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Israel public holidays in 2026 and 2027 — what travellers need to know

Religious days begin at sunset, and the weekly Shabbat matters to travellers as much as the dates in the table. Transport and border-crossing hours need separate checks.

Key takeaway: Travel is possible, but ignoring Shabbat, sunset and crossing hours can leave you without transport.

Public-holiday calendar for 2026 and 2027

Calendar coverage: The 2026 and 2027 calendars are complete for nationwide days off identified by the official sources.

2026

DateDayHolidayNotes
2 AprilThursdayFirst Day of Passover
8 AprilWednesdayLast Day of Passover
22 AprilWednesdayIsrael Independence Day
22 MayFridayShavuot
12 SeptemberSaturdayRosh Hashanah
13 SeptemberSundayRosh Hashanah
21 SeptemberMondayYom Kippur
26 SeptemberSaturdaySukkot
3 OctoberSaturdaySimchat Torah

2027

DateDayHolidayNotes
22 AprilThursdayFirst Day of Passover
28 AprilWednesdayLast Day of Passover
12 MayWednesdayIsrael Independence Day
11 JuneFridayShavuot
2 OctoberSaturdayRosh Hashanah
3 OctoberSundayRosh Hashanah
11 OctoberMondayYom Kippur
16 OctoberSaturdaySukkot
23 OctoberSaturdaySimchat Torah

Which periods affect travel most?

Passover

The first and last days are holidays, while the wider period changes food availability and domestic tourism. Reservations matter in popular destinations.

Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot

The autumn sequence strongly affects transport and institutions. Yom Kippur brings the widest shutdown, and some border crossings close.

Shabbat every week

From Friday afternoon until Saturday evening, regular public transport is limited or absent in many places. Plan around sunset, not only calendar dates.

Shops, transport and attractions

  • Regular public transport is limited from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening and during some religious holidays.
  • Government offices, banks and schools generally close; private businesses set their own hours.
  • Border crossings publish separate holiday hours, and some close on Yom Kippur.

Local customs and etiquette

During Shabbat and religious holidays keep noise down in traditional neighbourhoods. The change of pace starts before sunset, not on the following morning shown by the calendar date.

How to plan your trip

  1. Plan around sunset, especially on Friday and before a religious holiday.
  2. Reserve accommodation and key journeys earlier than usual.
  3. Independently of the calendar, check current security advice and border rules.

Combine the calendar with the weather

Check the 14-day forecast, monthly climate and best time to visit Israel.

Israel weather

AprilSeptemberOctober

Sources and data coverage

The 2026 and 2027 calendars are complete for nationwide days off identified by the official sources. Calendar data checked: 13 July 2026.

Travel-advice sources

Other holiday calendars for travellers

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Frequently asked questions

Is it worth visiting Israel during public holidays?
Travel is possible, but ignoring Shabbat, sunset and crossing hours can leave you without transport.
Do shops and public transport operate on holidays in Israel?
Regular public transport is limited from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening and during some religious holidays. Government offices, banks and schools generally close; private businesses set their own hours. Border crossings publish separate holiday hours, and some close on Yom Kippur.
Can religious holiday dates change?
Yes. Dates based on a lunar calendar may be confirmed or adjusted by the relevant authorities. We label such entries as estimates and recommend checking again before departure.