Stand in the Crowd at Birkat Kohanim
You hear the Western Wall plaza before you see it — a low, rolling murmur of thousands that swells into silence as hundreds of Kohanim raise their hands and recite the priestly blessing. On Sukkot 2026 the blessing is said twice during the intermediate days: on 17 Tishrei (September 28), the second day of Chol HaMoed, and on 20 Tishrei (October 1), the fifth. Arrive early for Shacharit at 8:45; the Priestly Blessing of Shacharit comes at 9:30, Mussaf at 10:15, and the Priestly Blessing of Mussaf at 10:30. Afterward the Chief Rabbis of Israel and the Rabbi of the Western Wall hold a reception for worshippers.
Walk the Jerusalem March, Then Land in Sacher Park
The signature event of the intermediate days draws tens of thousands of marchers from Israel and abroad. On September 28 the Jerusalem March sets off from three routes — 12 km, 9 km and 5 km — threading through nature trails before all of them converge on Sacher Park. Starting time is 07:00, and registration is required through the event page. At the park you'll find the day's happening: performances, a main artist, and activities built for families. Plan your route by how much walking you actually want before the sun climbs.
Shop the Four Species Market and Taste Your Way Through Mahane Yehuda
Between Yom Kippur and Sukkot, stalls around the city fill with the Four Species and sukkah decorations, with produce brought in from across the country. Entry is free; exact dates and location are confirmed closer to the festival, so check locally once you've arrived.
For eating, the Yami Shuk tasting card works through your phone — a digital pass with ten coupons redeemable at more than 40 stalls in Mahane Yehuda Market. There's no physical card and no minimum group size, and kosher, vegan and gluten-free options are all covered. Ten coupons go further than you think when the stalls are this close together.
Fill the Evenings With Light at Armon Hanatziv
High LIGHT JLM is an audiovisual laser show that layers music, history and light, staged at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade from 20:30 to 21:30 during Sukkot 2026. It's free, and there's no advance registration — you simply turn up. The promenade looks over the city, so come a little before the start and let the view do the opening act.
Spend the Intermediate Days in Museums and Ancient Streets
- Tower of David Museum: experiential activities run through the ancient citadel during the intermediate days, with exact dates and hours published closer to the time. Climb to the Phasael Tower observation balcony for a panoramic Old City view that includes sukkahs on the rooftops, and see the audiovisual show "King David."
- Israel Museum (Ruppin Road 11): open throughout Sukkot 2026, with its traditional kite festival — good for children, families and anyone who came for the culture.
- Bloomfield Science Museum (Museum Boulevard, Givat Ram): special activities and workshops across the intermediate days, aimed at children and families.
- Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Archaeology Campus (Givat Ram): family tours during Sukkot 2026; children get a researcher booklet, solve riddles, and take part in craft workshops including making a copy of an ancient mosaic.
- Hurva Synagogue (Jewish Quarter): one of the tallest Holy Arks in the world, an archaeology level in the basement, and a 360-degree view from the dome balcony. Entry is free during operating hours, space permitting, in cooperation with Israel's Ministry of Heritage and Tradition.
- City of David National Park: a short walk from the Western Wall. Choose the Siloam Channel with flashlights — the wet route — or the dry, lit route.
- Time Elevator (Shderot Mamilla, Yitzchak Kariv 6): open throughout the intermediate days; a multimedia ride through 3,000 years of Jerusalem history, from age 5 up.
- Biblical Zoo (Aharon Shulov Road 1): guided feedings, a petting corner, story time about Gavi the baby elephant, an insect world and a surprise animal — different activities each day, so check the website.
- Animals in Cubes (Cinema City complex): Duncan Titmarsh's international exhibition of more than 50 giant animals built from over 2 million toy cubes, close to 8,000 hours of work, holding a Guinness World Record since 2016 for the largest cube display.
Know the Rhythm of the Week
Sukkot 2026 (5787) opens with the festival day on Friday, September 25 into Saturday night, September 26. The intermediate days, Chol HaMoed, run Sunday, September 27 through Friday, October 2, which is Hoshana Rabba. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah follow, from Friday, October 2 in the evening to Saturday night, October 3. That gives you the whole stretch of Chol HaMoed — September 28 through October 1 in particular — for the Priestly Blessing, the Jerusalem March and the museums, all of which sit inside those days.
Book your registration for the Jerusalem March, keep the first days of Chol HaMoed free for the Western Wall, and let the rest of the week arrange itself around markets, rooftops and a promenade lit up at half past eight.