Shabbat Times & Jewish Holiday Calendar
Candlelighting and Havdalah times for major Israeli cities, plus Jewish holidays for 2026–2027 — so you can plan around closures.
Plan around Shabbat & holidays
When does Shabbat start this week?
Pick your city and month. Shabbat times update automatically. Jewish holidays are marked on the calendar below — tap any date for details. See also: what's open on Shabbat.
This Shabbat
Candlelighting
Havdalah
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
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Jewish holidays 2026–2027
All dates shown are Israel dates. Diaspora communities celebrate some holidays one extra day.
| Holiday | Date(s) | What to know as a visitor |
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Frequently asked questions
When does Shabbat start and end in Israel?
Shabbat begins at candlelighting time on Friday evening — typically 18–40 minutes before sunset depending on the city and community. It ends after nightfall on Saturday, about 40–50 minutes after sunset. In Israel, this means most shops, restaurants and public buses stop running Friday afternoon and resume Saturday night.
What is closed on Shabbat in Israel?
Most shops, markets, malls and many restaurants close from Friday afternoon until Saturday night in Jerusalem. Tel Aviv and Haifa are more secular — many restaurants and some shops remain open. Intercity buses (Egged/Dan) stop running on Shabbat; private taxis, Gett and many hotels operate normally. See our full guide on what's open on Shabbat.
Do Jewish holidays affect tourist hours?
Yes. On Yom Kippur all businesses close (even in secular Tel Aviv) and roads are virtually empty — a unique atmosphere but plan accordingly. Passover and Rosh Hashanah trigger significant price rises and hotel busy periods. Hanukkah and Purim are festive but less disruptive to tourism. Book accommodation well ahead for all major holidays.
How accurate are the candlelighting times?
Times are calculated from sunset using standard astronomical formulas and are accurate to within ±2 minutes. Candlelighting is shown at 18 minutes before sunset (the common Israel standard). Some communities use 30 or 40 minutes — check your specific community's custom. Always confirm with a local or the Chabad website for exact zmanim.
Plan your trip around the calendar
Know the key dates — now figure out where to stay and how to get around.