2018 Past Events

Open All Year Long

Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 PM until 4:00 PM *note new hours*
Admission and Parking are Free

After 69 years, all the Cottages are being asked to open on Saturdays, too. We are excited to be able to greet even more people!  However, we don’t always have volunteers. Please call in advance if you are coming specifically to the House of Israel on a Saturday.

School Field Trips

Fourth Tuesday of each month, 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM
Admission and Parking are Free

All of the International Cottages are open on the 4th Tueaday of each month for school field trips.  

Israel 70 Years of  Crafts and Design – opening April 21, 2018

The House of Israel is proud to exhibit “Israel 70 Years of Israeli and Design” in celebration of Israel’s 70th Anniversary (oh, and the 70th Anniversary of the HOUSE OF ISRAEL in BALBOA Park, too!)  The exhibit will be on display at the Mingei Museum through September 3,  2018.

This retrospective exhibition – a collaboration between the House of Israel and Mingei International Museum – will explore Israel’s innovative craft and design through the historical context of Israel’s melting pot. The show will include Yemenite jewelry, Bedouin textiles, contemporary fashion, industrial design, furniture, adornment that incorporate ancient materials, ceramics and other objects that will illustrate the special fusion of European and Arab influences embodied in Israel’s modern craft and design.

Earth Day – Sunday, April 22, 2018

House of Israel is closed – BUT……

The House of Israel is proud to exhibit ‘Israel’s Contribution to the Environment’.  Our over-sized exhibit will allow visitors to learn about Israel’s breakthrough technologies in water conservation and agriculture; at the end, the first 2000 guests will receive a tomato plant grown from Israeli seeds!  Earthday allows us to reach visitors that we don’t typically see on a Sunday afternoon, allowing many more to learn about the many Israeli innovations that contribute to a cleaner Earth.
Exhibits free 
9:00 AM until 5:00 PM
Location – Plaza De Panama, Balboa Park – right in the center of the Park!

Ethnic Food Fair – Sunday, May 27, 2018

Sunday – 12:00 until 5:00 PM
The House of Israel will feature Latkes, which are traditional potato pancakes, served with applesauce and/or sour cream, always a favorite!

Admission and Parking are Free

Hosted by the House of Pacific Relations, the Ethnic Food Fare features mouth-watering array of main dishes, appetizers, and beverages from each of our 32 International Cottages. From shwarma to bratwurst to egg rolls, you can taste delicacies from all over the world for a nominal price. And if that is not enough, we also feature arts, crafts, and entertainment from various participating countries.

Celebration of Israel! – Sunday June 17, 2018

“Lawn Program”
Israeli Food Served 11:00 PM until 4:00 PM
Stage Show 2:00 until 3:30 PM
Admission and Parking are Free
The House of Israel Lawn Program will feature festive songs and dances of Israel.  Lawn Programs are held on the House of Pacific Relations outdoor stage just outside the House of Israel.  Entertainment is free. Proceeds for food and refreshments support the House of Israel.

HPR International Christmas Festival – Friday, December 7 & Saturday, December 8,  2018
(AKA December Nights)

Admission is Free – There is a Parking Fee
Consider ride-sharing or shuttle.

House of Israel will serve traditional Israeli food and various spirits in the “Beer Garden”.

Balboa Park December Nights, the nation’s premier holiday festival, will take place for the 38th consecutive year on Friday night ,   5-10 pm, and Saturday, noon-10 pm.  As always, the event brings families and friends together to spread holiday joy, learn more about the cultural value of Balboa Park and kick-off the “most wonderful time of the year.” Participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9 pm both evenings and more than 300,000 visitors are expected to experience the joy of San Diego’s largest free community festival. Those who attend will participate in a truly multicultural experience, enjoying food, music and entertainment from around the world.

Sunday, December 9, 2018 – Post December Nights

We will be closed, as we will all be ”sleeping it off” after our big December Nights celebration!