After being postponed from its traditional Passover date following the Roaring Lion War, the Haifa International Festival of Children's Plays returns this year with a special summer edition. The 36th festival, one of the cultural events most closely associated with the city of Haifa and the world of children in Israel, will open tomorrow (Tuesday, August 25, 2026) and will last for three days of creativity, performances, and activities for the whole family throughout the Haifa Theater, Benjamin Park, and other locations in the city.
Haifa Theater Children's Play Festival • A multicultural theatrical celebration for the whole family
Festive tribute: Kishkashta and the stars of the educational program return to the stage
For details and to purchase tickets, click here.
One of the festival's highlights will be the tribute show "Dash from Kishkeshta," marking 60 years of educational television. The show will bring together on one stage the stars who have become an inseparable part of the childhoods of generations of Israelis: Nira Rabinovich, Tzipi Mor, Sari Tzuriel, Mickey Kam, Hani Nachmias, Ido Mosseri and Tal Mosseri. They will be joined by Niv Shitrit ("Kupa Rashith") and the actors of the musical "Haifait" by the Haifa Theater, directed by Ido HaCohen.
This will be a meeting between generations: parents and grandparents will get a new glimpse into the world of their childhood, while today's children will meet for the first time the characters, songs, and magic that made education a cornerstone of Israeli culture.
Official competition, original productions and guest performances
For details and to purchase tickets, click here.
The festival will focus on the official competition, which will feature five new original productions created especially for the event. Alongside the competing productions, nine guest performances from Israel's best theaters will be staged, including plays in Arabic and Russian and productions adapted for children with special needs.
The organizers note that this year, special emphasis was placed on making cultural events accessible to the general public and on creating a comprehensive urban experience, combining quality performances in theaters with free activities in the public space.
Celebration on the streets of Central Carmel
Alongside the performances in the halls, free outdoor events will be held daily in the Haifa Theater Plaza and in Benjamin Park. The audience will be able to enjoy colorful street performances, music performances, plays open to the general public, interactive displays and a host of activities that will fill the Carmel Center with a particularly festive atmosphere.
Among the notable shows: "Cloud on a Stick", "Children of the Wooden House", "Hive for Children" and many other shows that will appeal to a wide audience of children and families.
New artistic management
The festival is being held for the first time this year under the management of Moshe Captain, CEO and Artistic Director of Haifa Theater, who leads the current edition with an emphasis on innovation, accessibility, and connection between generations.
The screen goes up.
From August 25 to 27, 2026, Haifa's theater district will become a hub of children's culture, imagination, and creativity. After months of postponement and waiting, the festival returns, and at center stage will await Kishkashta, the stars of the educational program, and the memories of an entire Israeli childhood.
It seems hard to find a better reason to come to Haifa tomorrow.