Walk Into the Jerusalem March on the Second Intermediate Day
It starts before you see it: drumlines echoing off the limestone, the low hum of tens of thousands of voices, the smell of pine and cypress drifting down from the nature trails. On the morning of September 28, the Jerusalem March — the main event of Sukkot's intermediate days — sets out from three separate walking routes of 12 km, 9 km and 5 km, threading through the hills around the city. Marchers come from across Israel and from abroad, and every route converges on Sacher Park, where the day turns into a full happening: performances, a main artist, and family activities spread across the grass. Start at 07:00 to walk with the first groups, or head straight to the park and let the crowd arrive around you.
Stand Beneath the Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall
On September 28 — the second day of the intermediate days — hundreds of Kohanim raise their hands over the assembled worshippers at the Western Wall for the Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim), followed by a reception hosted by the Chief Rabbis of Israel and the Rabbi of the Western Wall. The same ceremony repeats on October 1, the fifth intermediate day. If you want to follow the full prayer order, Shacharit begins at 8:45, the Priestly Blessing of Shacharit at 9:30, Mussaf at 10:15, and the Priestly Blessing of Mussaf at 10:30. Arrive early; the plaza fills.
Eat Your Way Through Mahane Yehuda and Hunt the Four Species
The market is the city's kitchen during Sukkot. Pick up the Yami Shuk tasting card — a digital card with ten coupons redeemable at more than 40 stalls in Mahane Yehuda Market, covering kosher, vegan and gluten-free options, all managed on your phone with no physical card to carry. Before the festival begins, watch for the Four Species Market, where stalls sell produce gathered from across the country alongside sukkah decorations; it typically appears between Yom Kippur and Sukkot, with free entry. Dates and location are confirmed closer to the holiday, so check locally once you're in the city.
Fill the Evenings with Light, Lasers and Late-Night Streets
At 20:30 each evening of Sukkot 2026, the Armon Hanatziv Promenade hosts High LIGHT JLM, a laser and audiovisual show running until 21:30. It is free and needs no advance registration — just show up and find a spot with a view over the city. Earlier in the day, families gravitate to Cinema City for *Animals in Cubes*, an activities fair and international exhibition of more than 50 giant animal figures built from over 2 million toy building blocks — some 8,000 hours of work by Duncan Titmarsh, who has held the Guinness World Record for the largest cube display since 2016.
Spend the Intermediate Days in Museums and Ancient Waterways
- Israel Museum (Ruppin Road 11): a kite festival runs throughout Sukkot 2026.
- Bloomfield Science Museum (Museum Boulevard, Givat Ram): interactive exhibitions, demonstrations and special Sukkot workshops across the intermediate days.
- Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Archaeology Campus (Givat Ram): family tours, a researcher booklet for children, and craft workshops including mosaic-making.
- Tower of David Museum: experiential activities inside the citadel, the Phasael Tower observation balcony, and the "King David" audiovisual show — dates and hours published closer to the holiday.
- Hurva Synagogue (Jewish Quarter): a Holy Ark among the tallest in the world, an archaeology level in the basement, and a 360-degree dome balcony view; free entry during operating hours, space permitting, in cooperation with Israel's Ministry of Heritage.
- City of David National Park, near the Western Wall: walk the Siloam Channel water route with flashlights, or take the dry, lit route.
- Biblical Zoo (Aharon Shulov Road 1): guided feedings, a petting corner, story time about Gavi the baby elephant and the insect world; activities vary daily.
- Time Elevator (Shderot Mamilla, Yitzchak Kariv 6): a historical audiovisual attraction, entry from age five, running through the intermediate days — check opening hours.
Time Your Trip Around the Festival Calendar
Sukkot eve and the first festival day fall on Friday, September 25 into Saturday night, September 26. The intermediate days — Chol HaMoed — run from Sunday, September 27 through Friday, October 2, which is Hoshana Rabba. Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret begin on the evening of Friday, October 2 and continue through Saturday night, October 3. The Priestly Blessing lands on September 28 and October 1; the Jerusalem March on September 28. Build your days around those anchors and leave the rest loose for markets, museums and promenade evenings.
Book your accommodation near the Old City or the market while the intermediate days are still open on the calendar, then let the week arrange itself around the march, the blessing and the long, lit evenings on the promenade.