Ashdod marks the Jewish year with municipal and community events, and its immigrant communities add their own dates. Hebcal gives candle-lighting and havdalah times for Ashdod (Hebcal (opens in a new tab)).
Tishrei
- Before Sukkot the municipality distributes pruned branches (sechach) to residents for their sukkot and runs extra clean-ups (Tishrei 2026 page (opens in a new tab)).
- Hakafot shniyot (second hakafot) on the night after Simchat Torah are a tradition in Rova Bet: in 2026 they were held on Saturday night, 22 Tishrei, in the quarter's commercial centre, with a procession from the Bnei Akiva branch (municipal news (opens in a new tab)).
Hanukkah
Ironit's community centres put on Hanukkah shows and workshops; in 2026 these include a Maccabees show at Am Shalom community centre on 3 December and a parent-and-child menorah workshop at the Ashdod Museum of Art on 19 November (see the events list).
Pesach
The Religious Council sells the city's reshuyot (public domains) each Erev Pesach together with the police commander and the mayor, so that the city eruv stays valid (eruv map 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
9 May: Victory Day
Every 9 May the municipal absorption department holds a veterans' parade of about a thousand people, with wreath-laying at the city's WWII memorials, for the many residents from the former USSR (absorption events (opens in a new tab)).
Shabbat and festivals in practice
- There is no public transport on Shabbat and festivals.
- The separate (religious) beach is closed on Shabbat and holidays, with no lifeguards (beach page (opens in a new tab)).
