Haifa marks the Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays side by side, and two annual events stand out.
Holiday of Holidays (December)
- The Holiday of Holidays (Hag HaHagim) festival was started in 1993 by Beit HaGefen, the Arab-Jewish cultural centre, and Haifa Municipality, and takes place every December in and around Beit HaGefen and Wadi Nisnas, close to Christmas and Hanukkah (festival site (opens in a new tab); Visit Haifa on Wadi Nisnas (opens in a new tab)).
- It features shows, processions, concerts, exhibitions and tours in several languages. The 2025 edition ran from 11 to 31 December.
- The festival site says "see you in December 2026" but had not published the 2026 dates on 9 October 2026.
Hanukkah 2026
The first candle is lit on the evening of Friday 4 December 2026 and the festival ends on Saturday 12 December (Hebcal for Haifa (opens in a new tab)). City and community-centre events appear in the municipal events calendar (opens in a new tab).
Sukkot: the Haifa International Film Festival
The Haifa International Film Festival is held over Sukkot in Carmel Center, with the opening and closing at the Haifa Auditorium and screenings in the Cinematheque and nearby halls (municipality: Auditorium (opens in a new tab)). In 2026 the "Shuk BaKikar" food market moved to the Auditorium plaza for the festival, every evening from 26 September to 1 October, 17:00-22:00 (Visit Haifa (opens in a new tab)).
For olim
The municipality runs holiday events for new immigrants, such as a Rosh Hashana celebration for olim, listed in its events calendar.
Getting around on Shabbat and holidays
Some buses run on Shabbat in Haifa, but trains and the Carmelit stop; see the transport guide.
