The urban architecture festival Open House - Jerusalem returns to the capital on October 15-17 and October 22-24, offering an opportunity to explore the city from a different perspective: behind the doors of private homes, in historic buildings, at construction sites, and in urban spaces that are not always open to the public.
This year, the festival marks 20 years of activity with tours and activities that will allow visitors to rediscover Jerusalem, its architectural story, and the diverse communities that live in it. Admission to the tours is free.
The festival, initiated by the Jerusalem Municipality and the Jerusalem Development Authority, was inspired by Open House Worldwide, an international initiative under which similar festivals are held in major cities around the world, including London, New York, Barcelona, Melbourne, Rome, and Dublin.
A glimpse into the Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue
One of the highlights of this year's program is a tour of the magnificent Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Visitors will get a glimpse of the historic structure just before the completion of restoration and construction work and its opening to the public, accompanied by architect Carlos Prus, who is leading the complex project.
Alongside this tour, the program includes a wide range of routes and meetings divided into various categories, so both avid architecture enthusiasts and those who simply want to get to know Jerusalem from an unconventional angle will find something of interest.
What else is on the program?
New and exciting: Less familiar homes and sites, secret places opening to the public for the first time, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and visiting experiences created especially for the festival.
For Jerusalem lovers and the curious: Tours following the history, construction, and diverse communities of the city, with an opportunity to closely experience its human and cultural mosaic.
Architecture for architects: Tours of new buildings, construction sites, and interesting architectural projects designed for professionals and enthusiasts in the field.
Art and literature in Jerusalem: Tours following books and plots set in the city, visits to the childhood neighborhoods of authors, meetings at artists' homes, graffiti tours, and meetings with curators, creators, and poets in their workspaces.
Private homes: One of the most popular categories at the festival, allowing a glimpse into beautiful homes, various design styles, and ideas that visitors can take home.
Ecological and social: Tours and sites focusing on urban nature conservation, environmental quality, and the people working toward a sustainable urban space in Jerusalem.
Open House will take place on October 15-17 and October 22-24, 2026. Admission to the tours is free, subject to the terms of participation and registration for each tour.