Must-see entertainment in Israel & the Palestinian Territories

  • Cinematheque

    Jerusalem

    The Jerusalem Cinematheque, with its quality foreign films and mini festivals on diverse themes such as gay cinema and China on the silver screen, is a…

  • Zedekiah's Cave

    Jerusalem

    This could be the most unique and atmospheric performance venue in a city with no shortage of them. Top Israeli musicians and bands perform in this…

  • Yellow Submarine

    Jerusalem

    Does Middle Eastern dance music or Balkan pop sound like your jam? How about soft jazz, Jewish spiritual songs or stand-up comedy? An impressively diverse…

  • Cinematheque

    Tel Aviv

    The flagship in a chain of Israeli cinemas, this branch draws a cultured local crowd for its screenings of classic, retro, foreign, avant-garde and…

  • Charles Bronfman Auditorium

    Tel Aviv

    Home to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Charles Bronfman Auditorium hosts world-class classical music performances several times a week. Look out…

  • Barby

    Tel Aviv

    This Tel Aviv institution at the southernmost point of the city is a favourite venue for reggae, electronica, funk and alternative bands. Occasionally…

  • East West House

    Tel Aviv

    Jaffa’s East West House offers curated live music experiences that are set inside the former Ottoman-era villa of Jaffa’s primary doctor. A more low-key…

  • Jerusalem Theatre

    Jerusalem

    This large state-of-the-art complex with great acoustics includes a concert hall, cinema, theatres and a cafe. It is the place to catch a performance by…

  • Machol Shalem Dance House

    Jerusalem

    The city's sole performing-arts space focused on fostering experimental dance, as well as other performing artists.

  • Beit HaAmudim

    Tel Aviv

    Tel Aviv's intimate live jazz venue welcomes a disparate crowd to its almost nightly gigs, which kick off at 9.30pm. Entry fee for gigs is 5NIS per…

  • Yabous Cultural Centre

    East Jerusalem

    Palestinians don't have many spaces to showcase their art in Jerusalem, and Yabous, along with other nearby galleries, is trying to change that. The…

  • Time Elevator

    Jerusalem

    Get jolted, sprinkled with water and blasted with sound effects on this cinematic journey through 3000 years of Jewish history. Chaim Topol – one-time…

  • Liwan Culture Cafe

    Nazareth

    Founded to help bring cultural life back to the Old City, this cafe hosts exhibitions by Palestinian artists, most of them from the Galilee, and several…

  • Jaffa Theatre

    Tel Aviv

    Founded in 1998 in a multiarched Old Jaffa building to bring two cultures together, this stage showcases Hebrew- and Arabic-language plays, sometimes with…

  • Matnas Tverya 15

    Haifa

    A community centre with frequent amateur concerts, performances and classes (including yoga, Pilates and tango). Art exhibitions change on a monthly basis…

  • HaMazkeka

    Jerusalem

    HaMazkeka bustles late into weekend nights with people gathering for a drink and enjoying the sounds and sights of the city’s emerging and independent…

  • Nocturno Live

    Jerusalem

    One of the city's more happening alternative arts venues, Nocturno's small stage sees a wide range of Israeli performers, from live music, stand-up comedy…

  • Hamiffal

    Jerusalem

    Hamiffal (meaning 'the factory') is perfect for travellers looking to experience Jerusalem’s alternative art and culture scene. Originally started by an…

  • Zappa

    Jerusalem

    Crafted out of a disused railway warehouse, Zappa has an industrial feel and an attractive bar backlit against weathered stone. It stages jazz, folk, rock…

  • Sultan's Pool

    Jerusalem

    One of the city's largest premier concert venues, hosting big-name Israeli and international performers, is situated in the open-air in this historic…

  • Al Ma'mal Foundation

    Jerusalem

    Jerusalem doesn't have many Palestinian cultural spaces left, but Al Ma’mal Art Foundation, a Palestinian art incubator, is one of the scene’s centres…

  • Khan Theatre

    Jerusalem

    Celebrating its 50th birthday during the 2017–18 season, the Khan continues to stage high-quality Israeli and Western classics, as well as original…

  • Al Quds Cinema

    East Jerusalem

    Shuttered for nearly 30 years (after the First Intifada), Al Quds Cinema reopened in 2015 and now East Jerusalem's only movie theatre. It screens…

  • Alliance House

    Jerusalem

    Housed in a former 19th-century school building at the edge of Mahane Yehuda, this vibrant space hosts art exhibitions, events and performances and is a…

  • Beat Club

    Haifa

    Israeli and international bands rock out at this top performance venue, which is affiliated with the local music school and occasionally moonlights as a…

  • Habima National Theatre

    Tel Aviv

    Home to Israel’s national theatre company, Habima stages weekly performances in its restored, modern dome-shaped building. Most have simultaneous…

  • Israeli Opera

    Tel Aviv

    The city's major opera house is also home to the Israel Ballet. It's located in the complex next to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and Cameri Theatre.

  • Haifa Cinematheque

    Haifa

    Screens avant-garde, off-beat and art films in two halls. It's key venue for Haifa's film festival.

  • Al Hoash Gallery

    East Jerusalem

    Up a staircase on Al Zahra St, this art gallery is one of several Palestinian spaces that's part of the growing Jerusalem Arts Network. There isn't a…

  • Teddy Kollek Stadium

    Jerusalem

    Named after Jerusalem's former mayor, the 31,700-seat Teddy Kollek Stadium is home to the Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem…

  • Goldstar Zappa Club

    Tel Aviv

    One of the handful of places in Israel to catch international music luminaries (plus great local acts), this intimate, all-seated club is named after the…

  • Suzanne Dellal Centre

    Tel Aviv

    A must-visit for lovers of classic dance, the leading dance school in the country is also a theatre set in a historic Neve Tzedek building dating from…

  • Me on the Mic

    Tel Aviv

    Pick from a choice of different-sized private rooms at this fun karaoke bar. It has a full list of songs in English, Spanish and Hebrew. Costs range from…

  • Al Kamandjati

    Ramallah

    This small conservatory, which features an ancient arch with an edgy, modern copper entryway, offers intimate concerts and recitals.

  • Tzavta

    Tel Aviv

    This 'progressive' club-theatre, founded by the far-left HaShomer HaTzair youth movement, has pop and folk Israeli music, as well as Hebrew-language…

  • Cameri Theatre

    Tel Aviv

    For a boost of local performing arts culture, catch a show at this theatre that hosts first-rate performances in Hebrew, on some nights with simultaneous…

  • Shablul Jazz Club

    Tel Aviv

    Live jazz, blues, salsa and world music takes centre stage at this intimate venue on the Old Port almost nightly. Check the website and Facebook page (www…

  • Haifa Auditorium

    Haifa

    One of Haifa's principal venues for ballet, modern dance and music, the 1100-seat Haifa Auditorium hosts performances by the Haifa Symphony Orchestra…

  • Felicja Blumental Music Centre

    Tel Aviv

    Named in honour of Polish-born Brazilian pianist Felicja Blumental, this regal but intimate 115-seat auditorium hosts classical, jazz and chamber music…

  • Birman

    Jerusalem

    Tiny, unpretentious jazz bar with nightly jams. Grab a seat in the loft space or an outdoor table and enjoy the people watching.

More destinations you need to see