The period of festivities began with the two-day Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) on the eve of September 25, continues with the 25 hour fast known as the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) from sunset on October 4 to sunset the following day and culminates in the seven day festival known as the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) from the eve of October 9 through to October 17.

It should be noted that most museums, tourist attractions, stores, cafes and restaurants will be closed and public transportation will not operate on the following days in respect of the Jewish holidays: October 4 (from late afternoon) to sunset October 5;  October 9 (eve) and 10; October 16 (eve) and 17.

The days before the festivals are filled with a sense of excitement, urgency and expectation as locals make their final preparations. The stores are packed, Mahane Yehuda market buzzes with activity and the streets take on a festive air. There is an unwritten law throughout Israel forbidding the use of vehicular transport on Yom Kippur, to respect the solemnity of the day. While Yom Kippur is a time for prayer and repentance for religious and traditionally observant Jews, the secular population – adults and children alike- enjoy riding their bikes, scooters and skateboards through streets and highways completely empty of traffic. The traditional blast of the shofar (a ram's horn) is clearly audible in the streets of the city, marking the end of Yom Kippur. Very shortly afterwards, the sound of construction can be heard, as families begin to build the sukkah (temporary booth) in which they will eat and even sleep during the festival of Sukkot. These booths, open to the sky and made of wood or cloth, can be seen on almost every street in Jerusalem, from the sidewalks to individual balconies and courtyards. The largest Sukkah in the world, according to the Jerusalem Municipality, can be found in Safra Square in the heart of the city, serving as a venue for cultural events throughout the week of Sukkot from 11:00 every day.  As part of the preparations for the Sukkot festival, colorful and festive Four Species markets open throughout Jerusalem, with the main market located just outside Mahane Yehuda market.

More than 50 stalls will sell the four species, from October 6-9 from 09:00 through to 23:00 (midnight on Saturday evening). The four species – etrog, lulav, hadas and arava in Hebrew, citron, date palm, myrtle and willow – are all mentioned in the Torah (Leviticus 23:40) as being relevant to the holiday. Buyers take great care to choose the perfect specimens, taking particular care with the citron fruit. The three branches are tied together and, with the etrog/citron, observant Jews wave them in a symbolic allusion to service to God. The Western Wall Plaza is being prepared for the arrival of thousands of people during the upcoming Sukkot holiday, commemorating the pilgrimage, following the month of selichot (penitential prayers) in which tens of thousands came to the Wall to pray. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation will be building sukkot for the benefit of the public, as in previous years, one of which will contain the arba minim, the four species.

The traditional Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) will take place on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 09:30 and at 10:30.

The custom to renew Birkat Kohanim was established 52 years ago by the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gafner. It has been organized for years by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation on the intermediate days of Pesach and Sukkot when hundreds of kohanim bless the tens of thousands of people who stream to the Western Wall to receive the blessing written in the Torah. The dedication of three Torah scrolls will take place on Wednesday, October 12 from 18:00 to 20:15. This ceremony takes place every seven years in commemoration of an event that took place in the days of the Temple when men, women, and children would gather at the end of the shmitta year. In commemoration of that awe-inspiring event, three Torah scrolls will be dedicated at the Western Wall Plaza, in the presence of the President of Israel, the Chief Rabbis past and present, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites and many rabbinical figures. The event will be accompanied by Cantor Yisrael Adler, Paytan and Cantor Moshe Chavusha, Singer Nemuel Harosh, and the Neranena Choir.

The traditional festive second Hakafot (dancing with the Torah scrolls) will take place at the Western Wall Plaza on Monday, October 17, 2022 starting at 22:00.

Another highlight is the traditional Jerusalem March, part of the Feast of Tabernacles organized by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem on Thursday, October 13. Over 2,500 Christians from over 70 nations will converge on Israel for a week of touring and festivities, culminating in an outpouring of love for Jerusalem as they march through the city, carrying flags and cheered on by spectators lining the route.

The day's events will begin with a morning march from 07:00 – 10:00, continue in Gan Sacher with entertainment and activities from 10:00 through to 16:00, and then end with the main march through the city which will begin at 15:00.

Foodies will not be disappointed, as the annual Tastes of the World fair will take place October 11-13 in the gardens at the foot of the Old City walls. Food trucks from well-known Jerusalem restaurants, caterers and others will be offering tastes of kosher international and local cuisine. Free entry. Klezmer bands will provide free entertainment at the entrance to the Old City from 11-13 October from 10:00 -14:00 and from 16:00 – 19:00. Street entertainers will liven the atmosphere in the center of town from 11-13 October from 16:00 – 19:00. These are just some of the highlights awaiting visitors and tourists in Jerusalem this festive season.