Jewish holiday Lag BaOmer lights up Israel with bonfires and song, in photos
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
JERUSALEM (AP) — Lag BaOmer is a festive day in the Jewish calendar that brings communities together in celebration and shared tradition. It falls on the 33rd day of a 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot, and marks a pause during a period of mourning. Across Israel, the holiday is most visible through bonfires that light up the night, as families and friends gather outdoors to sing, share food, and spend time together.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children build bonfires in preparation for Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children build bonfires in preparation for Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, at the Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, at the Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, on Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, on Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, at the Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews dance around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, at the Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys prepare to light a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys prepare to light a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys are reflected in a window as they stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish boys are reflected in a window as they stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews are reflected in a window as they stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews are reflected in a window as they stand around a bonfire during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth stands next to bonfires during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth stands next to bonfires during Lag BaOmer, a holiday traditionally celebrated with bonfires, music, and gatherings, in Jerusalem, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate the holiday of Lag BaOmer, traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Netanya, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children build bonfires in preparation for Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children build bonfires in preparation for Lag BaOmer, a Jewish holiday traditionally marked by bonfire, music, and communal celebrations, in Bnei Brak, Israel, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
