Winter Dreams

Winter is coming!

With the arrival of winter, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens will become an international nighttime kingdom of light and imagination. Following its success in major world capitals including Berlin, Paris, London, and Rome, the European light production is coming to Jerusalem in a larger, more illuminated, and more surprising version.

Winter Dreams offers a nighttime journey of approximately two kilometers, in which the vegetation, garden paths, and area surrounding the lake become part of breathtaking scenery combining spectacular light displays, giant sculptures, interactive areas, and light technologies. A musical score written especially for the festival accompanies the journey, connecting art, nature, music, and imagination in an immersive experience.

The journey will begin at the garden’s new entrance, which is opening especially for the festival, and will pass through 17 worlds and areas, each with a unique character. You can wander through the World of Hearts, the World of Butterflies and Fairies, the Japanese World, the Lake of Stars, the Laser Area, and the World of Sweets, alongside additional surprising areas. Along the route, illuminated giant displays will be placed, becoming spectacular photo spots, including an airplane, camel, buffalo, giant heart, and gift sleigh. In the Winter Area, visitors will encounter illuminated penguins and bears alongside a falling-snow effect that will add the magic of the European winter to the experience.

The festival also offers an interactive experience in which visitors are not merely spectators but participate in creating the light experience. Among other things, you can play illuminated tam-tam drums and use them to activate the lighting, alongside additional interactive elements throughout the route.

In the covered and heated conference hall ליד the lake, a culinary area will be established under the direction of chefs Moshik Roth and Guy Gamzu. There, you can combine the tour among the light displays with a meal and wintertime recreation in an atmosphere reminiscent of Europe’s winter markets. The menu will combine street food with dishes in a chef-restaurant style and will include, among other offerings, “Franco,” Moshik Roth’s new sausage, alongside his famous hamburger. Dishes from the “Nununu” food brand by Guy Gamzu will also be offered, including a bun with pulled meat and a tofu curry dish. Special desserts and a selection of hot chocolate drinks will complete the experience.

Alongside the culinary area, a winter food market inspired by the winter markets of Europe’s capitals will operate, offering a variety of dishes and foods. Among other offerings will be Amsterdam fries served in a cone with a selection of sauces, winter soups, fish and chips, chicken schnitzel bites with potatoes, pizza, and campfire potatoes with a variety of toppings. Alongside the savory dishes, hot chestnuts, popcorn, cotton candy, Belgian waffles on a stick, and additional sweets will be served.

Alongside the light trail and food market, a colorful winter market will also operate, inspired by the familiar markets of European cities. The market will feature works of art, handicrafts, and original products by Jerusalem artists and reservist artists from throughout the country.

[Click here for the Yerushalmi Club benefit – ₪69 (full price ₪139).]

[For additional details, click here.]

Contact: The Botanical Gardens
Phone: 02-6794012