Nothing spells summer like a great evening spent outdoors enjoying amazing music. The upcoming spring/summer season is packed with great live shows by both Israeli and visiting artists of varying styles, meaning there’s something out there to suit everybody.

Scroll down below to check out our recommendations – some indoors, some out, some local and some international. What’s common to all is that they promise a great evening ahead. 

1.  Shlomo Artzi at the Zappa Amphitheater Shuni, April 13

Shlomo Artzi is the king of Israeli music, with a career spanning over 50 years. You’ll be hard pressed to find an Israeli who can’t sing along to the majority of his songs, and this show is a great opportunity to get familiar with a national treasure. The setting, at a Roman amphitheater near Binyamina in northern Israel, is absolutely stunning. Get ready for a most magical night.

2.  Gidi Gov at Zappa Beersheba, April 20

Gidi Gov is another household name in Israel whose career spans more than 50 years. He did a stint at Kaveret, one of Israel’s best-loved bands, and went on to an impressive solo music, acting and presenting career. Having gone to one of his shows last summer, this writer can confirm that even now, over the age of 70, Gov is a brilliant performer, and very, very funny. Highly recommended.

3.  Backstreet Boys at Rishon Lezion Live Park, May 13

In amazing news for all the Nineties kids out there, Backstreet Boys are coming to Israel this summer in what promises to be a super fun and nostalgic night. There’s a slight issue in the form of the Eurovision final taking place on the very same evening, but hey, we are more than willing to multitask.

4.  Summer in the City in Tel Aviv, May 31 and June 1

The new Summer in the City festival in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park has an incredible lineup: Sam Smith, Papa Roach and Robbie Williams on the international front and local stars Static and Nunu on the Israeli one. The two-day event is conveniently located right in the city, and is likely to draw a huge crowd, so best book your tickets now.  

5.  Guns N’ Roses at Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv, June 5

Guns N’ Roses last performed in Israel back in 2017, and it was an unforgettable event. This summer’s show promises to be much the same, giving fans an opportunity to sing along to all our favorite rock classics. “November Rain” in soaring-temperatures-in-June, anyone? 

6.  Marina Maximillian at Caesarea Ampitheater, June 10

Marina Maximillian is one of Israel’s best-loved performers, and this summer she’s going to perform for the very first time at Caesarea Ampitheater, perhaps the most coveted stage in the country. The show promises to include all her favorite songs, surprise guests and an amazing band. 

7.  Idan Raichel at Zappa in the Park, Tel Aviv, June 17

Idan Raichel is one of Israel’s most successful musical exports, and we can definitely see why: the touching texts, the amazing melodies and a whole lot of talent all make him a superstar. His summer show in Tel Aviv is set to be an intimate one – just Raichel and the piano. We cannot think of a more fabulous way to spend an evening.

8.  Ishay Ribo at Sultan’s Pool, Jerusalem, June 29

One of Israel’s favorite singers, Ishay Ribo brings together Israelis from all walks of life — Orthodox, religious and secular — with his wonderful music. At the end of June, he’s set to perform at one of the most amazing venues in the country, the ancient Sultan’s Pool right next to Jerusalem’s Old City walls. He will host the aforementioned Idan Raichel, and the combination of the two will definitely blow the lucky audience’s mind.

9. Chava Alberstein at the Israeli Opera House, Tel Aviv, July 1

Chava Alberstein is one of Israel’s most well-known veteran performers. Her music cuts across all tastes and ages, and she has admirers young and old, new and faithful. Her show in Tel Aviv is set to weave together some of her many works over the past decades and will undoubtedly be a delightful event. 

10.  The Black Keys at Zappa Live in Rishon Lezion, July 10

The Black Keys coming to Israel this summer is great news – the popular American rock duo will likely draw a pretty big crowd. The venue here is an outdoor amphitheater – albeit a modern one – that’s perfect for live shows. If you want to enjoy some contemporary English-language music while here, this is the show for you.

11.  Buddy Guy at Caesarea Ampitheater, July 19

There’s really no need to introduce living legend Buddy Guy, so let’s just say that it’s only fitting that he’ll be playing on Israel’s most majestic stage later this summer. The upcoming show will not be Guy’s first in Israel – he already graced our stages back in 1993, 2016 and 2018 – and we’re sure that this time too will be a night to remember.

12.  Imagine Dragons at Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv, August 29

Finishing off the summer season will be American rock pop band Imagine Dragons. The band is super popular here in Israel and will be arriving as part of a European tour celebrating the release of a new album. Expect lots of excited teenagers enjoying one of their last nights off before school begins.