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Day Tours in Israel

Christmas Eve in Jerusalem and Midnight Mass in Bethlehem Tour

Full day
Pickup: Jerusalem hotels, afternoon (around
4.4/5 company rating on TourRadar

DurationFull day
StartsAfternoon, hotel pickup
GuideEnglish
Group sizeUp to 15 travelers
CancellationFree cancellation up to 36 hours before the start time.

Overview

This Christmas Eve Bethlehem tour lets you spend the most meaningful night of the Christian year in the town where the story began. You start in Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, then travel to Bethlehem for a festive dinner near Manger Square and Midnight Mass, either inside the Church of the Nativity or on the big screens in the square.

Pickup from your Jerusalem hotel is in the afternoon. The first stop is the Mount of Olives for the classic view over the Old City and the Garden of Gethsemane, followed by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with Calvary and the tomb of Jesus. You then drive through modern Jerusalem past the Knesset and the Israel Museum and cross into Bethlehem, where you change vehicles, see the Christmas decorations and sit down to a Christmas Eve dinner before the Mass.

The tour suits pilgrims, church groups, couples and families who want to celebrate Christmas in the Holy Land without handling checkpoints, crowds and late-night transport on their own. A guided evening gets you to Bethlehem at the right time and back to your hotel without hunting for a taxi after midnight. It runs on a single date each year, so plan your Christmas Eve Bethlehem tour early.

The tour departs on 24 December, with hotel pickup and drop-off in Jerusalem, a professional guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees and the Christmas Eve dinner included. Prices are per person, children pay a lower rate, and the booking form shows the exact price. Staying in Tel Aviv? Add pickup from Tel Aviv on the booking form. You can cancel for free up to 36 hours before the start time. Visiting on other days too? Try our Jerusalem and Bethlehem tour, the Christian Jerusalem tour or the Bethlehem day tour. Reserve your place on the Christmas Eve Bethlehem tour today.

Highlights

Departs on 24 December with hotel pickup in Jerusalem
Panoramic view from the Mount of Olives over the Old City
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with Calvary and the tomb of Jesus
Drive past the Knesset and the Israel Museum
Christmas lights and decorations in Bethlehem
Festive Christmas Eve dinner near Manger Square
Midnight Mass at the Church of the Nativity or on big screens in Manger Square
Professional guide, entrance fees and hotel drop-off included

Itinerary

AfternoonPickup from your Jerusalem hotel
Your Christmas Eve Bethlehem tour starts with pickup from your hotel in Jerusalem, estimated at around 3:15 PM. The exact time is confirmed before the tour. Dress warmly, because the evening gets chilly.
Late afternoonMount of Olives viewpoint
The first stop is the Mount of Olives, with a sweeping view across the Kidron Valley to the walls and golden Dome of the Rock in the Old City. Below you lies the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed on the night before his arrest.
Early eveningChurch of the Holy Sepulchre
In the Old City you visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which holds Calvary, the site of the crucifixion, and the tomb of Jesus. The church stands inside the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
EveningDrive through modern Jerusalem
The route continues through the new city, passing the Knesset, Israel's parliament, and the Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Then you head south to Bethlehem.
EveningArrival in Bethlehem
At the entrance to Bethlehem you change to a local vehicle, which is required when entering Palestinian territory. Your guide shows you the Christmas lights and decorations, with a stop at a local shop for refreshments.
EveningChristmas Eve dinner near Manger Square
A festive Christmas Eve dinner is served near Manger Square, the heart of the celebrations in Bethlehem. The square fills with visitors from around the world as midnight gets closer.
MidnightMidnight Mass
The night ends with Midnight Mass. When entry is possible, you attend inside the Church of the Nativity, part of the UNESCO-listed Birthplace of Jesus site. Otherwise you watch the Mass with the crowds on the big screens in Manger Square.
After MassReturn to your hotel
After the celebrations you drive back to Jerusalem and are dropped off at your hotel late at night.

What's included

Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Jerusalem
Professional guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance fees
Christmas Eve dinner in Bethlehem

Not included

Drinks
Tips and personal expenses
Personal travel insurance
Pickup from Tel Aviv (available as an extra)

Pickup & meeting point

Jerusalem hotels, afternoon (around 15:15)No pickup fee

You choose your pickup city when you book. We confirm the exact pickup time and place by email or WhatsApp the day before the tour.

