Holiday guide
Lag BaOmer
Lag BaOmer is the 33rd day of the Omer count between Passover and Shavuot, a break in a period of semi-mourning, associated with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
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Israel or the diaspora?
Same date everywhere.
On the ground
What happens in Israel
Bonfires on every patch of open ground, built by children for weeks beforehand, and a huge pilgrimage to Mount Meron. Air quality across the country measurably drops that night.
Practice
How it is observed
- Bonfires across Israel and at Jewish communities worldwide
- The mass pilgrimage to Mount Meron, resting place of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
- Weddings and haircuts, paused during the Omer, resume
- First haircuts (upsherin) for three-year-old boys
"Lag BaOmer sameach"
Anything grilled: the bonfire barbecue is the modern Israeli tradition.
Year by year
Lag BaOmer dates, year by year
Every date from 2024 to 2030, computed from the Hebrew calendar. Each year has its own page with candle lighting times.
The rest of the calendar
Other Jewish holidays
8 of the 14 other holidays on the Hebrew calendar, nearest date first. Every card opens a guide with dates from 2024 to 2030.
September 12, 2026
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year (start of Hebrew year 5787). Shofar blasts, apples and honey, two days of prayer and festive meals.
September 21, 2026
Yom Kippur
The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year. A 25-hour fast from sundown to nightfall.
September 26, 2026
Sukkot
The festival of booths. A week of meals in the sukkah with the four species. The first two days are yom tov in the diaspora.
October 3, 2026
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
The closing festival of Sukkot, followed by Simchat Torah: finishing and restarting the Torah reading with dancing. One combined day in Israel, two in the diaspora.
December 5, 2026
Hanukkah
The festival of lights: eight nights of candle lighting marking the rededication of the Temple. Latkes, sufganiyot and dreidels.
January 23, 2027
Tu BiShvat
The new year of the trees. Tree planting in Israel and eating the fruits of the land.
March 23, 2027
Purim
Celebrates the rescue of the Jews of Persia as told in the Book of Esther. Megillah readings, costumes, mishloach manot and festive meals.
April 22, 2027
Passover (Pesach)
The festival of freedom, marking the Exodus from Egypt. Seder nights, matzah, and no chametz for eight days (seven in Israel).
Frequently asked questions
When is Lag BaOmer?+
The next Lag BaOmer begins at sundown on May 24, 2027 and ends at nightfall on May 25, 2027. Because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, the Gregorian date shifts each year while the season stays fixed.
What is Lag BaOmer?+
Lag BaOmer is the 33rd day of the Omer count between Passover and Shavuot, a break in a period of semi-mourning, associated with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
Does Israel observe Lag BaOmer differently?+
Same date everywhere.
What is Lag BaOmer like in Israel?+
Bonfires on every patch of open ground, built by children for weeks beforehand, and a huge pilgrimage to Mount Meron. Air quality across the country measurably drops that night.