
Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem
Traveler rating
3.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem worth booking?
Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem is a 10-hour experience in Jerusalem, Israel, from $129 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 3/5 (2)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $129 per person
One of the most memorable and unforgettable ways to celebrate the holiday season, this Christmas Eve in Bethlehem Tour for Midnight Mass is not to be missed. This tour will start in the Old City of Jerusalem, winding through the curved alleyways exploring the highlights including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa. Once in Bethlehem, the magical Christmas energy can be felt in the air, with the city decorated for the festivities with lights and banners. The tour will enjoy a festive holiday meal for dinner and a guided tour of Bethlehem with a local guide. Visit highlights like Shepherds’ Field & The Milk Grotto. The holiday spirit will really come to life in the last part of the tour where there will be free time in Manger Square and an opportunity to view Midnight Mass. The tour will then return to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem at the end of the evening. A guaranteed way to make new Christmas memories in the cities where it all began.
What you get
About this experience
One of the most memorable and unforgettable ways to celebrate the holiday season, this Christmas Eve in Bethlehem Tour for Midnight Mass is not to be missed. This tour will start in the Old City of Jerusalem, winding through the curved alleyways exploring the highlights including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa. Once in Bethlehem, the magical Christmas energy can be felt in the air, with the city decorated for the festivities with lights and banners. The tour will enjoy a festive holiday meal for dinner and a guided tour of Bethlehem with a local guide. Visit highlights like Shepherds’ Field & The Milk Grotto. The holiday spirit will really come to life in the last part of the tour where there will be free time in Manger Square and an opportunity to view Midnight Mass. The tour will then return to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem at the end of the evening. A guaranteed way to make new Christmas memories in the cities where it all began.
What's included
Included
- Dinner
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What you'll see and do
Sanctuary Bethlehem
Arrive to the historic city of Bethlehem where the Christmas spirit can be felt in the air Eat a festive dinner in Bethlehem Begin the guided tour in Bethlehem including the Shepherds’ Field & The Milk Grotto Arrive to Manger Square and see the Christmas tree and view Midnight Mass in Manger Square
360 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Jerusalem
Pick up in front of the hotel at 16:00 PM
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Pick up in front of the hotel at 16:00 PM
Options you can book
Christmas Eve in Bethlehem & Jerusalem
Christmas Eve in Bethlehem
Christmas Eve in Bethlehem
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Thu
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tourist Israel
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Passport required
- Warm clothes strongly recommended
- The tour enters Bethlehem and is therefore not suitable for those traveling on Israeli passport
- Bethlehem departure time is set at 02:00 AM. Please do not be late
Photos






Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Avoid and save yourself the unpleasantness and disappointment
Gifted this tour and was incredibly disappointed. Late start. No answer at the number listed for emergencies... Did not include the promised itinerary; Bethlehem had no Christmas decorations at all; no room for tourists in the churches visited--they were already full to capacity. The celebratory meal was fine and the hotel booked by the agency was fine. But the main attractions-NIL. And I did call in advance and ask if Bethlehem would be safe and functioning and was reassured it would be.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback. I truly regret that your experience did not meet expectations. Due to the current conflict in the region, there have been unavoidable adjustments. Despite our best efforts, it seems these challenges impacted your visit, and for that, I sincerely apologize. We reassured you about safety and functionality based on the latest updates, but I understand how disappointing it must have been to find Bethlehem unprepared and the churches full. This season is meant to be special, and I deeply regret we couldn’t deliver the experience you deserved. Your concerns are being addressed with our team to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Sincerely, Tourist Israel
via Tripadvisor
Not what we expected, but an experience to be sure!