Tour ends with: Return to your hotel

Know before you go

Pickup and Start Time

The tour departs on 24 December. Pickup from Jerusalem hotels is in the afternoon, estimated at around 3:15 PM, and the exact time is confirmed before the tour. Pickup from Tel Aviv can be added on the booking form. You return to your hotel late at night, after Midnight Mass.

Accommodation

This is an evening tour without a hotel night. You can add a 3-star hotel night before or after the tour on the booking form.

Prices

Prices are per person, and children pay a lower rate. The booking form shows the exact price.

Passport and Checkpoints

A passport is compulsory. The tour enters Palestinian territory, and you change to a local vehicle at the entrance to Bethlehem. Israeli citizens are generally not allowed to enter Bethlehem.

What to Bring

Passport
Warm clothing for the cold evening
Comfortable walking shoes
Cash for drinks and tips

Dress Code

Modest dress is required at the holy sites: cover your knees and shoulders.

Physical Requirements

A reasonable amount of walking on stone streets and steps, and standing in crowded squares. A normal level of fitness is enough.

Age and Children

Children aged 4 and over are welcome and pay a lower rate. The supplier does not accept children under 4 on group tours. The tour runs until after midnight.

Language

The tour is guided in English.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 36 hours before the start time. Cancellations after that are not refunded.

Cancellation policy

When you cancel	Cancellation fee
36+ hours before the start time	Free cancellation
The day before the tour	25% fee
On the day of the tour, or no-show	100% fee (no refund)

Need to change your date instead? Message us before the tour and we will do our best to move your booking. If we cancel or materially change a tour, you can choose an alternative date, a credit or a refund. Read the booking terms.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Christmas Eve Bethlehem tour include?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Jerusalem, a professional guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees and a Christmas Eve dinner in Bethlehem. Drinks, tips and personal expenses are not included. The booking form shows the exact price per person.

When does the tour run?

The tour departs on 24 December only. Pickup from Jerusalem hotels is in the afternoon, estimated at around 3:15 PM, and the exact time is confirmed before the tour. You return to your hotel late at night, after Midnight Mass.

Can I attend Midnight Mass inside the Church of the Nativity?

Entry to the church on Christmas Eve is not guaranteed, because space is very limited. When entry is possible you attend the Mass inside. If not, you watch it on the big screens in Manger Square together with the crowds, which is a special experience in itself.

Do I need my passport?

Yes, a passport is compulsory, because the tour enters Palestinian territory and passes a checkpoint. You also change to a local vehicle at the entrance to Bethlehem. Israeli citizens are generally not allowed to enter Bethlehem, so contact us before booking if this applies to you.

Can I join from Tel Aviv?

Yes. You can add pickup from Tel Aviv on the booking form. The exact pickup time from Tel Aviv is confirmed before the tour.

What should I wear?

Modest dress is required at the holy sites, so cover your knees and shoulders. Bring warm clothing too, as December evenings in Jerusalem and Bethlehem are cold. If you want to explore more of the Old City of Jerusalem on another day, comfortable shoes make a big difference.

How much walking is involved?

There is a reasonable amount of walking, mostly on stone streets, steps and through busy squares. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Manger Square is very crowded on Christmas Eve, so stay close to your guide.

Can children join?

Yes, children aged 4 and over are welcome and pay a lower rate, shown on the booking form. Keep in mind that the tour runs until after midnight, which is a long evening for young children.

How should I plan Christmas in the Holy Land?

Book your hotel and this tour early, because Christmas is one of the busiest weeks of the year in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. You can add a 3-star hotel night before or after the tour on the booking form. Our travel guide has more ideas for planning your days around Christmas.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 36 hours before the start time. After that the booking cannot be refunded. See our booking terms for full details.

Why book with Booking-Tours

Local operator in Eilat since 2008Our own office and team on the ground, not a call center abroad.
Licensed local guidesSmall details, good pacing and real stories at every stop.
Real people on WhatsAppHelp in English, Russian and Hebrew before and during your trip.
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