39. Jewish Cultural Days Berlin 2026
The largest festival of Jewish life in Berlin — 11 days, more than 40 events
About Jewish Cultural Days
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Berlin's Jewish Cultural Festival Since 1987
When Berliners talk about Jewish life in the city, they inevitably also talk about the Jewish Cultural Days Berlin. The Jewish Community of Berlin has been organizing this festival since 1987, which has since become one of the largest and most visible major Jewish cultural events in Germany. The 39th edition takes place from November 12 to 22, 2026 — eleven days with over 40 individual events showcasing the breadth of Jewish cultural creation.
Rykestraße Synagogue as Festival Center
For years, the main venue has been the Rykestraße Synagogue in Prenzlauer Berg (Pankow district) — Berlin's largest active synagogue with over 1,000 seats, built in 1904 and one of the few surviving Jewish sacred buildings in the city after the Nazi era. The major concerts and opening events take place here. In addition, the festival traditionally takes place at various other locations in Berlin — Neue Synagoge — Centrum Judaicum in Mitte, Jewish community centers, theaters, and concert halls.
Concerts, Theater, Readings, Film
The Cultural Days' program is broadly conceived: concerts of classical and contemporary music (Klezmer, Jewish sacred music, jazz, pop), theater productions, readings of current German-Jewish and Israeli literature, screenings of new Israeli feature films with film discussions, panel discussions, and workshops for children and youth. The festival thus covers the entire spectrum of Jewish cultural creation — from tradition to avant-garde, from religious to secular formats.
International Line-up of Artists
The list of artists is international every year: German Jews, Israelis, and diaspora artists from the USA, France, England, and other European countries share the stages. In the previous year (38th edition 2025), performers included comedian Lior Suchard, singer Marina Maximilian, pianist Rami Kleinstein, and jazz bassist Avishai Cohen with the Hebrew Book Band. A similar caliber is expected for 2026 — the official program announcement will be made in the summer of 2026.
A Festival with Political Dimension
The Jewish Cultural Days are not just a cultural festival, but also a political statement: at a time when Jewish life in Germany is increasingly under pressure, they make the diversity, creativity, and self-evidence of Jewish culture in Berlin visible — and underscore that this city has been a place of Jewish cultural renewal for almost four decades. The Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Societal Cohesion supports the festival, which is thus also anchored in state politics.
Jewish Cultural Days — edition 2026
The 39th edition continues the festival framework developed since 1987: eleven days of November programming in Berlin with an international lineup of artists. The Rykestraße Synagogue in Prenzlauer Berg remains the main venue, supplemented by other synagogues, theaters, and cultural centers in the city. The Berlin Senate Department for Culture and the Jewish Community of Berlin jointly support the festival, complemented by international partners and sponsors.
The artistic concept combines high-caliber concerts (classical, contemporary, jazz, Klezmer, pop) with theater, readings, film screenings, and panels. Special formats for children and youth make the festival accessible across generations. Artistic direction: typically a stable festival management team — in 2025 under the artistic direction of Avi Toubiana, likely in continuity for 2026.
Programme Jewish Cultural Days 2026
The complete program for the 39th Jewish Cultural Days Berlin will be announced gradually on juedische-kulturtage.org/programm starting in summer 2026 (advance ticket sales for the previous edition began on June 21). Confirmed framework parameters as of May 2026:
Thursday, November 12, 2026 — Opening
- Opening concert at the Rykestraße Synagogue with a top-tier headliner
- Theme of the edition (previous year: "Atid — Future")
- Reception and welcome by the Jewish Community of Berlin
November 13–21, 2026 — Main Program
- Concerts of classical, sacred, and contemporary Jewish music at the Rykestraße Synagogue
- Theater performances in Berlin theaters (e.g., Maxim Gorki Theater, Berliner Ensemble)
- Readings of German-Jewish and Israeli literature
- Screenings of new Israeli feature films with film discussions
- Panels and discussion formats
- Workshops and programs for children and youth
Sunday, November 22, 2026 — Closing
- Closing concert at the Rykestraße Synagogue
- Summary and preview of the 40th anniversary edition in 2027
Announcement in Summer 2026 — Confirmed So Far
- Festival period: November 12–22, 2026
- Main venue: Rykestraße Synagogue
- Over 40 individual events
- Tickets from €20
Highlights Jewish Cultural Days 2026
- 39th Edition — almost four decades of festival tradition since 1987
- Main venue: Rykestraße Synagogue in Prenzlauer Berg (Pankow)
- Over 40 individual events over 11 days
- International artists from Germany, Israel, France, USA, among others
- Program spectrum: Concerts, theater, readings, films, panels, children/youth
- Tickets from €20
Prices Jewish Cultural Days 2026
Tickets from €20 (plus any booking fees). Sales via juedische-kulturtage.org/tickets, Eventim, and at ticket outlets. Festival passes and multi-ticket options depending on offers. Discounts for schoolchildren, students, and members of the Jewish Community.
Practical information — Jewish Cultural Days
Getting There
Rykestraße Synagogue, Rykestr. 53, 10405 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg (Pankow district). U-Bahn U2 Senefelderplatz (8 min. walk) or Tram M2/M10. See festival program for other venues. Security checks before all events — arrival 30 minutes before start recommended.
Tickets
Advance sales typically start in June — for 2025, advance sales began on June 21 at 12:00 PM. Tickets from €20 regular (plus booking fees). Sales via all major ticket agencies and at juedische-kulturtage.org/tickets and Eventim.
Good to Know
Strict security checks at all venues — bring ID, large bags will be checked. Events mostly in German or with German-English translation, some in Hebrew or other languages with German subtitles. Program for children and youth listed separately.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Jewish Cultural Days
Synagoge Rykestraße + verschiedene Spielorte
Rykestraße 53, 10405 Berlin