Not far from Tel Aviv, Israel’s Coastal resort of Herzliya is offering a host of festivals throughout this summer of 2013! As a major “beach person” I personally love Herzliya as a modern resort city with some of the finest beaches in Israel. Named after Theodor (Benjamin Zeev) Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, Herzliya is actually located at the northern part of the Tel Aviv District on the central coast.
One of Israel’s most affluent districts, Herzilya is divided in two. The “city” which is highly sought after by many High Tech Company Headquarters and Herzliya Pituach the residential area and home to ambassadors, foreign diplomats, celebrities and businessmen. The combination of high-end resort and its close proximity to Tel Aviv makes it ideal and popular with the country’s elite. Herzilya Pituach is also where Israel’s most expensive and extravagant homes are located.
The Herzliya Marina where many of the festivals are taking place is the largest marina in the Mediterranean Basin.
Should you be around the area between June and September, be sure to hit Herzliya for one or more of these events:
This summer, Musikaitz (a contraction of “music” and “summer”) features music, poetry and dance performances every Sunday in July and August in Ben Shefer Park. Classical Music Concerts at sunset are open to the public in Herzilya Park every Saturday night at 7pm from June through September. Music Festival on the water, every Tuesday at 8 pm in July and August at the Herzilya Marina Plaza is highlighted by free, live performances by musical ensembles from all over the world. Jazz at Sunset, a new series this year runs every Thursday in July and August at the Accadia Beach Boardwalk. Israeli folk dancing at the Marina Beach gets going every Saturday morning at 10:30 am until 2:30 pm. The Goldstar Zappa on the Beach Festival, June 19-21 at South Accadia Beach is a great opportunity to see free performances by leading Israeli artists with food stalls, bars and arts & crafts vendors all along the beachfront. Jet-Ski Competition on June 22 at South Accadia Beach from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. Dining on the Water Festival takes place on July 3 and 4 along the beach boardwalk, featuring some of Harzliya’s top hotels and restaurants offering reasonably priced samples of gourmet food items, boutique beers and Israeli wine. Live performances, cooking classes and other activities are available and admission is free. The Samuel Adams Longshot Competition and Beer Festival at the Marina will run on July 18 & 19 from 6-11pm for ages 18 and over. Sample over 100 boutique beers and root for your favorite home brew. Finally, on September 28 is The End of the Summer Beach Party, complete with DJ music; beach sports; aerobics; Zumba and Kickboxing lessons; a design fair plus many food and beverage choices.
If you are not a person to lounge on the beach for hours, Herzliya boasts two fine museums. The “Founders House” depicts the everyday life of the town’s first settlers and the Herzliya Museum of Israeli Art & Sculpture Garden, which exhibits the work of current and contemporary artists.
