Memorial Day in Jerusalem 2026: Full Program of Events and Ceremonies
Today, Jerusalem bows its head in memory of those who gave their lives for the country. As part of the commemorative events, members of youth movements will lay wreaths at approximately 110 memorials throughout the city.
Yad La-Banim — Official Ceremony
16:00 – 17:30 | A ceremony in memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers will be held at the Yad La-Banim complex.
Host: Yael Bar Zohar.
Featuring: Osher Cohen, Yuval Raphael, Ninet Tayeb, and the IDF Theater.
Moshava Germanit — Community Ceremony
19:45 | A community memorial ceremony will take place in the German Colony (Moshava Germanit) at 27 Ha-Tzfira St.
Sultan’s Pool — Main Evening Event
20:00 | “Remembering, Singing, and Telling” — Sultan’s Pool (Birkhat Ha-Sultan)
The main event of the evening features meetings with bereaved families and performances by leading Israeli artists (Aviv Geffen, Rita, Ishay Ribo, Eden Golan, and others).
Hosts: Hila Korach and Amos Tamam.
Safra Square — “Singing in the Center”
Safra Square will host the event “Singing in the Center,” dedicated to the Day of Remembrance for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism.
Safra Square Schedule:
20:30: Communal singing with Daniel Zakai.
21:00: Concert featuring: Erez Lev Ari, Hila Ruach, Iftach Dekel, Yifat Natovich, Eden Golan, and Micha Shitrit.
Host: Inbal Dekel Goldberg.
In the program: Screening of animated films from the “Faces. Day. Memorial” project by Beit Avi Chai, and VJ Mejadara Eyes.
Admission is free.
Beit Ha-Am — Evening of War Songs
21:30 | An evening of war songs at Beit Ha-Am (11 Bezalel St.).
Performers: Eden Golan, Yonatan Dror, and Ofer Kalaf.
The event will feature the parents of Staff Sergeant Aner Elyakim Shapiro (Z”L).
Entry requires prior registration.
April 21 — Memorial Ceremonies Across the City
09:00 | Ceremonies at City Memorials
Commemorative events will take place in the neighborhoods of Yamin Moshe, Abu Tor (Park for the Blind), on the Armon Ha-Natziv Promenade, in the Peace Forest (Yaar Ha-Shalom), and at Ramat Rachel.
09:00 | Central Ceremony at Safra Square
With the participation of IDF soldiers, bereaved families, and the general public.
Program: Torch lighting, “Yizkor” and “Kaddish” prayers, reading of Psalms, wreath-laying, and memorial hymns.
State Ceremony at Mount Herzl
The memorial events will conclude with the torch-lighting ceremony at 19:45. This is a moment of profound national unity as the country transitions from personal and collective mourning to the celebration of sovereignty. The torches lit on Mount Herzl serve as a reminder that Israel’s independence is inextricably linked to the sacrifices of those who defended it.
