Beginning this Friday and spanning November and December, select Fridays will feature musical Kabbalat Shabbat receptions, expert-led tours, and family-friendly activities at national parks, nature reserves, and heritage landmarks nationwide. Dubbed Shishi Moreshet (Heritage Friday), the joint initiative is spearheaded by the Heritage Ministry, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Council for the Conservation of Heritage Sites in Israel. Admission to most participating national parks and reserves comes at no extra charge beyond standard entry - and remains free for Matmon annual pass holders - while tours and live performances at northern heritage sites carry a nominal fee of NIS 10 per person.
Kickstarting heritage Fridays in November
The lineup launches on Friday, November 6. Highlights at Beit Alfa National Park include a hands-on challah baking workshop, tours of the ancient synagogue and its famed zodiac mosaic accompanied by accordion and clarinet musicians, and a soul-stirring musical Kabbalat Shabbat. Over at the Museum of Underground Prisoners in Acre, visitors can experience dramatized tours of the Mandate-era prison, culminating in an afternoon tribute show, The Hitmans Sing Uzi Hitman.
November 13 brings an array of major events. At Hamat Tiberias National Park, guests can pair a relaxing dip in the natural hot thermal springs with a tour of the ancient synagogue and a Kabbalat Shabbat performance by Adam & Rinatya and the MAGIC MIX. Meanwhile, coastal Apollonia in Herzliya will host live acoustic music along its scenic trails and an open-air sing-along in the Crusader fortress courtyard. Over at the "Secrets of the Kibbutz Miracle" in Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk, Mika Sade and Lior Seker hit the stage with a children's show, while Kfar Giladi pairs access to its historic Hagana arms cache with an upbeat rock 'n' roll performance.
Nabatean trails, ancient sites, and live shows
On November 20, visitors can journey south to Mamshit for a guided walk through the ancient Nabatean town followed by a sunset Kabbalat Shabbat set to the live show "Desert Sounds" - with optional overnight stays available at the park's campground. Up north that same afternoon, "Tozeret Haaretz" takes the stage in the historic courtyard of Tel Hai, while Ido Mosseri and Shira Gavrielov entertain crowds at the Regba Aqueduct. On November 27, traditional Safed melodies and liturgical piyutim (poems) will resonate throughout the Beit Hameiri Museum in Safed, complemented by an Andalusian ensemble performance featuring Aharon Perrera at the Founders Museum in Ma'alot-Tarshiha.
Hanukkah festivities and winter celebrations
As Hanukkah approaches on December 4, festive menorah lightings and fresh sufganiyot will be integrated directly into the weekend programs. Opening day sees Kabbalat Shabbat services combined with the lighting of the first holiday candle near the famous menorah relief in the Cave of the Sarcophagi at Beit She'arim, alongside parallel ceremonies at Beit Alfa, Hamat Tiberias, and Qumran. Over at the Beit Hashomer Museum in Kfar Giladi, Uri Banai presents his intimate stage show Stories of the Banai Family. On December 11, the final day of the festival, the eighth candle will be lit at both the Enot Tsukim Nature Reserve and Herodium; Tel Lachish hosts a special holiday show, while Beit Ussishkin invites guests to a sing-along of Arik Einstein classics led by Ran Zamir. The entire series wraps up on December 25 with a interactive drumming session and performance at Tel Ashkelon, alongside a piyyut concert featuring Ovadia Hamama and Erez Lev Ari at the historic Ramchal Synagogue in Acre.
Most scheduled activities depend on weather conditions, and select events require advance booking through the official Israel Nature and Parks Authority website.