Once again, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem will host special events, concerts and activities for tourists and locals alike during July and August. The museum's Art Garden will host several events (wear warm clothing!) beginning with the Festival of Renewal (14-15 July), two days of musical celebrations. The first concert, 14 July, 20:30, features the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra – IBA playing light classical music, followed on 15 July from 19:30 with an evening of video and performance art, together with a concert of percussion instruments by Chen Zimbalista and his band. These events are included in the museum admission (free entrance for children up to 17).
On 20 July at 20:30, Israel's popular and eclectic Idan Raichel Project will give a concert based on their latest album, Within My Walls (advance tickets from the box office at 972 2 677 1300).
The annual Israeli Wine-Tasting Festival (4-6 August from 19:00), which also takes place in the Art Garden, will offer a celebration of wine-tasting from Israel's leading wineries and background jazz music. Tickets include a wine glass, unlimited tasting, and admission to Museum galleries until 21:00. In honor of Tel Aviv's centennial, the city comes to the Israel Museum's Art Garden from 11-12 August (from 19:00) with live musical performances from Hebrew rock and Arabic music to Klezmer and world music and a celebration of Balkan-Gypsy music on wind instruments. These events are included in the museum admission (free entrance for children up to 17).
The 24th Annual Kite-Flying Festival will take place at the museum on 18 August, with workshops (extra charge) from 10:00 – 19:00, the opportunity to meet professional kite-flyers and the colorful kite-flying itself from 16:00 – 19:00 in the Art Garden. (Included in Museum admission; free entrance for children up to 17).
There's plenty going on at the Israel Museum's popular Youth Wing through the summer, including activities in the renewed model of the archaeological tel, where younger visitors can investigate archaeological finds, follow the path of the artifact from discovery to display, and try their hands at digging, reconstruction, and restoration (led by an archaeologist; check the website for times.) In August, the Youth Wing will present workshops related to family trees, coats of arms, family portraits and more. Visitors are asked to bring a photo of their extended family.
Other activities include preparing breakfast in a prehistoric cave using Stone Age tools and enjoying a prehistoric feast (August only); Scripts and Scrolls workshops using ancient techniques and mask-making inspired by the exhibition Many Faces in the Recycling Room.
Israel Museum hours: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs & Sat 10:00 – 17:00; Tues in July 16:00 – 21:00 and in August from 10:00 – 21:00; Fri 10:00 – 14:00
July: Free entrance for children from 16:00 on Tuesdays and all day on Saturdays
August: Free entrance for children every day
