A month-long International Art Biennale (ARTLV) will take place from September 9, showcasing contemporary works in dozens of exhibitions. Fashion Week comes to the Tel Aviv Port in October (19-22), as well as the Green Festival, a dedication of the Green Route along the Yarkon River and a centennial bike ride on 17 October.
For a complete list of centennial events: www.tlv100.co.il.
