Tel Aviv’s White Night

Tel Aviv, a city known for its hot night life, gets even hotter every summer with the citywide "Layla Lavan" (or White Night) festival at the end of June-beginning of July. Begun in 2005 to pay tribute to Tel Aviv's International Style architecture and recognition as the "White City," the festival has grown over the last several years and now includes concerts, theater, films, sports activities and more running throughout the night.

As the world becomes their stage, actors, comedians, and other performers take to the streets to perform plays, improv, and more. For those geared towards the intellect, many of the city's museums and historical sites are open to the wee hours of the morning, with discounts or free entrance.

The city's spiritual centers also join in, offering sessions on Jewish mysticism, group learning opportunities, and tours on the city's religious personas such as Rav Kook and his home in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood. If sports are more your thing, you can always check out the extreme sports parks for some skateboarding or catch a game of b-ball at one of the sports parks open during the night.

What's fun without food, though? Tons of great Tel Aviv restaurants offer specials during the White Night festival and 2008 saw a white wine festival at La La Land, a stone's throw from many Tel Aviv hotels. The soundtrack of the White Night experience comes from the concerts spread throughout the city, from the beach lined with Tel Aviv hotels to Rothschild Boulevard to the Central Bus Station. Musical acts include well-known names on the Israeli music scene such as The Giraffot, Hadag Nachash, David Broza, and more.

Plenty of venues are within walking distance of Tel Aviv hotels, and should you find yourself in Tel Aviv during the White Night festival, make sure to ask the friendly staff at Adiv Hotel for more information about this summer festival.