Palm Sunday: signifying the beginning of Holy Week, Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant procession into Jerusalem, when he was hailed as Messiah. Jerusalem is host to a procession from Bethany to the Old City, where pilgrims then attend Sunday services at various churches. There are separate Orthodox and Roman Catholic celebrations, which do not always fall on the same day.

Holy Week: Holy Week falls between Palm Sunday and Easter, when Christians remember the events of Jesus’ last days. Visitors can attend numerous services and liturgies at the city’s churches including the Holy Sepulchre’s foot-washing ceremony and the Way of the Cross procession.

Easter: the most important festival of the year for Christians, this is when worshippers remember the resurrection of Christ. The Holy Sepulchre hosts religious services for each of the denominations, with separate Orthodox and Roman Catholic ceremonies taking place.

Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day): held on the 28th of lyar, according to the Jewish Calendar. It is held in remembrance of Israel’s victory in the 1967 Six Day War; this day is mainly celebrated by secular, Jewish and national religious Israelis and there is some controversy attached to it. Events include a march from the Kiryat Moshe to the Western Wall in the Old City and free public concerts.

Israel Festival: this national festival celebrates the country’s arts scene over a three-week period. Events include theatre, dance, opera, pop and classical music performances from both national and international artists

Lag B’Omer: held on the 33rd day between Pesach and Shavuot, this event remembers the one plague-free day during the Omer period of 135 AD. That year, the Omer period was overcome with locusts, with the exception of one day, which has now become a popular day for Israelis to hold their weddings on, while it is also a popular day to hold bonfire parties.

Jerusalem Film Festival: spanning 10 days and featuring numerous Israeli and international movies, this is one of the city’s major arts events. The festival’s award ceremonies are well covered by the media, increasing the event’s popularity each year.

Tischa B’Av: held on the 9th of Av according to the Hebrew calendar. This is a fast commemorating the destruction of the two Temples, which marked the start of a 2,000-year period of exile for Jews from Jerusalem. Worshippers gather at the Western Wall in the Old City, which was once part of the Second Temple.

Rosh Hashana: also known as Jewish New Year. This two-day event is the start of a 10-day period when Jews ask for forgiveness prior to Yom Kippur. Special foods are eaten during this time, while Jews also participate in a symbolic ritual to symbolise throwing away their sins.

Hutzot Hayotzer: this arts and crafts event provides the perfect opportunity for visitors to pick up souvenirs and crafts. It is held at the Sultan's Pool and in the parkland which surrounds it. Visitors to the fair have 10 days to cover the 150 craft stands.

The Feast of Tabernacles: held in mid to late October, this is one of the three times in the year that Jews make a trip to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Both international and Israeli visitors gather together to participate in seminars about the Bible and to visit Jerusalem’s religious sites.

Ramadan: the most important period of the year for Muslims, this is the holy month in the Islamic calendar, when Muslim worshippers fast from dawn to dusk.

Eid al Fitr: the three-day festival that marks the end of Ramadan sees much feasting and celebrating as well as praying, visiting family and gift-giving.

Christmas: the Christmas period attracts thousands of Christians to the city as well as to nearby Bethlehem. Festivities include the Christmas Eve procession of the Latin Patriarch from Jerusalem to the Church of the Nativity. Choir singing takes place at Manger Square and a Roman Catholic Mass is held at the Church of St Catherine.

Chanukah: one of the biggest events of the year for Jews, this seven-day festival is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. Families gather together, exchange gifts and light candles on Menorah, symbolising the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.