If you are tired of standard malls, identical shops, and searching for yet another holiday gift that looks like all the rest, a refreshing alternative awaits this weekend just before Rosh Hashanah: Take a short drive to Pardes Hanna-Karkur. Tucked away between the town’s historic streets and buildings (Moshava) are dozens of creative spaces, studios, and galleries - and this coming weekend, nearly all of them will open their doors to the public simultaneously.
From September 3 to 5, "Find Your Art" returns. As one of the region’s longest-running cultural events, the festival offers an experience tailored for anyone seeking a different kind of weekend outing. Over 120 artists will open their workspaces, present their creations, and meet directly with visitors. Guests can wander among paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, fashion, and design pieces, connect with the creators, and purchase original items directly from the sources - whether for their own homes or as holiday gifts.
The primary draw is that this is not merely another festival confined to a single venue. The experience unfolds as an open-air stroll through the town: Visitors wander between creative spaces, step inside private studios normally closed to the public, pause for live music or conversation, and continue on. Anyone who enjoys discovering new places through the people who live and create there will find plenty to explore.
A slow art experience across the town
This year, the event centers around the concept of "Slow Art" - the complete antithesis of fast-paced consumerism, rapid shopping, and fleeting content consumption. Instead of rushing from one store or attraction to the next, the festival invites visitors to pause, take a closer look, speak directly with the creators, and gain insight into the creative process behind each work.
Alongside the open studios, an extensive event lineup awaits: 40 artist talks, 30 musical performances, 12 live demonstrations of creative techniques, eight lectures, and four special exhibitions curated specifically for the festival.
Featured exhibitions include:
- Kavei Achiza (Grip Lines) – a group exhibition at Beit Leem: Center for Material Culture
- Megoreshet (Expelled) – a solo exhibition by Doron Kafri Dahan at Hasulam Art School
- Erut (Awakening) – at the Narbata Cultural Center
- Bechorot (Firstborn) – at the Hapardes Youth Center
Unique gifts and local heritage
Even those attending simply for the vibrant atmosphere rather than as self-described art enthusiasts will find plenty of reasons to explore. The event offers an ideal opportunity to hunt for a one-of-a-kind Rosh Hashanah gift: Rather than buying a mass-produced item from a major retail chain, visitors can discover handmade ceramics, jewelry, original artwork, or home decor - while meeting the very artisan who crafted it.
This year’s festival also features a poignant local tribute, honoring the memory of the late Ilana and Hans Pallada, who were pivotal figures in the cultural heritage of Pardes Hanna-Karkur. As part of this commemoration, a free guided tour titled Makom Shamur (A Place Reserved) will take place, tracing the historical sites and stories that Ilana worked to document and preserve. In addition, an inspiration wall will be set up in the valley (Wadi), sharing their legacy and inviting visitors to contribute their own personal memories.
Best of all? Festival admission is entirely free. You can drop in for a few hours, stroll at your own leisure, take in an exhibition or live performance, enjoy a coffee, and keep moving - or expand your visit into a full day of art, culinary highlights, and local exploration.
When: September 3–5
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission: Free