Jerusalem 2019 Light Festival in Old City

The annual Jerusalem Light Festival is once again lighting up the walls of the Old City.

Every year I try and go early to get into position for photos at sunset.

Sign for Blue Route on Jerusalem light festival

The lights were just getting going near the end of the Blue route.

Jerusalem Light Festival

‘Choosing Mildness’ would be more vivid after dark.

Jerusalem Light Festival sign

For each installation, a sign was posted with details.

Thankfully I took photos of a few signs.

A very nice young man in a security vest offered me his map, only the text was in Arabic!

So the first piece of advice, start at the beginning of the routes and do not go in reverse as I did.

Light Festival Jerusalem Israel

I could not find the last art piece #17 on the Blue Route. Due to security for an event on Thursday night, it was not open on Wednesday as well.

Jerusalem Light Festival in Old City

The next to last piece, #16 ‘Trumpet Flowers,’ was ready to go.

Light Festival in Jerusalem

This year the Blue Route goes on the outside of the old city walls from Jaffa Gate to Dung Gate. But beware if you do the route in reverse it can get confusing.

Jerusalem Light Festival

Lights and people dressed in lights were popular this year.

Jerusalem Festival of light

Near Jaffa Gate, as it got dark the blue lights were easy to follow.

Jerusalem light festival in old city

More actors dressed in lights were near Jaffa Gate.

Jerusalem Festival of light

This was one of my favorite photographs.

However, since I cannot read Arabic, I am not sure what it is.

Jerusalem lights on Damascus Gate

The lights on Damascus Gate were interesting near the end of the Green Route.

Jerusalem light festival at Damascus Gate

They changed, but too slowly for a good video.

I had forgotten just how amazing was the masterpiece from five years ago.

Light festival in Jerusalem old city walls

Here was one interactive Green Route attraction aimed to interest children.

This was my fourth attempt to take a video here.

Families kept walking by and posing for photos.

Jerusalem Light Festival near New Gate

Entering the New Gate on the Red Route was this piece.

Jerusalem light festival street flowers

‘Street Flowers’ was a popular overhead attraction.

Light Festival in Old City Jerusalem

The streets in the Arab market are always an interesting photo op.

Arab market in old city Jerusalem for light festival

The shops themselves are colorful when well lit.

‘Call for a Wish’ needed a video better than a photograph.

Muristan Square with French light artist Jerusalem light festival

Lucky this year, instead of getting lost in the Christian Quarter, as usual, I met the artist of #17 Blue Route at Muristan Square. Mr. Franck was free to wander as his special piano will not be on display until next week.

People taking photos at Jerusalem light festival

By the time I got to the light tunnel crowds were building.

Jerusalem light festival light tunnel and photographers

You should be seeing many photos and videos of this attraction.

Jerusalem light festival shops in Arab shuk open at night

More shops were open in the Arab shuk than in the past.

It got so crowded in some places, I had to hold my camera over my head and push through the crowd trying hard not to fall on the uneven stone streets.

Jerusalem Light festival near Jaffa Gate

I finished the Red Route back at the plaza by Jaffa Gate.

Jerusalem light festival wall near Jaffa Gate

The photo of the walls outside Jaffa Gate was not the usual lovely image.

But it seems this ‘Dance Party’ was just getting started as I was leaving.

This year there was no route that went through the Jewish Quarter.

Remember last year’s beautiful ‘Rainbow’ on the Hurva Synagogue?

I am considering going back next week to check out my new friend’s piano in Davidson Archeological Park.

Equipment for Jerusalem light festival

This was the serious equipment aimed at the walls near the end of the Blue Route.

Jerusalem 2019 Light Festival runs from June 26 to July 4th.

It has been a while since I did over a 3-hour walk.

Make sure you wear good shoes.

Festival of Light in Jerusalem

Let me know what you think of the Festival of Light in Jerusalem if you go.

There’s much more happening in Jerusalem, Israel this week, but enough for now.

 

 

15 thoughts on “Jerusalem 2019 Light Festival in Old City

  • June 28, 2019 at 11:18 am
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    WOW, thank you so much! It was the 2nd best thing to being there!!!

    Reply
    • June 29, 2019 at 4:54 pm
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      Thank you. Shavuah tov.

      Reply
  • Pingback: Jerusalem Light festival. - Israel Active

  • July 1, 2019 at 5:48 pm
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    I enjoyed reading this after I had been there. Btw piano player plays beautifully in a beautiful setting. Music was attractionbless than the lights.

    Reply
    • July 1, 2019 at 6:00 pm
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      I would like to get back to the piano, I hope there is time.

      Reply
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  • July 3, 2019 at 9:44 am
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    This is so beautiful. We’ve never seen the Light Show as it’s around this time of year, and we don’t generally come to Israel in the summer. But your photos make me feel as if we were there. Thank you.

    Reply
    • July 3, 2019 at 10:03 am
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      Thank you.

      Reply
  • July 4, 2019 at 6:52 am
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    Thank you for a great report, I’m sorry there wasn’t a light show on the Hurva Synagogue because that was always a highlight. The Trumpet Flowers at night were all lit up and the kids were having a great time playing on their buttons to make music. I didn’t do the red line but your report makes it worth a trip back! Wine Festival next week?

    Reply
    • July 4, 2019 at 11:44 am
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      Thank you. I was thinking of trying to get back again for the end of the blue line. Yes, the Wine Festival at the Israel Museum is earlier than usual.

      Reply
  • July 5, 2019 at 3:37 am
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    As always, Sharon, thank you for sharing your love of Israel in photos and commentary. I have sent it out to all of the Jewish community here on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia…shabbat shalom…

    Reply
    • July 5, 2019 at 3:50 am
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      Thank you, Hannah. There is of course much more, but only 24 hours in a day! Shabbat Shalom

      Reply
  • July 5, 2019 at 3:58 am
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    Wonderful ! Thank you so very much for sending this.
    Shabbat Shalom

    Reply
    • July 5, 2019 at 4:04 am
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      Glad to hear you appreciated it. Shabbat Shalom

      Reply

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