The Bezalel Academy of Art and Design

Every Friday 150 Israeli artists set up their stalls along the pedestrian Bezalel Hakatan Street in Jerusalem to display and sell their creations. The event attracts approximately 10,000 visitors each week. The market is popular with locals and visitors alike who come to browse the amazing variety of arts and crafts on offer and enjoy the atmosphere. 

Among the stalls, you will find handmade jewelry, decorative arts, organic skincare products, gifts, Judaica, paintings, sculptures, mobiles, handmade leather products, and much more. The list of items on sale continues with wooden pieces, metalwork, handmade musical instruments, handmade clothing, crafted toys, ornaments, woven items, textiles, glasswork, drawings, photography, ceramics, and design.

If you are familiar with the Tel Aviv Nachalat Binyamin market then this is similar. This is the perfect place to find unique souvenirs and memorable items to take home with you instead of the run-of-the-mill souvenir store items. The fair is an opportunity for artists to interact with their clients and meet the public.

The artists are usually the ones behind the stalls selling the items and they are always willing to strike up a conversation about their work. The fair was first held in 2009 and since then has become a popular feature of the local community and a Jerusalem tradition. There is an incredible atmosphere at the fair with regular street performers and musicians livening up the event.

The fair has also become the site for social awareness groups to set up stalls and explain their viewpoints in an effort to recruit volunteers. Of course no Israeli gathering is complete without food so you will find cafes and stalls providing delicious cuisine as well as stalls selling honey, olive oil and other food items.

Bezalel Academy of Art and Design

The market is appropriately located adjacent to the famous Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. This famous establishment was founded in 1906 and has produced some of Israel’s leading talents. The name of the school and the street comes from Exodus 31, 1-5.

“The Lord said…I have chosen Bezalel…to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” Graduates of the prestigious school have spearheaded Israeli design. Today about 2,000 students are enrolled in Bezalel studying for their undergraduate degrees in various art-related fields.

Bezalel Arts and Crafts Fair, Jerusalem

Where: Between Schaltz pedestrian street, Bezalel Hakatan Street, and the Schieber Park in Jerusalem; not far from Ben Yehuda street promenade on the edge of the Nahlaot neighborhood.
When: Every Friday about 9 am-3 pm and until 4 pm in summer.