The Haifa Theater Children's Plays Festival, one of the oldest and most influential cultural events in Israel for children and youth, is kicking off its 36th year between August 25–27, 2026 in the Theater District in Haifa. The festival will offer three days of an original, colorful, and multicultural theatrical celebration for the whole family, under the sign of intergenerational connection.
A major show to mark 60 years of educational television
For the first time, the festival will collaborate with Educational Television, in which the main show "Greetings from Kishkashta" will be dedicated to the 60th anniversary of Educational Television. In the show, a child who stayed home with his father embarks on a vivid and imaginative journey between the stations of memory and imagination, and meets iconic characters from Educational Television who have left their mark on generations of children. Through the encounters, an intergenerational, moving and funny story is woven, celebrating the beloved programs, characters and songs of Educational Television.
The show will feature Haifait – the Haifa Theater's youth group, Shari Tzuriel, Nira Rabinovich, Tzipi Mor, Tal and Ido Mosseri, Hani Nachmias and Mickey Kam.
Five new original productions will compete in the festival competition
Five new original productions will participate in the festival's official competition.
- "The Stick" – A comedy musical for the whole family by Yaron Edelstein and Aharon Levin, directed by Tal Brenner and in collaboration with the Triangle Theater, which tells the story of Moka, a lonely stick figure who does not belong to a pair and is therefore forbidden to board the lifeboat during a global flood.
Dates: 25.8: 12:00, 15:00 | 26.8: 10:00, 12:00, 16:30 | 27.8: 10:00, 14:30, 18:00 - "Giant Dwarf" – A fantastic comedy drama for ages 9–12 written and directed by Amir Petar, directed by Merav Lachman and in collaboration with the National Theater, about a short boy who dreams of playing soccer and meets Leo Messi.
Dates: 25.8: 10:00, 12:00, 16:30 | 26.8: 11:30, 14:00, 18:00 | 27.8: 13:30, 16:30 - "The Tiny Kingdom" – A musical fairy tale for ages 7–10 based on a book by Etgar Keret, directed by Amit Levy and in collaboration with the Mediatech Theater.
Dates: 25.8: 11:30, 14:00, 18:00 | 26.8: 13:30, 16:30 | 27.8: 11:30, 14:00, 18:00 - "How to pack elephants" – An exciting musical for ages 5–9 directed by Tal Grushka and in collaboration with Orna Porat Theater
Dates: 25.8: 10:30, 14:30, 16:30 | 26.8: 15:30, 18:00 | 27.8: 10:00, 12:00, 16:30 - "Team for the matter" – An intimate comedy drama for ages 9–12 directed by Alon Lior and in collaboration with the Kibbutz Theater.
Dates: 25.8: 10:00, 14:30, 18:00 | 26.8: 10:00, 14:30, 18:00 | 27.8: 12:00, 15:00
Guest performances in different languages and for diverse audiences
The festival, which has set itself the goal of mediating, making it accessible, and accommodating all types of populations, will host a repertoire of nine selected plays this year intended for different audiences, including plays in Arabic, plays in Russian, and plays specifically for children with special needs.
This is a broad offering that seeks to reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Israeli audience, and to allow every boy and girl to find relevant and appropriate content for them within the framework of the festival.
Free musical performances every evening
This year's novelty at the festival is a large musical performance. Every evening at 19:00 PM, free admissionThe three shows, "Cloud on a Stick", "Children's Hive" and "Children of the Tree House", Based on a high-quality musical repertoire that has become an integral part of the soundtrack of Israeli childhood, the performances will bring to the stage live arrangements of all-time favorite classics, combining music, theater, and imagination, allowing children and parents to enjoy a high-quality, accessible, and free musical experience together.
Festive outdoor performances throughout the day with free admission
Throughout the festival, outdoor performances will be held in the theater plaza and in Benjamin Garden, including dance performances, live sculptures, breakdance, street theater and circus performances, all with free admission. These performances will offer a festive experience for the whole family throughout the day and free of charge.
Moshe Captain, CEO of Haifa Theater, said that "Over the years, the Haifa Theater's Children's Play Festival has become a significant cultural tradition for families from all over the country. This year we are especially proud to present new collaborations, diverse original productions and quality content, and to open the theater's doors to free musical performances that will bring quality culture to a wide audience."
Gama Fried, the festival's artistic director, added that "this year's festival emphasizes original, relevant and accessible work for today's children, while providing space for diversity, languages and different communities."
Important details
Dates: August 25–27, 2026
Theater District, Haifa
Ticket prices: 59–199 NIS