The Darom Adom (Red South) or Darom Balev (South in the Heart) festival is starting. It is the largest nature festival in Israel and is held annually in the Northern Negev region to celebrate the blooming of millions of red anemone flowers.

This year the festival is scheduled to run from January 30th to February 28th 2026.

The festival is not held in one single spot but across several sites in the Eshkol, Shikma, and Besor regions. Key blooming locations and event sites include:

 * Shokeda Forest: One of the most famous spots for the "red carpets" of flowers.

 * Be'eri Forest: Known for its biking trails and massive flower concentrations.

 * Re'im Recreation Area: A popular site for families and picnics.

 * Pura Nature Reserve: Located in the northern part of the festival area, featuring diverse wildflowers.

 * HaBsor National Park (Eshkol Park): Often serves as a central hub for activities, markets, and guided tours.

 * Kibbutz Dorot: The starting point for the official Anemone March (scheduled for Friday 13th February).

 * Sharsheret-Nahal Gerar Park: The location for the Anemone Race (scheduled for Friday 20th February).

What can you do there?

Beyond viewing the flowers, the festival includes:

 * Outdoor Activities: Guided hikes, bicycle marathons, and the famous Anemone March on Friday 13th February from 8am to 2pm from Kibbutz Dorot. You can read more here: https://habsor.co.il/
 * Culinary Experiences: Farmers markets, food trucks, and Bedouin hospitality in the nearby city of Rahat.
 * Family Fun: Music performances, art workshops, and "GrooveTech" (a technology center in Eshkol for kids).
 * Markets: Local artists and farmers sell their produce and crafts on weekends.

Pro Tip: It is highly recommended to visit mid-week if possible. The area becomes extremely crowded at the weekends, leading to heavy traffic and packed trails.

If going to the festival by public transport, the train is the most convenient way to reach the region. Go to Sderot or Netivot. From these stations, you are very close to major sites like Shokeda Forest or Be'eri Forest. You can take a local bus toward the kibbutzim or a short taxi (available at the stations) to the flower fields.

Aim to arrive early (before 9:30am) to avoid the heavy traffic that builds up on the local roads leading to the forests.