This tour was not completely what I expected, but I am very glad I experienced Christmas in Jerusalem. This tour made it logistically easy and I always felt safe, so I recommend it. I learned a great deal and am glad I did it. It was not 100% positive, but given the options, I would do it again. Positives: - Comfortable buses - Great guides - A long tour that covers a lot of ground! We saw the highlights of the old city as well as got to visit Bethlehem. - We felt safe - We were fed in a festive, large banquet hall Surprises and Possible improvements - Communication was minimal - we were running late, and the person answering the phone at the tour company was not well-informed or informative. Three-quarters of our family jumped out of our car in traffic and sprinted to the meeting point, unsure if my husband would be able to get out of traffic, park and get to the bus in time. Upon arrival, we found a band of fellow travelers milling about, no guides, no signs, no directions. Finally a bus arrived and my husband made it. Possible improvements include (1) sending instructions on parking and traffic in Jerusalem. Having just arrive that day, we did not know. To this day, I have no idea if the 2am walk from the drop-off point to the parking garage was safe. (2) having a better informed person to answer tour-goers queries. We were hardly alone in running late due to traffic. - There were several tour buses full of people on this tour. They left Bethlehem for Jerusalem and Tel Aviv every half hour starting at midnight until 2am, and you could choose the time to leave. Had I known, I would have been more likely to have my youngest son stay with us. The information I received stated that the return bus was at 2am, which would have been too late for him. - I contacted the tour company ahead of time to try to secure a car and driver to bring my son and husband home around 9pm. They said they did not offer this service. I separately hired a limo service to drive them from our festive dinner back to Jerusalem. Once on the tour, the guides said they could arrange something easily, but it was too late by then. Again, whoever answers email at the tour company is not as well-informed as could be. - There was no tour in Bethlehem. We arrived about 2 hours before midnight mass and were left to wander Manger Square. - There was not much to do in Manger Square, and tight security around it, so you couldn't really go anywhere else. All there was to do was shop at the tourist shops that ringed the square. It was much more commercial than expected. There was one large manger scene on display, but little else. No music, no history, just lights and shops and people selling corn on the cob and coffee. - Young, male Palestinians enjoy Christmas Eve in Manager Square likely because it brings lots of people into town. However, they are far from "woke" when it comes to dealing with young American women. Small groups of young men felt quite free to scan my daughter's body head to toe making her extremely uncomfortable and upset. She had a long sleeve jacket on, flowing pants, sneakers and a modest top. To "escape" we went into one of the shops where she proceeded to ask me to buy her a shawl that she covered herself with the rest of the night. I travel internationally a lot, so this was not entirely new to me, but it was extreme and frightening to a girl who has not traveled as widely. - Midnight mass was said in a church we could not access, which we knew. There was one jumbo screen on which the proceedings were shown. However, there was very poor sound and thus it was not engaging. As I mentioned, this was different than what I expected; however, it was an authentic experience reflecting the current historical and political reality in which Bethlehem currently resides. While it wasn't what I expected, it was very educational and I am glad I didn't miss it. The night ended with the guide on the bus ride home telling us that the census that was supposed to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem didn't happen for 100 years after Jesus's birth, throwing the authenticity of the site of his birth into question. This was icing on the odd experience of spending Christmas Eve on a tour of the place Jesus was born.
Response from the operator: Hi 1636kristenv, thank you so much for your feedback. We're glad to hear that despite some setbacks you enjoyed your tour in Jerusalem and spending Christmas Eve in Bethlehem. It's really an amazing once in a lifetime experience that we hope all of our guests that night appreciated as much as you did! We also truly appreciate your suggestions for improvement and will take them into consideration when planning next the tour for next Christmas, especially your points on communication, bus options, and filling time between dinner and midnight mass. We also do apologize that your daughter felt uncomfortable, we strive to make sure all of our tourists feel safe with us and we would not allow anything to happen - as you said the culture may be very different to someone who hasn't been to the region before and this can sometimes be a shock when others' behavior is not familiar. As you said, accessing midnight mass was not included in the tour, it is not something we can guarantee as tickets sell out far in advance, and we also, unfortunately, cannot control the screen and sound system for the broadcast. We are glad you still enjoyed seeing and experiencing what it is like to be in Bethlehem on Christamas and it seemed like you learned a lot of interesting facts from your guide as well!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Thu
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Tourist Israel, who run 21 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.3.
See everything Tourist Israel runsWhy this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Jerusalem.
How much does Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem cost?
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Prices start at $129 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Jerusalem usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Jerusalem is not rushed.
Is Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Jerusalem, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Jerusalem can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Jerusalem and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Jerusalem within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Jerusalem?
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On Outty we rank every Jerusalem experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Jerusalem Boutique Tour from Tel Aviv, Travel to Bethlehem Half Day Guided Tour from Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Dead Sea Day Tour From Jerusalem. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Jerusalem?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Jerusalem?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem?
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Included: Dinner; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem?
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Pick up in front of the hotel at 16:00 PM Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Jerusalem. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What booking options are available for Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Midnight Mass) from Jerusalem?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Christmas Eve in Bethlehem & Jerusalem, Christmas Eve in Bethlehem. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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