Jerusalem hotels, restaurants, attractions, tours & events. Helping since 2008

Chanukah is just around the corner, but before you start frying up those latkes or jelly doughnuts, there's a slate of events and festivals to keep you warm and moving all week long.

• On Thursday night, get your Hamsushalayim on, with a dose of Mizrahi fusion metal courtesy of Orphaned Land at the Museum for Islamic Art.
  
  Weekend three of the festival also brings No Happy Loves, a night of French chanson to the Menachem Begin Heritage Center this  evening, featuring the works of the genre's most celebrated composers and voices. The performance is accompanied by the stories behind the songs (in Hebrew), a slideshow and classic film footage.

  Also tonight, Chef Ohad Venso and Chef Guy ben Simhon host several more chefs at La Guta's annual gala winter meal in Baka. Guests are treated to a special multi-course menu accompanied by fine wines from the Tabor winery.

• Jerusalem's newest addition to its concert venue scene, Zappa at the old Ma'abada, proves it's no lightweight on Friday with a double bill of Israel's biggest musical acts. First up is proto-garage rocker Rami Fortis for an afternoon show, and long after the sun goes down, roots master Mosh Ben Ari takes the stage with a 10-piece band for a nighttime show.

• On Saturday night, Jerusalem opens its 13th annual Jewish Film Festival at the Cinematheque in Talpiot, with 50 flicks from around the world exploring Jewish identity themes.
  

  Latrun-based theme park Mini Israel presents Winter Saturdays, a festival of activities and performances for parents and children. The performance schedule includes performances by Itzik the Clown and productions by talented puppetry troupes.

  Alternateively, check out the juncture of Jewish-themed rock with local hip-hop as Yehuda Katz and Sha'anan Street hit the Yellow Submarine.

• Sunday check out the Bloomfield Science Museum's new Bioscapes exhibit, with mind-blowing photographs from a side of nature not normally seen.
  
  Across town, the Andalusian Orchestra with Ladino-Flamenco star Yasmin Levy (pictured) are scheduled to entertain the crowds at the Jerusalem Theatre.

• Bar/dance club HaTza'atzua throws yet another one of its legendary student night parties on Monday, with DJ Shai Daniel spinning and special deals on alcohol all night long.

• Tuesday is the first night of the Festival of Lights. Grab a doughnut, light a candle and head to the appropriately-named Blaze Bar for some live music courtesy of Oriana Shefi.

• By Wednesday, the whole town should be decked in its Chanukah best, with doughnuts and Chanukah bushes flying every which way. The Museum for Islamic Art kicks off its eight days of activities for kids with a magic show, the Bloomfield Science Museum entices with a workshop about the science of cooking, the Malcha Mall has nightly candles with kiddie A List entertainers, Mini Israel has doughnuts and timely themed drama performances, and the Tower of David rolls out a bunch of historical re-enactment fun.

But that's just the beginning! Check out our full events section for everything else happening around town.